Holistic Jungian therapist specializing in trauma and relationships
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!
Licensed · Professional · Cancel Anytime
Kelly Drake is a Clinical Social Worker based in Michigan with 25 years of experience in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Her clinical approach is built on family systems theory, psychodynamic concepts, free association, and strength-based practices.
The first decade of her career focused on suicide assessment and trauma treatment for children ages 4-17. During that time she worked with many young people who had severe mental illness and who came from abusive homes, serving a diverse population across the Detroit, MI area through community mental health agencies and school systems.
After college she intended to join the Army but was initially told by a recruiter that she would not pass the physical because of a knee issue; she later joined the Army as an Officer and Social Worker. Over the next ten years on active duty she concentrated on suicide risk assessment and trauma treatment for Soldiers and their families. Because the military favored a solution-focused approach, she incorporated Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques to address nightmares and sleep difficulties, and she has training in Cognitive Processing Therapy as an evidence-based treatment for PTSD.
Her clinical manner is calm, collected, and perceptive, offering accurate empathy while treating each person with respect, dignity, and attention to privacy. She will move at a client’s pace but is direct about what is needed for change, emphasizing that growth happens through the therapeutic relationship rather than through the kind of advice a friend might offer.
For Kelly, social work is a purpose rather than just a job, and she expresses gratitude for the opportunity to be invited into the most vulnerable parts of a person’s life. She is a Michigan-licensed Master of Social Work, holding an MI LMSW credential (license number 6801086659).
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