Dr. Kiesa Kelly
Welcoming You to ScienceWorks Behavioral Healthcare!
When clients finally receive the right diagnosis and engage with self-affirming, specialized therapy, they are able to move toward self-acceptance and begin the journey of life-long growth and fulfillment. It has been such a joy to support the personal growth of my college students (in my role as a university professor), my child (a wonderful 19 year-old person), and now with clients. I also love weight-lifting, playing Zelda, my dog "Cosmo," and eating outdoors with my partner and parents.
Specialized Services
For Adults and Teens
Individuals: $200 per session
About Me
Available via telehealth in the following states:
AL, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WI, WY
I earned my PhD in Clinical Psychology, with a concentration in Neuropsychology from Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. I completed practica, internship, and an NIH-funded post-doc at the University of Chicago, University of Wisconsin, the University of Florida, and Vanderbilt University, respectively.
As a neuropsychologist by training, I have 20+ years of experience with psychological assessments. My NIH post-doctoral fellowship focused on ADHD, both in a research and clinical capacity. As the parent of a queer, autistic person with a history of OCD, I have current personal experience with neurodivergence and have recently sought out training from experts in the field who use a neurodiversity affirming framework and modern assessments that capture ADHD and autism in previously undiagnosed adults, particularly women and non-binary folks.
My therapy training in graduate school focused on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). OCD torments gentle, fun, loving people with the ironic belief that they may be a monster. What if I'm dangerous? Immoral? Contaminated? Living in a simulation? A different gender/sexual orientation than I think? What if things aren't just right or I have a terrible illness? Compulsively avoiding feared outcomes becomes life-consuming. Scary, taboo themes are common. It's OCD, not you. I see you. There is no reason to hide in shame; I already know you are good. You will, too. OCD is painful, but treatable with Inference-based Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), Exposure Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).
ERP (in combination with ACT) is a fast-working and effective but sometimes intimidating evidence-based treatment for OCD. It doesn't work for everyone and for some folks it is too threatening to try. I am among a small yet growing group of therapists in the US additionally trained in Inference-based CBT - a more cognitive, less intimidating, and science-backed ERP alternative.
Autistic and ADHD neurotypes often occur with each other, as well as with OCD. I-CBT may be preferrable to ERP for neurodivergent individuals because of its emphasis on demystifying the faulty thinking driving OCD, rather than forcing folks to tolerate a behavioral intervention.
Trauma/Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are often present in folks with OCD. My preferred approach for treating trauma is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), which provides evidence-based treatment with minimal talk and no homework.
Insomnia, difficulty falling and/or staying asleep can be treated in as few as 6 sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). CBT-I is the most effective treatment in all of behavioral health. Insomnia occurs more frequently in folks with ADHD/autism, PTSD, and OCD; sometimes OCD doubts focus on sleep and insomnia.
Get in Touch with Dr. Kelly
I enjoy helping folks identify the best path forward, even if that's not with me.
Ask a question
Are you ready to get started?
Dr. Kelly's Experience and Credentials
Recent Training and Professional Consultation
-
EMDR Basic Training (VIA EMDR: Jamie Pendon + Maren Lubig)
-
Group consultation (VIA EMDR)
-
-
EMDR for Attachment Injuries, Debra Wesselmann
-
The Flash Technique: Basic Principles and Protocols, Phillip Manfield, PhD & Nina Zadurian
-
Neuroaffirming ADHD and Autism Assessments, Individual Consultation with Dr. Paige Victorine, Psy.D, Nouveau Psychological Wellness, PLLC
-
I-CBT Training (OCD Training School; Catherine Goldhouse, Amanda Petrik-Gardner)
-
Group Consultation with Bronwyn Shroyer (EMDR+I-CBT)
-
Group Consultation with Michael Heady (OCD and Anxiety)
-
-
CBT-I Training (Evidence-based Insomnia Interventions for Trauma, Anxiety, Depression, Chronic Pain and More, Colleen E. Carney, PhD & Meg Danforth, PhD) and individual Consultation with Jessee Dietch, PhD; cbtiweb.org)
Professional Memberships
Education
-
PhD, Clinical Psychology: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
-
Concentration in Neuropsychology
-
-
M.S., Clinical Psychology: Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
-
A.B., Psychology and Neuroscience: Bowdoin College
Post-Doctoral Positions
-
NIH National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellow, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN; University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
-
Training grant, entitled: Dual Pathway Models of ADHD: A High-Density ERP Study, combined conduction of an original research study examining cognitive control processes in children with ADHD, clinical neuropsychological work with children, and undergraduate teaching experience.
-
-
Postdoctoral Associate, Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
-
80% research in Clinical-Cognitive Neuroscience lab and 20% conducting child neuropsychological evaluations. Lab work involves design and implementation of electroencephalographic research, data analysis, computer programming, manuscript preparation, and lab management.
