Hello and welcome! My name is Kelli Means and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a licensed independent mental health practitioner (LIMHP) and licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) in the state of Nebraska and a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of South Dakota. In 2019 I earned certification as a Certified Clinical Trauma Therapist and have maintained this certification with ongoing education in the trauma field. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2011 and my Masters of Science from Wayne State College in Community Mental Health Counseling in 2015. I have worked in the mental health field for 10 years and the past 6 years have been as a mental health and addictions therapist at non-profit agencies that work with state funding and/or sliding fee scales.
I have worked in a variety of settings, including an inpatient psychiatric unit while attending my master’s program, outpatient therapy, school-based therapy, and residential drug and alcohol treatment. I have found that my heart is truly in working with patients who have limited resources to meet their needs. While I have experience with children and adolescents, most of my experience has been working with adults. As a provider, I have worked with patients with a range of diagnoses and stressors, including (but not limited to): depression, anxiety, panic/panic attacks, schizophrenia (including first psychotic episodes), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, PTSD and trauma, LGBT+, grief/loss, relationships, sex trafficking, self-esteem, domestic violence, alcohol and other drug addictions, and dissociations.
My counseling style is welcoming and conversational. I am known for being upfront and honest always and blunt when needed, though I tailor my approach to meet each individual’s needs. My therapeutic approach combines Person-Centered, Reality Therapy, Solution-Focused therapist, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, and Somatic therapy depending on what you want or need.
My job will never be to fix you or change you. I believe all my clients are people first and more than the sum of their symptoms or their diagnosis. My most significant job as a therapist is to understand who you are and build trust with you; if you don’t trust your therapist, you aren’t likely to tell them much, and if you don’t tell them much, you won’t get much work done. My hope is to teach you to cope on your own and learn to be assertive with what you want or need in life. You are in control of your life and ability to make changes, I am merely a guide to help you when you are lost or uncertain.
I look forward to meeting you and starting this journey with you!
Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, LGBT, Relationship issues, Grief, Anger management, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Antisocial personality, BDSM, kink, and alternative sex culture, Codependency, Communication problems, Coping with natural or human-caused disaster, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Fertility issues, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Immigration issues, Isolation / loneliness, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Mood disorders, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Polyamory / non-monogamous relationships, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Prejudice and discrimination, Process addiction (porn, exercise, gambling), Self-harm, Self-love, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Women's issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Somatic Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
SD LPC LPC20743
NE LIMHP 1990
LA LPC 10086
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Kelli Means. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
I have really enjoyed having Kelli as my therapist, we have been together on and off for over two years. She has good insight, and helps me.
Written on Dec 17, 2024 after therapy with Kelli for 3 years and 1 month on issues concerning depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, and self esteem
Kelli is absolutely amazing! So kind, helpful, and understanding.
Written on Aug 21, 2024 after therapy with Kelli for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, and self esteem
So far, Kelli has been amazing. I was nervous about therapy, but she has made it very easy. I appreciate how she validates my point of view, but also offers another point of view in a non-judgemental, educational way.
Written on Aug 19, 2024 after therapy with Kelli for 2 weeks on issues concerning relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and adhd
Best therapist I’ve ever encountered. Her outlook on treatment and a multi faceted psychology approach. There are not words to express how thankful I am to her.
Written on Jan 18, 2024 after therapy with Kelli for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Creative & Clever. Asks questions & allows me to express my feelings
Written on Oct 28, 2023 after therapy with Kelli for 3 weeks on issues concerning adhd
Kelli is an amazing listener,
She understands my concerns and is great at making sure I feel heard, and have ways to move forward toward my goals.
Written on Jul 18, 2023 after therapy with Kelli for 10 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, and parenting issues