Meet Kelli Penner—Therapist at Best Therapists

Kelli's early academic training and much of her personal interest has been in utilizing Psychodynamic Theory (exploring what the experiences in the therapeutic relationship can tell us about the rest of your life), including Attachment Theory (looking at your earliest relationships and how they developed a model of the world for you). Kelli's focused training in working with children and adolescents has also included Cognitive-Behavioral Theory, which she uses with her adult clients when they find that the skills contribute to the process. Kelli values continued learning, and focuses many of her continuing education trainings in better understanding how to treat complex trauma, providing allied and inclusive therapy for LGBTQIA+ clients, and child and adolescent specific issues. Kelli also has over 10 years of experience working with couples and families in building better connections, communication, and boundaries. She encourages and utilizes mindfulness skills in her practice, as a way to help regain control of your emotional and thought regulation.

I believe that therapy can benefit everyone, and also believe that not every therapist is a good match for every client. This work takes engaging with some very vulnerable thoughts and feelings, though through my own experiences in therapy, as well as my observations as a therapist, I have seen how the discomfort is worth the growth. Through my past and ongoing explorations of understanding which systems I was born and raised into, I am continuously learning how those systems have contributed to, or too often, limited my ability to create safety for others. I believe that safety (be that physical, emotional, financial, or otherwise) are inherent rights of all human beings, and am committed to growing so that this is true in both my personal life and my work as a therapist. Therapy is a collaboration. I bring education and training in understanding relationship dynamics, the impacts of trauma, emotional disconnect, & self-regulation tools. You have expertise and knowledge of yourself and your experiences, even if it doesn't always feel that way. I will work with you to develop goals for therapy, including: changes you are hoping to make, coping skills you might benefit from, how to expand your resources, & personal strengths we can build upon.

Masters of Marital and Family Therapy | Fuller School of Psychology, 2010