-
Pre-Doctoral Training
-
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Psychiatric Institute and Clinics, Adult Individual Psychotherapy
-
Interpersonal and cognitive behavioral therapy with adult outpatients with a variety of disorders, including Major Depression, Adjustment Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder
-
Conducted intake evaluations resulting in reports including diagnoses and treatment recommendations
-
-
The Chicago Medical School - Anxiety Disorders Clinic
-
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Practicum
-
Exposure and response-prevention cognitive behavioral therapy for adult and pediatric patients with a variety of anxiety disorders, including Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, and Trichotillomania
-
Assessment and treatment planning, development and facilitation of exposure hierarchies, case management, and facilitation of a treatment group
-
-
The University of Chicago - Biological Sciences Division
-
Advanced Adult Neuropsychology Practicum
-
Conducted neuropsychological assessment with a wide variety of adult populations
-
Referral sources include hospital clinics, community-based physicians, and litigation
-
-
The University of Florida Health Science Center
-
Internship Program in Clinical Psychology
-
Conducted neuropsychological, child, medical psychology, and general clinical assessments with both pediatric and adult inpatients and outpatients presenting with a wide range of psychological and cognitive difficulties
-
Individual and group therapy with adults and children using primarily a cognitive-behavioral approach, with experience in Parent- Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
-
Selected Grants
-
Principal Investigator, Dr. Kiesa Kelly, Funded Tennessee Board of Regents Student Engagement, Retention, and Success (SERS) Grant: IMPACT Scholars: a pilot program utilizing ePortfolios to increase engagement in High Impact Practices (HIPs) in underrepresented populations at Tennessee State University
-
National Institute on the Teaching of Psychology (NITOP), Poster Award
-
Principal Investigator, Dr. Kiesa Kelly, Funded NIH R25 BPENDURE Grant Titled “Enhancing Neuroscience Diversity with the Tennessee State University – Neuroscience Education and Research Vanderbilt Experience (TSU-NERVE)
-
Society for the Teaching of Psychology – APA Division Two Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Grant
Selected Publications
-
Kelly, K., & Patrice, K. The impact of culturally relevant teaching on African American undergraduate student performance in General Psychology. Journal of Black Psychology, 45(1), 52- 62, doi.org/10.1177/0095798418825168
-
Kelly, K., Jones, L., Brinthaupt, T., Hart, W. Psychology Educators of Tennessee (PET). A regional learning community for psychology teachers. Psychology Teaching Review, 22(2), 74-80.
-
Kelly, K.G. Student Response Systems ("Clickers") in the Psychology Classroom: A Beginner's Guide. Office of Teaching Resources in Psychology Online.
-
Larson, M.J., Kelly, K.G., Stigge-Kaufman, D.A., Schmalfuss, I.M., Perlstein, W.M. Reward context sensitivity impairment following severe TBI: an event-related potential investigation. International Neuropsychological Society, 13(4):615-25
-
Seidenberg, M. Kelly, K.G., Parrish, J., Geary, B., Dow, C., Rutecki, P., Bell, B., Jones, J., Hermann, B.P. Ipsilateral and contralateral MRI volumetric abnormalities in chronic unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy and their clinical correlates. Epilepsia - High Impact Epilepsy Journal. 46(3):420-30.
Selected Presentations on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
-
Kelly, K. Doing it over and over again, expecting a different result: graduate admissions for workforce diversity & racial equity. Cleveland State University, Department of Psychology, invited speaker Viking Series.
-
Kelly, K., Cox, T. Strengthening Student-Faculty Relationships by Addressing Microaggressions, presented at Memphis in May Student Affairs Conference.
-
Kelly, K., Cox, T. Strengthening Student-Faculty Relationships by Addressing Microaggressions, presented at College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR).
Payment Options
We offer a range of options to make your therapy as convenient and accessible as possible.
Self-Pay: All major credit cards accepted. FSA and HSA eligible.
Maximum flexibility, quality of care, and confidentiality. Receive the services you need on your schedule.
Payment Plan: ScienceWorks is partnered with CareCredit to provide interest-free payment plans for qualifying individuals. Please visit our CareCredit site or contact us for details.
Out-of-Network (OON) Insurance: As a specialized practice, we are not in-network with any insurance providers so that we can keep client volumes low and provide the highest quality customized treatments. We do, however, offer options to help you identify and maximize OON benefits:
-
ScienceWorks is partnered with Thrizer - A convenient, secure platform that makes it easy to automate the OON process. CLICK HERE to check your eligibility instantly. For qualifying plans, OON benefits can reimburse up to 90% of session fees.
-
We can also provide a monthly superbill that you can submit to your insurance provider for potential reimbursement. We recommend communicating with your insurance ahead of time to understand the available benefits.
-
Please feel free to contact us for more information
Good Faith Estimate
Our clients have the right to receive a "Good Faith Estimate" regarding the cost of their care. Under the law, healthcare providers are required to provide patients and/or clients with an estimated cost of goods and services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency goods or services. This includes ancillary costs such as medical tests, prescription drugs, consumables, and institutional fees. Your healthcare provider should deliver a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least one business day prior to beginning paid services. If you receive a bill that is more than $400 over your Good Faith Estimate, you have the right to dispute.
For more information regarding the Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 800-985-3059.