Early Adulthood

The emergence of independence is complicated. Early adulthood brings about a whole new set of challenges. Navigating family and interpersonal relationships while fostering your identity can be exhausting. Worries about the future, identifying your values and seeing areas in which these may or may not align with important others in your life– all of these bring about a variety of emotions, and often a sense of anxiety- even despair at times. My clients develop curiosity about their own experience, and work towards self compassion. We explore individual values, relationships and relationship patterns, and work to understand and cope with challenging emotions.

Body Image/Impulsive Eating

Navigating the relationship between food and body can be daunting. There are infinite triggers in the environment that make managing food and body image challenging. Many people find that food/body image concerns take over many hours of their day, yet the time spent still leaves them unfulfilled or feeling guilty. I have expertise working with individuals who are struggling with impulsive behaviors around food and body image. I work with clients to develop insight into their eating habits, understand the impact of eating challenges on other areas of life (social, cultural, familial, etc.), foster coping skills, and recognize the role of culture on body image. Many clients experience relief as they begin to shift their relationship with food and their body. 

Athletes & Performance Enhancement

Performing as an athlete can be both a rewarding and anxiety-producing experience. Navigating sports amidst current COVID-19 guidelines may mean losing the ability to engage in a valuable self-care space, or changing your ability to practice the way you desire. As a former college athlete, I have a passion for working with individuals hoping to enhance sports performance, manage sports anxiety, or even just find a new hobby/self-care tool that brings meaning to your life. I implement a variety of techniques, including visualization/imagery, mindfulness, and anxiety-reduction/breathing while providing a space for you to explore the stresses and joys of athletics in your life.

My Approach

I approach therapy from an integrative stance, utilizing Cognitive Behavioral (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment (ACT), Interpersonal Process, and Mindfulness approaches. I adapt my approach to fit with the needs and preferences of each individual I work with. I earned both my Ph.D. and Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Louisville and pursued additional opportunities during my internship and postdoctoral training in the specialty of eating concerns.  If my background and approach sound like a good fit, I would be glad to schedule an appointment with you!
I also have a professional instagram account: dr.kelseavisalli if you would like to follow and learn more about my advocacy and clinical interests.