Get to Know Kelsey Stout
How did I get into this career?
When I was a sophomore in high school, I started seeing a counselor and to this day, I remember the difference that counseling made in my life. I looked forward to going to counseling because, even though it was one of the hardest things I had ever done, I knew it was making a noticeable difference in how I saw myself and how I learned to cope.
Seeing a counselor and more specifically experiencing the healing that occurred in my life is what led me to pursue a career in the counseling field. I graduated from the University of Georgia where I majored in psychology. From there, I received a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a certificate in Trauma Counseling from Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta.
While at Richmont, I discovered I had a passion for working with clients who have experienced complex or acute trauma. I enjoy educating on the effects of trauma and how despite its mental, emotional, and physical effects on our mind, body, and spirit, there is still hope and the opportunity for healing. As a counseling provider, my desire is to lead my clients through the therapy process, so they can experience the same feeling of hope and healing my counselor gave me.
What is my favorite thing about counseling?
My favorite thing about counseling is the privilege of being invited to be a part of clients’ stories and their healing journey. My clients’ strength and resilience inspires and humbles me on a daily basis.
I love learning about the human mind and body…and how resilient we are. Trauma, whether it’s big “T” or little “t” trauma, is pervasive in our world, and yet very few people know and understand how trauma impacts their behaviors on a day-to-day basis. What this means for clients who work with me is we will dive into the “how and why” you learned to cope the way you did. From there, we will work together to identify unhealthy coping behaviors that are no longer serving you and replace them with healthier skills. There is something so beautiful and powerful to witness when someone has an epiphany and understands the reasoning and “the why” behind their behaviors.
What do I like to do when I’m not at Atlanta Wellness Collective?
I love spending time with my kids and my husband. I love to spend time with friends and family, and this is how I get reenergized. I also love being outside in the sun, doing DIY projects around the house, or cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs in the fall.
What do I hope for my clients?
I strive to create an environment free of judgment and full of warmth and unconditional acceptance. I also pride myself on encouraging and motivating my clients throughout the therapeutic journey. Typically, this looks like helping my clients celebrate the small wins they achieve on a day-to-day basis and practicing self-care. My hope is clients leave therapy feeling empowered and proud of each step they take in their healing process. The goal is for my client to feel emboldened to develop and maintain healthy boundaries in their life, effectively communicate their wants and needs with others, and finally to no longer feel triggered or defined by past traumatic experiences. The hope is for clients to no longer go through life merely surviving but for them to THRIVE in all areas.
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