Last edited 06/04/2026
Dr. Kristen Kelsey
She / Her / Hers
Identifies As
She / Her / HersWoman
Get To Know Me
In what ways do your life philosophy and treatment philosophy overlap?
At their core, my life philosophy and treatment philosophy are rooted in the same belief: that growth requires courage, and that the willingness to face what is hard is one of the most powerful things a person can do.
In my own life, I have always been drawn to understanding people — what shapes them, what holds them back, and what helps them move forward. I believe that self-awareness is not a destination but an ongoing practice, and that the most meaningful growth happens when we are willing to look honestly at ourselves without judgment. That same principle guides my work with clients. I don't ask anyone to do something I don't believe in myself.
My research into yoga, mindfulness, and stress was not purely academic — it reflected a genuine curiosity about the relationship between the mind and body, and how practices that cultivate presence can shift the way we relate to our own thoughts and feelings. That curiosity continues to inform how I think about healing. I believe that getting better is not just about learning new skills or changing behaviors — it is about developing a different relationship with yourself.
I also believe deeply in the value of showing up. In life and in the therapy room, consistency, honesty, and genuine engagement matter more than perfection. I am not here to have all the answers — I am here to think carefully, stay curious, and remain fully present with each person I work with. That is how I try to live, and it is exactly how I try to practice.
Location
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Specialties
Specializes in
DepressionAnxietySleep & insomnia issuesStressTrauma
General Expertise
DepressionAnxietyWork StressRelationship IssuesLoss/GriefSelf-EsteemADHDAnger managementCaregiver stress & supportDivorce & separationSleep & insomnia issuesLife transitionsPanic attacks & panic disorderPeak performancePost-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)Transition to new parenthoodCoping SkillsBurnout
Treatment Approaches
Mindfulness PracticesCognitive Processing TherapyPsychological Testing and EvaluationTrauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy for InsomniaDialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness-Based Cognitive TherapyAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Clientele
Types of Therapy
Individual Therapy
Serves Ages
Young Adults (18-24)Adults (25-65)Seniors (65+)
Languages
English
Insurance & Fees
Insurances Accepted
AetnaAnthemBlue Cross Blue ShieldBlue ShieldCignaCarelon Behavioral Health
Cash Pay Rates/Out-of-Pocket
| First Session: | $200 |
| Individual Therapy: | $200 |
Professional Background
LicensureColorado, Licensed Psychologist, PSY.0006891Iowa, Licensed Psychologist, 099295
Training/CertificationsCognitive Behavioral Therapy for InsomniaCognitive Processing TherapyAcceptance and Commitment TherapyDialectical Behavioral TrainingWritten Exposure Therapy
Education
California School of Professional Psychology, Doctorate of Psychology, Clinical Psychology, 2018 — Dr. Kelsey earned her Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology — an APA-accredited program known for its rigorous scientist-practitioner training. She also holds a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from the same institution, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Michigan.
Throughout her academic career, Dr. Kelsey was a consistently recognized scholar. She received the CSPP Dean's Award of Excellence three times, the Michigan School of Professional Psychology Scholar Award twice, and multiple University of Michigan honors including the prestigious James B. Angell Scholar Award — one of the university's highest academic distinctions — as well as the University of Michigan Scholar Award and the University Laval Scholar Award.
Her doctoral dissertation examined the relationship between yoga experience, mindfulness, and perceived stress — an early reflection of her interest in holistic, mind-body approaches to mental health. She also contributed to research validating the Rorschach Isolation Index within the R-PAS system, work she later presented at the annual meeting of the Society for Personality Assessment.
Dr. Kelsey completed her APA-accredited doctoral internship through the Wichita Collaborative Psychology Internship Program across two settings. At Prairie View — a regional behavioral health system — she provided individual, group, and family therapy across residential and outpatient levels of care, working with adults and adolescents experiencing mood disorders, trauma, and personality disorders using CBT, DBT, and Prolonged Exposure. At the University of Kansas Medical Center's Pediatric Neuropsychology department, she evaluated and diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders in children, including autism, ADHD, and intellectual disability, and served as a pediatric psychology consultation liaison for children managing serious medical illness.
During graduate training, she also served as a Teaching Assistant at Alliant International University, mentoring Master's-level counseling students through skills demonstration, video review, and individual supervision.
She has presented her research at the Society for Personality Assessment, the University of Oklahoma Medical Center's Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Grand Rounds, and the Michigan Governor's Conference.
