“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it.”

— Lao Tzu

Kay Blackwelder, MS

Not accepting new clients.

“Nothing is softer or more flexible than water” is a guiding principle in my work as a therapist. Water adapts, flows, and persists, even when faced with obstacles. Like water, you may be here because you’ve reached a point where moving forward feels difficult, and you’re searching for a new way through.

I believe that healing and growth come from understanding, not just changing, our thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses. As a trauma-informed, integrative therapist, my goal is to help you identify what no longer serves you, what needs to begin, and what may need to shift so you can live a more connected, meaningful, and fulfilling life.

I provide a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can explore life’s challenges, heal from trauma, and reconnect with your sense of self. Together, we will work to understand and transform destructive thought patterns, address the impact of stress and trauma on the body and mind, and develop practical tools for navigating life with greater clarity and resilience.

My approach is grounded in humanistic psychology, which recognizes you as more than a diagnosis or a set of symptoms. I integrate both Eastern and Western therapeutic philosophies, blending insight-oriented and evidence-based practices to support deep self-exploration and lasting change. My work includes Acceptance and Integration Training (AAIT), psychodynamic talk therapy, narrative and schema therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness practices, breathwork, and somatic and movement-based interventions.

I specialize in helping individuals navigate trauma, chronic stress, anxiety, identity exploration, and life transitions, with particular expertise in the neurophysiology of stress and relaxation and the ways trauma lives in the body. Healing is not about forcing change; it’s about creating the conditions where growth becomes possible.

I also bring my lived experience into the therapeutic space. I have done the hard work of moving from being a victim of abuse to becoming a trauma survivor. I am a queer woman who has experienced discrimination and has actively advocated for human rights. I believe authenticity, curiosity, and humor are essential parts of meaningful therapy, and I bring all of that with me into our work together.

Seeking therapy means you are ready for something to be different. It isn’t easy, but it is possible. If you’re ready to take the next step, I would be honored to walk alongside you on your journey. Be like water: flexible, persistent, and unyielding in the pursuit of your growth.

More About Me

My path to becoming a therapist was not linear. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a doctor, but trauma and self-doubt made that goal feel out of reach. Through my own healing journey, and one pivotal course in organic chemistry, I discovered psychology and realized I could help others while embracing curiosity across multiple disciplines.

I earned my Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology, graduating summa cum laude from Capella University. I also graduated with high honors from Stephens College with a bachelor’s degree, concentrating in psychology with additional studies in women’s studies, biology, religion, and philosophy. This interdisciplinary background continues to shape my holistic and integrative approach to therapy.

I view human beings as complex, embodied systems shaped by biology, culture, trauma, and meaning-making. In practice, this means integrating neuroscience-informed therapy, mindfulness, and movement-based practices alongside traditional talk therapy. I have practiced taijiquan, a form of moving meditation, since 1993 and taught it since 1998.

I am a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, a Positive and Adverse Childhood Experiences (PACEs) instructor, and a former Cornell-certified Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Instructor. I have presented nationally on trauma, suicide prevention, stress management, the adolescent brain, and the First World Medicine Wheel.

I am an LGBTQ2S+ affirming therapist and a proud member of the Human Rights Campaign. I am deeply committed to providing inclusive, ethical, and culturally responsive mental health care.

Therapy Services & Areas of Specialization

• Trauma-informed therapy

• Anxiety and mood-related concerns

• Stress and nervous system regulation

• Identity exploration and self-acceptance

• LGBTQ2S+ affirming therapy

• Teen and adolescent therapy

• Life transitions and personal growth

• Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs and PACEs)

• Acceptance and Integration Training (AAIT)

• Mindfulness and somatic awareness

• Neurobiology of stress and relaxation

• Parts Work

If you're ready to take that first step, request a free consultation to get started. Our Practice Administrator will be in touch within two business days to answer your questions and help match you with the right therapist. Like water finding its way, I believe you already have within you what it takes to flow toward healing and growth.