Kiley Ellingson, M.S., LPC/MHSP, NCC
Adult Individual and Couples Therapist
M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. Cloud State University (SCSU),
Trainings: Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Grief and Loss, Structural Dissociation, Mindfulness, LGBTQIA+ Safe Space
Treatment Focus: Trauma, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self discovery, life transitions, attachment and relationships, motivation and confidence, LGBT ally
We all have a story that’s worth listening to. For those who take the courageous step to enter a counseling space, I find it an absolute honor to hear the stories of these unique individuals. My experiences in practice so far have taught me I enjoy working with couples and a variety of individual issues. These include emotional problems, like anxiety and depression, as well as those struggling with interpersonal problems, like poor communication skills, lack of assertiveness and boundaries, and past relational wounds. I also enjoy helping individuals who are a few years into active recovery and have realized that the roots of their addiction may be in unresolved issues from their past. With all clients, I take an individual, trauma-informed, and biopsychosocial approach to help them achieve their goals for their lives based in their unique values. Providing a safe place for all my clients to feel validated, understood, and supported is something I strive for.
I graduated with my B.S. in Human Services from East Tennessee State University in 2015 and my M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from St. Cloud State University in 2017. Since then, I have worked in settings including: outpatient counseling, drug and alcohol IOP, college counseling, and community mental health. Some of the therapeutic modalities I use include dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT), emotion focused couple therapy with couples (EFT), cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), internal family systems (IFS), narrative therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Don’t worry if you don’t know what those are — we’ll work together to find out what would be best for you!
Favorite Quote: “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” – Viktor Frankl
Recommended Resources:
Melody Beatie, "Codependent No More" book
Being Well podcast
Pauline Boss, "Ambiguous Loss" book
Dr. Tara Brach, "Radical Acceptance" book
The Gottmans, The Four Horseman
Dr. Rick Hanson, "Buddha's Brain" book
Dr. Steven Hayes, Psychological Flexibility TEDTalk
Dr. Sue Johnson, "Hold Me Tight" book
Dr. Gabor Mate, "The Myth of Normal" book
Dr. Kristin Neff, Self Compassion website
Dr. Elizabeth Stanely, "Widen the Window" book