Kelly is sitting on a chair smiling at the camera with her arms crossed causally. She is wearing a blue sweater and black jeans and smiles openly at the camera. She is surrounding by two plants.

Kelly Keys, LCSW-C

“A friend is one of the best things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.” -Winnie the Pooh

She/Her/Hers

University of Maryland School of Social Work, 2016/Clinical Social Work, Children and Families

Not accepting new clients or keeping a waitlist at this time.

What’s therapy with me like? I focus on depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, and interpersonal relationships utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), person-centered, and family therapy modalities.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy focuses on the client’s thoughts, feelings and behaviors and provides insight into the connection between these three entities as well as their impact on one another. Dialectical Behavior Therapy, like CBT,

aims to give clients skills to regulate emotions, improve relationships, handle stress, and live mindfully, focusing heavily on acceptance of emotions rather than the elimination of them, establishing a balance. Family Therapy provides a look inside family dynamics with the goal to improve communication, define roles, develop healthy boundaries, conflict resolution, and examine personal/familial strengths/challenges.

How I’ve kept learning…I am an avid listener of Brene Brown’s TedTalks and her podcast; I aspire to reach her level of skill. I am also frequently researching generational trauma and family background/dynamics, specifically in the Baltimore area; I read books/things like “The Long Shadow.”

Who do I work with? I specialize and prefer to work with children 5-10, adolescents, teenagers and young adults as well as families.

My impacting identities are… I am a cisgender, straight, white single female. I do not actively practice any specific religion, but would consider myself a spiritual person. I grew up in a very small, homogenous town in New Jersey, with little to no diversity. Though I grew up in a very non-diverse community/environment, I’ve made it a priority throughout my career to create a therapeutic experience that allows for cultural humility, diversity, and awareness of my privilege. I am on my own personal mental health journey, as I am in therapy for treatment of anxiety and depression.

I feel allied/aware/part of/informed/knowledgeable about… LGBTQIA+ (allied, knowledgeable), trauma survivors (knowledgeable), underserved, low-income populations (knowledgeable, informed).

I am the best fit for a client who…is willing and open to the challenging and vulnerable, but beautiful journey that is exploring/bettering overall mental health. I most enjoy working with clients who can appreciate humor and straight-forwardness, as I often approach the therapeutic relationship with authenticity and acceptance.

I am not a good fit for a client who… is not willing to be vulnerable/authentic in sessions or who is unable to accept responsibility for their own treatment/growth.

What makes me unique? My willingness to meet clients where they are at, developmentally, emotionally and even sometimes physically (I am no stranger to sitting on the floor, making a mess with paint, arts/crafts, and helping clients express themselves in non-conventional ways). I also believe that the self-awareness related to my personal challenges and strengths provide a therapeutic experience built on honesty, authenticity and non-judgment to enable clients to feel safe and exist as their true selves.

The Practical Stuff

What insurances do I accept? I am in network with Carefirst BCBS and Evernorth (previously known as Cigna).

Do I offer telehealth or in person sessions? During Covid, I am offering teletherapy, and in person services, but ultimately prefer in person, especially with young children/adolescents.

Am I taking on new clients? Not accepting new clients or keeping a waitlist at this time.

The Fun Stuff

Did you know… As a senior in high school, a classmate and I developed a cupcake business that went on to win a 2nd place award in a state competition.

Any pets? Nope!

What I’ve Learned Lately

Managing Anxiety in Youth with ASD: Adaptations to Improve Treatment Access, Transformation Education Institute, 2020
Implicit Bias: Understanding, Identifying and Addressing It, Erin N. Winkler, 2020
Let’s Get Regulated: Non-Directive & Directive Play Therapy Interventions for Children, Kristian Owens; Transformation Education Institute, 2020
Teletherapy with Clients of Color: Cultural Considerations & Ethics Through a Social Justice Lens, Xanthia Johnson & Kristian Owens; Transformation Education Institute, 2020
Transitioning Strategies for New Social Workers, University of Maryland School of Social Work, 2021
Family Engagement Workshop, Lorice M. Parker; Transformation Education Institute, 2021
Ethics & risk Management in Telehealth: Standards for Social Work, Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC, 2021
Anti-racism Training, Dr. Nathalie Edmond, April 2022
The Call to Courage, Brene Brown, May 2022
All About the I: Intersex Inclusion, Matthew Malouf, PhD & Katharine Dalke, MD, June 2022
Gender Affirming Surgery Letter Writing Training, Tavi Hawn, LCSW-C, July 2022
Sometimes Therapy Is Awkward, Nicole Arzt, August 2022
The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients, Irvin Yalom, September 2022
Supporting LGBTQIA+ Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence, Jocelyn Broadwick, Training Institute Project Coordinator of House of Ruth Maryland, October 2022
Neurodiversity Training, Eddie Lomash, LCPC, November 2022
Harm Reduction & Narcan Training, Emily Lamoreaux, January 2023
“The Origins of You: How Breaking Family Patterns Can Liberate the Way We Live and Love”, a book authored by Vienna Pharaon, February 2023

How to Give me A Buzz

The best way to contact me is…by email to k.keys@honeybwellness.com