Chelsea holds a professional license in clinical social work and is working toward her LCSW. She is a Certified Positive Parent Educator (Positive Discipline) and has additional specialty training in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Internal Family Systems (IFI), and Trauma Informed Care. Chelsea utilizes an eclectic approach when working with individuals by pulling from a range of evidenced based therapeutic orientations such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Play therapy. Her passion for mental health was ignited when teaching 2nd and 5th grade in the public school system. Noticing the impact of emotional turmoil in children’s learning, social experiences, family relationships, and general wellbeing, she elected to pursue a degree in clinical social work from Kennesaw State University so she would be better suited to support families impacted by these challenges.

 

Chelsea believes that solving emotional hardships begins with understanding the whole person, including their developmental stage, family system, and life experiences. She enjoys working with parents and families to establish appropriate expectations, maximize positive communication, and support healthy attachment within the household. She also offers avenues of advocacy outside of the home and family unit. Chelsea has experience working with children and parents of divorce, adoption, high conflict households, school aged individuals who are gifted/highly intelligent, twice exceptional individuals (specifically ADHD and other neurodivergences), and individuals struggling with specific phobias, high anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and are highly sensitive/empathic.

 

Prior to Art It Out, Chelsea gained experience at Pathways Transitions Program, Inc. where she provided individual therapy and crisis support for families and individuals in home and school-based settings.  Here, she collaborated with DFCS and foster care programs to serve at-risk youth and their families looking to overcome trauma and other complex barriers interrupting their path to wellbeing.  From this experience, Chelsea has become comfortable working with individuals from all walks of life with a range of needs.