Today we’d like to introduce you to Kersten Kimmerly, LMSW, PMH-C.
Hi Kersten, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always wanted to be an advocate for children following a difficult childhood and initially prepared for law school hoping to achieve a JD and MSW double degree. During exam week first semester, the grandmother who raised me and my 4 month old step nephew died within the four days of each other and my dad was admitted to the cardiac ICU also during this time. The culmination of stress and the emotional toil shifted my perspective on how I was feeling about my current plan and in the second semester of law school, I decided that Social Work would be my focus leaving behind law school and starting my Masters in Social work the following fall. I had been working at community mental health as a home based family support worker with kids and i had always had an interest in Infant Mental Health and the double vulnerability of folks dealing with mental health issues and medical illness. I worked in early intervention services and then medical social work until a surprise much desired pregnancy. Due to a complicated panic stricken pregnancy, I took a leave from my job at the hospital and when I returned after delivery my job description had changed. A practitioner/colleague told me during my pregnancy, that i needed to start a private practice to support women’s health and children due to my personal and professional experience. At the time, private practice was more uncommon especially for someone of my age and experience level, but i connected with some of the trusted therapists in the community that served as mentors as i built my practice with my 11 mth old on my knee. Over the years, I would battle fertility and loss and heal from these experiences to support others in these areas as well as perinatal mood disorders and children with OCD, anxiety, chronic medical conditions and the span of womens health puberty through menopause. I have spent a lot of my life making lemonade out of lemons, meaning making we call it in mental health, of the things that I have been through.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I faced struggles with putting myself through my master’s while working and balancing my own health issues especially after coming through the grief of my losses the previous year. I had to work hard and learn a lot about business along the way that didn’t always come easy or without hardship. I have had to work through my personal struggles with health and fertility and loss, so that i can continue to provide care for others in these areas. I had to learn how to be a working mother and wife and learn to ask for help and rely on others at times which has not always been a comfortable choice for me.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in women’s health, perinatal mental health, fertility, loss, chronic medical conditions for women and children as well as anxiety, ocd. We provide a free support group for birth givers for perinatal mental health that strives to be inclusive. We provide trauma therapy through multiple modalities including Internal Family systems informed parts work and Eye Movement Desentization and Reprocessing. We also provide extended trauma treatment sessions that can range from 3-6 hours of trauma treatment for specific focus. I sit on the MI board of Postpartum Support Internation and work to advocate for social justice when possible. I provide care coordination for a local pediatrician’s office as I believe the wraparound approach to caring for children and families is the optimal in care. I also provide care collaboration for my adult women clients if desired. I cofounded the capital area periantal wellness coalition which provides current resources and referrals to perinatal clients in need. I have two amazing therapists in my practice that I am incredibly proud of their excellent and tender care. I pride myself on being relatable, and no nonsense while warm and caring. I call it my Italian grandmother trait We do what needs to be done to make change for families and our clients get the care we would like for our families. I can frequently be heard in session erupting into laughter sometimes through the tears.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I think thoughtful risk taking can be very powerful. At the time when I opened my practice, it was a financial and professional risk. I tend to be more risk averse, but when something feels right, listening to that voice inside that says this is the way is so important. I believe options are important and you can take risks with the appropriate anchors in place and foundation. If it feels right, it is worth taking the leap…with cushions if possible.
Pricing:
- We accept most insurance types and offer private pay as well as sliding scale options when possible.
- Our extended trauma treatment sessions range in price and offer discounts for medical professionals and first responders.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.herecomesthesuntherapyandwellness.com
- Instagram: kerstenkimmerlylmsw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KerstenKimmerlyLMSW
