Gail Holler-Kennedy

Gail Holler-Kennedy, LMHC I believe the therapeutic relationship and comfort is of utmost importance. I have an easygoing personality and incorporate humor when appropriate. I utilize cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy and systemic theories. I also believe that education is important. This is a multimodal approach and is dependent on client's comfort and benefit.

My approach

My approach to therapy continues several modalities including cognitive, behavioral and psychodynamic. The approach utilized is individualized to match what is most beneficial to client issues and client comfort. I believe the therapeutic relationship is important. I have an easygoing personality and incorporate humor when appropriate. I provide education and look to link clients to additional support services if they so request.

My focus

I have education and experience treating a variety of issues and a variety of ages. I particularly enjoy crisis work as I have significant experience in this area. Couples work, relationship issues, stress and anxiety, as well as grief, eating disorders, parenting & so-parenting.

My communication style

I present as non-threatening and easy going while maintaining professionalism. I am caring and empathetic. I am open and honest and refrain from overuse of professional jargon. I value my clients and I am respectful of cultural differences.

My journey to mental healthcare

I love listening to people's experiences/ stories and how those experiences impacted who they become. I want to know how they dealt with positive and negative experiences in the past, how did they survive, and what worked and what didn't. With that information, I want to help them understand the impact of those experiences and help them move forward. I enjoy problem-listening, solving and researching. I can do what I enjoy and it can benefit someone else. So being a therapist worked for me.

My goals for you

This is a question for the client and one of the very first. If they are unsure I assist them in finding what they would like to see differently in their world. I assist in setting small goals and assist in determining the steps they may need to take to get closer to the goal. I do not tell clients what they need to do and I respect that there may be issues that they are aware of but are not ready to address.

My first session with you

I like to spend much of the initial session listening, validating and normalizing their situation. They will have the opportunity to ask me questions. I will share my thoughts and observations with them to see if my thinking aligns. They will also be asked if they feel comfortable, what they feel they need and if agreement, schedule next session and briefly explain what it may look like, what I can provide and how we will measure progress.