Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsi Grove.
Hi Kelsi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Looking back on my life from where I am now, I can see how I ended up listening to people for a living. I remember listening to a friend in elementary school who didn’t know anyone else with divorced parents. I remember listening to my best friend’s heartbreak in our adolescence. I remember listening to my roommate in college who’s boyfriend was in crisis and no one knew what to do. It’s been a beautiful through line of my life, listening. And it’s taught me the value of being able to turn yourself inside out with someone who’s not there to judge, blame or shame. When I realized I could build a career out of being that person, the wheels started turning. I think that’s the TLDR version of how I got here. Of course in the midst there was 3 years of grad school, odd jobs, identity crises, and more free labor than I care to recall. From here, however, none of it seems accidental. I’ve been building to this long before I knew I was.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m not sure if most people know this but all of the sessions you provide as a therapy intern in graduate school are unpaid. If you don’t meet your minimum required hours (several hundred depending on the state) by the end of that term, you don’t graduate and continue to pay for credit hours to complete your internship. As you can imagine, that makes balancing a life pretty difficult. Especially when your landlord doesn’t accept goodwill for rent. This is where the aforementioned odd jobs came in – over the course of my master’s program I worked as a dog walker, dance teacher, assistant collegiate dance team coach, career center GA, transcriptor, essay editor, neuropsych office assistant and team lead at a local tea and juice bar (RIP T.Loft). I’m sure I’m forgetting a few. Having worked since I was 15, it wasn’t the odd jobs that were a struggle though. It was the mental load that we carry as emerging mental health professionals trying to hone our craft while simultaneously calling into question everything we know about ourselves. This career demands that. It’s as taxing as it sounds. Post-grad, I was enormously lucky to meet the savvy businesswoman who became my supervisor and who taught me the ins and outs of running a private practice – literally none of which you learn in graduate school. Even with a fantastic mentor, I’ve made expensive mistakes (hello? who knew about estimated taxes?), revised and re-revised policies, and moved offices a handful of times. Starting my 7th year in practice and in business, I think I’ve finally learned to expect the unexpected. Maybe that’ll make for smoother sailing in the future.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) licensed in KS and MO. I started my private practice, Grove Counseling, back in 2019. I’m always learning and trying to niche down, but as of now I’d say I specialize in folks who feel like the way they’ve been doing life just isn’t working anymore. They are likely struggling with a really active inner critic, have difficulty knowing what they need/asking for it, and generally feel stuck. I’d say the bread and butter of my work with people is increasing insight, accessing self-compassion and actually using that insight and self-compassion to do things differently. My approach is equally relational (meaning I let my humanity in the room and see it as vital to doing good work) and practical (skills, education, goal-setting, etc.). I believe my strength lies in my gentle and curious nature. I am enthralled with peoples’ stories and inner worlds. I believe humans are good at their core and this inherently colors how I sit with people in a room. You’ll have a hard time convincing me you’re as terrible as the voice inside your head says you are, and I think people need at least one person who can say that to them and mean it. On the side I teach reformer pilates at a local studio called Hite and this has been such a fun, fresh way to connect with people in the wellness space. My favorite class to teach is sculpt & stretch, where I get to combine my expertise in mental health and movement. Also my dog Finn comes to work me most days, so that’s cool.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
Sitting on the covered porch with my dog, Jasmine, during thunderstorms. Tied with slow, sleepy Summer mornings at my grandma’s house watching The Price is Right on the tiny TV on top of their fridge. Three-way tied with any time I got to perform (former competition dancer here).
Pricing:
- Standard 52 minute session: $130
- 30 minute session: $100
- In network with UHC
- In network with BCBS
Contact Info:
- Website: https://grovecounselingllc.com
- Instagram: @grovecounseling
