Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Knight.
Hi Chelsea, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was drawn to the mental health field when I was really young. I was really curious about people’s internal experiences and how their environment’s affected the way they felt. I was a big feeler! I was not allowed to watch movies like All Dogs Go to Heaven or Matilda in my house because I would be an emotional wreck as a 6 year old. I could not stand the thought of children being mistreated or pets not living forever. As I got into my teen years, my mom brought me to a therapist who had a really positive impact on me while I was going through a particularly hard time, and it got me thinking about perhaps becoming a therapist myself in the future. As I got older I really enjoyed being a confidant to others and hearing people’s stories as I was participating in a volunteer program at Central Michigan University called Alternative Breaks. I was actually studying apparel design at the time but realized my heart was calling me to the mental health field so I changed my major to Social Work. I was really grateful to move on to earn my MSW from the University of Michigan School of Social Work right after. I have been simultaneously been working in schools as a social worker and working as a private practice therapist in Detroit, then Chicago, and now Ann Arbor. During Covid, I was visiting my parents and still had a full caseload of clients for telehealth sessions. My husband, my sister, and my nephew were all there as well and I had to use one of the extra bathrooms as a therapy room because space was limited. I guess my mom could hear me laughing throughout the day in my telehealth bathroom and commented, “Wow, there’s a lot more laughing in therapy than I realized”, which is pretty funny because I am a trauma therapist. I do a lot of polyvagal work, EMDR, and narrative therapy with people who have survived trauma and other chronic stressors. So I decided that when I opened my own practice (which I did in 2022) I would name it after the sense of humor my clients bring to the table and use as coping mechanism. That is how Levity Mental Health Services got its name.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For me, my experience has been full of lots of learning experiences, Some of my struggles along the way have involved learning where my boundaries are as a therapist, deciding what to specialize in, and dealing with insurance panels. It has been incredibly valuable to have consultation groups full of other therapists so we can share ideas. Having go to people in your circle who have different specialties is really helpful. I have also learned that it is an important form of self care for me to keep learning about new modalities and types of therapy so I can stay fresh for my clients.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I started my private practice Levity Mental Health Services in 2022 after working for a group practice. I specialize in treating adults and adolescents who have experienced trauma or abuse. I also work a lot with clients who want to have better relationships in their life with friends, family, partners, etc. as well as people who want to process the impact of their childhood on their current life. Other problems I have a knack for include dealing with insomnia, dealing with complicated families, low self-esteem, dealing with work/life balance, and improving boundaries. I offer EMDR, CBT-I, and use ACT as a therapy modalities. Of all the things I have accomplished so far in my professional life, I would say the relationships I built with my clients is what I am most proud of. Attunement between the therapist and client is the most important thing in session and I value that relationship and connection first and foremost outside of all the evidence-based interventions I provide.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I really love holidays and hosting. I will any excuse to decorate, make a special dinner for people, or host a themed party.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.levitymentalhealth.com
