We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amelia Kelley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Amelia, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

I love the idea of failing forward and trying things until you either succeed or realize that the door you were trying to open is not for your to open. The way I went into my field was actually a risk. I have been working at the art department at MTV and was getting a degree in graphic art, something just was not sitting well for me though. I wasn’t quite sure if I was going the direction I was meant to be. After 9/11 as a New Yorker everything felt different, and I decided I needed to do something that felt authentic to me. I happened upon an episode of Oprah where an art therapist was working with child survivors of that traumatic event, and it was as if a light bulb suddenly turned on. I realized there despite going to school for four years for one degree that I was going to change gears. I scrambled together and applied for every art therapy program I could as a late enrollment period everyone could have said no to me. The one school I absolutely wanted to go to put me on a wait list. I called the admissions office every week for months checking on the status of my application, actually to the point where they knew me by name. When I finally got that phone call that I would not be jobless and instead I was going to be going to Graduate School, nearly a month before it was intended to start, I knew the risk had been worth it. I’d like to focus on an internal locus of control where I know that as long as I’m taking healthy risks and willing to deal with rejection, eventually the door will open.

Amelia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Dr. Amelia Kelley is a trauma-informed therapist, author, podcaster and researcher. Her specialties include; Art therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR and Brainspotting as well as being a certified meditation and Yoga instructor.

Her work focuses on women’s issues, empowering survivors of abuse and relationship trauma, Highly Sensitive Persons, motivation, healthy living, and adult ADHD.

She is currently a psychology professor at Yorkville University as well as a nationally recognized relationship expert featured on XM Radio’s Doctor Channel on “The Psychiatry Show”.

Her private practice is part of the Traumatic Stress Research Consortium at the Kinsey Institute.

She is the author of Gaslighting Recovery for Women: The Complete Guide to Recognizing Manipulation and Achieving Freedom from Emotional Abuse, as well as co-author of What I Wish I Knew: Surviving and Thriving After an Abusive Relationship and a contributing author for Psychology Today as well as the Highly Sensitive Refuge.

Her work has been featured in Teen Vogue, Yahoo News, Life Hacker and the Insider.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

I think the most important strategy for growing my clientele was staying authentic to what I felt passionate about. Having solid boundaries and understanding that not working with particular clients was not a sign that I was a limited therapist, rather it was a sign that I knew who I could serve best. Of course I would continue to challenge myself and learn from unique and new clients but if I found a blind spot that I was unlikely to fill, I would seek out other therapists who could work at my practice to cover these spots. We each have our own strengths and while it’s good to challenge yourself it’s also good to know when you are not the best fit for someone.

Any advice for managing a team?

Having had many experiences where I worked for someone else, when I opened my practice I knew it was important that I encourage autonomy while creating a sense of community. I want each person that works with me to feel collaborative, respected and encouraged to be the best therapist they are within their own set of strengths and abilities. I believe in speaking to them as equals while also remaining consistent with what I expect. I also think it is important to lead by example. For instance, if I expect my clinicians to have assessments done within a week, then I need to do the same. I also encourage them to bring concerns, ideas or the need for change to my attention and I do not criticize them for feeling these ways. In team meetings I make a point of deferring to their expertise and make sure that we have equitable input when staffing cases and helping them know that they bring great value to each of our interactions, especially because i can learn from them as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ameliakelley.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drameliakelley/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrAmeliaKelley
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drameliakelley/
• Twitter: @drameliakelley
• Other: https://insighttimer.com/kelleycounseling https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-your-corner

Image Credits
Photo: © Jeannene Matthews, JR Photography