About Dr. Kelsey Ellis, Ph.D., LCP
Hi there! I’m Dr. Ellis - grab a cup of coffee, let’s talk. ☕️
If you’re here, there’s probably a part of you that’s tired of carrying so much on your own. Maybe you’ve been holding it together for everyone else, but inside it feels like you’re running on fumes. I get it - it’s exhausting trying to keep showing up when you’re running on empty.
When we work together, my goal isn’t to “fix” you or throw a bunch of strategies at you. You’ve probably had enough of people telling you what to do. I want to understand what it’s really like to be you right now, and together we’ll figure out what actually helps. Therapy with me feels more like a conversation - sometimes deep, sometimes light, but always real.
You won’t find rigid homework or one-size-fits-all solutions here. Instead, we’ll tailor our work to meet your needs in a way that feels meaningful.
My Approach
I believe therapy works best when it feels safe, genuine, and collaborative. My role isn’t to tell you what to do - it’s to walk alongside you as we explore what’s been getting in the way of feeling like yourself. I take time to really listen and understand your story, because our work only makes sense when it’s rooted in your lived experience.
Here’s how I try to show up:
✻ A collaborative space. Your voice - your experiences, your pace, your needs - guides our work together.
✻ Relational and trauma-informed care. I pay attention to patterns and feelings not just in your life, but also in the therapeutic process itself, because sometimes the way we relate reflects deeper needs for healing and connection.
✻ Flexible and individualized methods. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all therapy. Depending on what feels right for you, we may explore insight, self-awareness, skills-building, or coping strategies - whatever supports growth in your life.
✻ Compassion + Clarity. I aim to create a grounded, kind, and clear-headed environment where honesty, growth, and human complexity are welcomed.
✻ Focus on empowerment. My hope is that through our work together, you’ll begin to trust yourself more deeply - your instincts, your truth, your healing journey.
Therapy with me is about more than just symptom relief - it’s about helping you feel more grounded, connected, and confident in your own life.
Credentials & Background
✻ Education: Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, Virginia Consortium Program in Clinical Psychology
✻ License: Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Commonwealth of Virginia (LCP #0810008505)
✻ Specialties: Women’s Mental Health, Veterans & Military Populations, Trauma & PTSD, Anxiety & Burnout, Postpartum & Motherhood, Relationships & Self-Connection
✻ Therapeutic Approach: Relational, trauma-informed, attachment-based, insight-oriented, and cognitive-behavioral.
✻ Experience: Trained in evidence-based and relational approaches, with a focus on tailoring therapy to each client’s unique needs, goals, and lived experiences. My work integrates research-backed methods with genuine human connection to support meaningful, lasting change.
A Little About Me
Outside of the therapy room, I’m a mom of two high-energy boys - which means my days are a mix of snack negotiations, coffee refills, and trying to remember where I set my phone down (again). I know firsthand what’s it’s like to love your people deeply and still crave five quiet minutes to yourself. Motherhood has taught me a lot about patience, perspective, and the beauty of lowering the bar sometimes.
When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me reading (sometimes the same chapter twice because, well, kids). I love exploring museums with my little ones, getting lost in a good documentary, and sneaking outside for a breath of fresh air. Those small moments of curiosity and quiet help me recharge and reconnect.
I don’t believe therapists need to be a blank slate. I show up as a real person - thoughtful, present, and human - because therapy works best when it feels genuine. My hope is that our work together feels authentic and collaborative, where you can be yourself and know you’re not alone in figuring things out.