Work HistoryMy path to private practice has been shaped by more than a decade of clinical experience across a wide range of settings — from community crisis centers and VA medical facilities to school districts, residential programs, and university training clinics. Each role deepened my understanding of how anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health challenges show up differently depending on a person's history, background, and stage of life.
I began my clinical training working with adolescents in a residential setting in Fresno, California, providing therapy for young people involved in the justice system or placed in foster care. This early experience taught me how to build trust with people who have every reason not to trust — and it shaped my belief that therapy has to meet people where they are, not where we think they should be.
From there, I trained in a university-based therapy clinic, working with adults across a broad range of concerns including depression, anxiety, trauma, and relationship difficulties. This is where I first developed my appreciation for the unique pressures young adults face — navigating identity, independence, relationships, and life transitions all at once, often without a clear roadmap. I also completed psychological assessment rotations, learning how to conduct thorough evaluations and translate complex findings into practical, useful guidance.
I also spent time working in a school district setting, conducting evaluations for children and adolescents — an experience that deepened my understanding of how early life experiences shape the patterns that often bring people to therapy as adults.
My doctoral internship brought me to Kansas, where I worked in two very different environments simultaneously. At a regional behavioral health system, I provided therapy across inpatient, residential, and outpatient settings for people of all ages — including young adults navigating early-onset mental health challenges, middle-aged adults managing chronic stress and trauma, and older adults facing significant life changes. At the same time, I worked in a pediatric neuropsychology clinic, which gave me insight into neurodevelopmental conditions that often persist into adulthood.
After completing my doctorate, I worked at a community crisis center in Wichita, Kansas, providing face-to-face crisis intervention for people in acute mental health distress across all age groups. I coordinated suicide prevention services and served as a gatekeeper for psychiatric hospitalization. This role sharpened my ability to assess risk quickly, respond calmly under pressure, and connect people to the right level of support — skills that are just as relevant in everyday therapy as they are in a crisis.
For nearly seven years, I worked as a Staff Psychologist within the VA healthcare system in Oklahoma City, Tennessee, and Colorado. Working with Veterans across a wide age range — from young adults returning from recent deployments to older Veterans carrying decades of unprocessed experiences — gave me a profound appreciation for how mental health needs evolve across a lifetime. Young adult Veterans often struggled with identity, purpose, and the transition back to civilian life alongside anxiety and trauma. Middle-aged Veterans frequently faced the compounding weight of long-term stress, relationship strain, and depression. Older Veterans often came to therapy grappling with grief, chronic illness, changes in independence, and trauma that had never been fully addressed.
This experience reinforced something I had come to believe across every role I have held: that the concerns that bring people to therapy may look similar on the surface, but they are shaped by where someone is in life. A 25-year-old managing anxiety is navigating something meaningfully different from a 55-year-old or a 70-year-old doing the same — and effective therapy accounts for that.
In April 2026, I opened my own private practice — Dr. Kristen Kelsey Psychological Services, PLLC — serving adults across Colorado and Iowa. I work with young adults, adults, and older adults, bringing the full depth of my training to each stage of life. Whether you are just beginning to understand your mental health, navigating a major life transition, or working through something that has been with you for years, my goal is the same: to provide thoughtful, individualized care that helps you move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s not uncommon to have questions before starting therapy.
Dr. Kristen Kelsey, Licensed Psychologist, has answered a few of the questions they receive most often from new clients.
Is Kristen Kelsey accepting new clients?
Yes, Kristen Kelsey is accepting new clients for online therapy in Colorado and Iowa and in-person appointments at 6200 S Syracus Way, Suite 260, Greenwood Village, CO, 80111.
Does Kristen Kelsey accept insurance?
Yes, Kristen Kelsey accepts insurance, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Shield, Carelon Behavioral Health and Cigna.
What types of therapy does Kristen Kelsey offer?
Kristen Kelsey offers therapy for individuals.
Does Kristen Kelsey offer in-person appointments?
Yes, Kristen Kelsey offers in-person appointments at 6200 S Syracus Way, Suite 260, Greenwood Village, CO, 80111.
Does Kristen Kelsey offer online therapy?
Yes, Kristen Kelsey offers online therapy via video sessions, phone sessions and live messaging sessions to people in Colorado and Iowa.
How quickly can I see Kristen Kelsey?
Kristen Kelsey typically can speak with new clients within 48 hours. You can see their current general office hours and request an appointment on their profile page.
What languages does Kristen Kelsey speak?
Kristen Kelsey conducts therapy sessions in English.
Can I book an appointment with Kristen Kelsey online?
Yes, you can easily book an appointment with Kristen Kelsey online using ChoosingTherapy.com’s directory.