Therapists in Kearney, NE

I care deeply about people. I believe we all need a space that is just for us to talk about the things that go on inside our heads. I was put on this Earth to help people and to untangle their thoughts. Maybe I can help you? I know asking for help and seeking counseling can be scary and I am here to help you through that so we can talk about why you are really here. The BetterHelp platform takes away some of that fear by allowing you the safety of your phone/tablet/computer screen. It’s a wonderful first step! I have experience working with drug/alcohol issues, depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, co-dependency, major mental health (although, BetterHelp may not always be the best platform for that), trauma, grief, and autism. I am an independent licensed mental health practitioner (LIMHP) in Nebraska. I am also a national certified counselor (NCC), which requires me to hold a high standard of ethics in my field. I am also a registered play therapist, which through my studies and experience has taught me about child development and attachment which can be helpful in many scenarios. It has also taught me how to have joy in my own life and play. My counseling style is non-judgmental, affirming, and warm. I’ve worked with many different kinds of people and they’ve all had amazing stories to share. I am a good listener and I am a problem-solver by nature. I genuinely care about people because we are all on this Earth together, so we should be able to help each other be successful. I can’t wait to get started in helping you find hope, joy, and balance in your life. Everyone struggles from time to time and I am so happy you have come here for help. You are so brave.

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!

I hope as you read my profile, you will know that if you decide to work with me, I will give you my respect, encouragement, and share my knowledge with you. Our sessions will be focused on finding solutions to your issues, whatever they might be. I am an independent licensed mental health counselor, and have worked in the field for over twenty years. During that time, I have worked with individuals, couples that are together, and couples that are separated. I have worked with families coping with addiction, and many individuals coping with mental health issues such as: depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, OCD, ADHD, to mention a few. Sometimes problems were precipitated by life changes such as : loss of loved one, health , financial issues, and work and family conflicts. My approach is client-centered which was Carl Rogers' approach, simply "make friends". I want my clients to feel emotionally safe and know that we are in this recovery together. We assess the problem and make the treatment plan together. I also use Reality Therapy which helps them assume responsibility for their choices and actions and as they learn this, make better decisions going forward. CBT and RET are two more modalities that I find useful. All these are helpful tools for clients, but I find it's important to teach clients the art of forgiveness for others and themselves, "acceptance ". Add a dose of humor now and then, and life feels much lighter and worth living!! Clients actually look forward to their sessions. I hope you'll consider coming in to work together. Degrees: BS, MS, Licenses: LMHP 1510, LIMHP 1233 State of Nebraska

I don’t see myself as a “therapist.” I see myself as support. Someone you can talk to. I want to help you find purpose and happiness in your life. You are struggling. I know you are. I want to help you find balance and be successful in your future. I have a strong desire to help people through therapy and education. I want to teach you the skills you need to help yourself. I have experience working with all different types of symptoms. I like to get to know people. I like when people get their “ah-ha” moment—when they light up and figure it out. You will do the work, and I will get to be there for it. That’s why I do what I do. I have experience in many different areas of clinical work. I volunteered in a hospice clinic for about one year. I was able to sit next to people in their final moments. Working with those families was the most rewarding experience because I got to be there with the people they love when they couldn’t. Working people who impacted by death and dying is my truest passion. I have almost two years’ experience working at an addiction center/homeless center working with individuals and running groups. This is not my passion, but I met several colleagues, and I learned a ton about myself as a therapist and as a person here. I worked at a therapy agency for three years. I worked with families, survivors of abuse, and children. I used trauma-focused processed to help my clients manage symptoms and develop healthy coping skills to thrive. I decided to leave this agency because it also wasn’t my passion. Additionally, I wanted to be home more to be with my family. My therapy approach is non-judgmental, kind, gentle, and goal driven. I can help you help you see both sides of any situation and find the answers you already have inside of you, by listening and helping you to be rational. I will help you keep moving and growing in your life. I can help you acknowledge good and bad feelings and validate them. I will also teach you to accept them as feelings and not fact. Together, we can sort this out.

I am a therapist that will meet you where you are at, walking at your pace and encouraging in each step of your path. I strongly believe that Jesus makes miracles every day, touches lives for a better life, and always works in the favor of His children. I believe that my calling is to help each individual with genuine care, respect and dignity. I believe that in order to avoid substance abuse and mental/emotional health relapse one must address the triggers, patterns, and trauma that caused the maladaptive coping skill. I enjoy so much witnessing how children, adolescents, and families achieve their dreams of finding safety, harmony, stability and fulfillment in their lives.

Wounds from the past directly impact our current behaviors, beliefs, and feelings. I work with adults individually to assist them in determining the root experiences that led to their current challenges, and repar the negative beliefs and unpleasant emotions associated with them. I am an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Certified provider, and you can trust that the healing of your wounds is in competent hands. If you find yourself stuck repeating past unhelpful behaviors, patterns of thought, or ongoing emotional states of discomfort, I would like to work with you. We will collaborate to re-parent the inner child and enhance more adaptive ways of thinking and feeling so you can engage in life authentically.

I am licensed in Nebraska with 25 years of professional work experience. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started! You can find me on psychologytoday.com and search zip code 68025 to find out more about me.

I am licensed in Nebraska with 10 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, lgbtq+ related issues, trauma and abuse, & depression. I believe that you are the expert of your story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

If you’re here, it’s likely because life feels heavy or overwhelming, and you’re looking for support. Maybe stress is taking over, relationships feel hard to manage, or memories from the past keep surfacing and leaving you feeling stuck or disconnected. Whatever you’re carrying, therapy can be a place to find relief, healing, and understanding. As a licensed professional counselor in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota I have worked in the behavioral health field for over 9 years. I specialize in helping people who are dealing with trauma, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and challenges in relationships or family dynamics. My approach is rooted in compassionate, trauma-informed care, where we can safely explore how past experiences shape the present and gently work toward healing. I care deeply about supporting each person on their unique journey. If you’re ready to find a bit more peace, connection, and meaning in life, I’d be honored to walk with you and support you every step of the way.

I am licensed in Nebraska and South Dakota with over 20 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients of all ages dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse. I also have experience working with the elderly and supporting life changes that this comes with. I believe that you are the expert of your own story and that you have many strengths that will assist you in overcoming things that challenge you. It takes courage to seek out a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. I am here to support & empower you in that journey.