I am a Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years experience with assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. My educational foundation include such theories as, family systems, psychodynamic, free association, and strength based concepts. The first ten years of my career focused on suicide assessment, and trauma treatment of children ages 4-17. Many of these children had severe mental illness and came from abusive homes, and from a diverse population all over the Detroit, MI area. I worked for many different community mental health agencies as well as school systems throughout this time.
I wanted to join the Army after college, but was told by an Army recruiter that I would not pass the physical test due to a bad knee. After some time and investigation, I decided to join the Army as an Officer and Social Worker. The next ten years of my Active Duty career would focus on suicide risk assessment, and trauma treatment of Soldiers and their families. The military wanted a solution focused approach to treatment of Soldiers, and I would eventually adapt to this support using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy concepts to treat nightmares and sleep. I was also trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy as evidence based approach for PTSD treatment.
My style is calm, collected, and perceptive. I have accurate empathy to offer, and practice with respect and dignity and privacy. I will go at your pace, but will not bullshit you about what needs to happen for change. Change comes through the relationship, and this is not the same as advice you can get from a friend.
Social Work is a purpose for me, not just a job or means to some other end. I want to thank you all ahead of time for giving me the chance to know you, letting me into the most vulnerable places of your life!
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and foster care, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant personality, Blended family issues, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Gender dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Intellectual disability, Life purpose, Veteran and Armed Forces Issues, Mood disorders, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Personality disorders, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Sexual assault and abuse, Sexuality, Smoking / vaping cessation, Social anxiety and phobia, Women's issues, Young adult issues
Clinical approaches: Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Psychodynamic Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, Internal Family Systems
MI LMSW 6801086659
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Kelly Drake. 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.
She is a very good therapist and talker. We talked about situations of my life an how some things have happened. Regrets and more but she listened and provided feed back without ever sounding rude or condescending. She is great an I would highly recommend her to anyone else!
Written on Feb 26, 2023 after therapy with Kelly for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, and self esteem
Kelly is great to talk through issues with. She helped me with numerous family issues and has been invaluable.
Written on Jan 04, 2023 after therapy with Kelly for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, and family conflicts
Awesome
Written on Nov 09, 2022 after therapy with Kelly for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, sleeping disorders, self esteem, and anger management
Kelly is awesome, she is extremely good at her job. She I very understanding
Written on Nov 04, 2022 after therapy with Kelly for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, and adhd
Kelly is an outstanding therapist. I have tried therapists in the past but Kelly seems to just get it. Kind, intelligent, 5 stars. Wonderful experience....
Written on Aug 26, 2022 after therapy with Kelly for 4 weeks on issues concerning lgbt
Kelly does a great job balancing giving advice and prompting independent problem-solving and self-reflection. She is knowledgeable and helpful with a ride range of topics.
Written on Mar 02, 2022 after therapy with Kelly for 1 month on issues concerning lgbt, relationship issues, and grief