Kelsey Balaban, LCSW
Hi! I’m Kelsey. I’m passionate about delving into the nuances of our interactions with each other and with our environments. I’m convinced that we heal and grow in relationship and think that therapy should be thoughtful, creative, and dynamic.
I have experience helping folks navigate anxiety, depression, interpersonal stress, trauma, and struggles with intimacy and identity. I’m also interested in how racism, sexism, classism, heteronormativity, and other structures of oppression have hurt you, kept you from thriving, or affected your relationships. Whether you’re new to therapy or wanting to go deeper, I’d love to help you move into more freedom, greater comfort in your skin, and deeper connection to those around you.
For those who like the details:
A love for literature and nature keeps me awake to the complexities of our stories and the opportunities for growth. Time spent abroad shapes my respect for the ways we bring culture, language, and geography into the therapy room. And much of my work has involved helping folks in the military community manage intense emotions and experiences.
I’ve worked as a therapist in a psychiatric facility, a state jail, and a community mental health center. I’m a licensed clinical social worker, which means my training includes exploring ways that systems and social justice issues affect our psyche.
My therapeutic approach is shaped by modern psychoanalytic and psychodynamic frameworks, affect regulation theory, attachment models, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Personal and professional growth are super important to me, so I engage in my own therapy, consultation, and training at local & national levels. I’m a Certified Group Psychotherapist and am a past member of the Board of Directors for the American Group Psychotherapy Association. I am also a member of the Austin Group Psychotherapy Society.