Kelly Paynter

Licensed Professional Counselor

Board-Certified and Licensed Clinical Art Therapist

Who I am as a Therapist

It’s easy to lose touch with what really matters—and with the parts of yourself that feel alive, creative, and genuinely you. I help people move toward more empowered, connected, and meaningful lives—even when they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected from themselves.

My work is grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness-based approach that helps you build a different relationship with difficult thoughts and emotions so they don’t run your life. Instead of trying to “fix” or eliminate what you feel, we focus on increasing awareness, clarifying what truly matters to you, and taking meaningful action aligned with your values—even in the presence of discomfort.

My style is warm, nonjudgmental, and collaborative, with room for humor and creativity. Therapy doesn’t have to feel cold or clinical to be effective. We can be real humans in the room—sometimes that means depth, sometimes that means laughter, and often it’s both in the same session.

I believe people do well if they can, and that growth happens when we feel safe enough to be both seen and challenged. Together, we’ll identify patterns that are no longer serving you, reconnect with your strengths, and practice new ways of responding in the here and now.

I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor and Board-Certified Art Therapist, and I integrate both traditional talk therapy and creative expression when it supports your process. Art therapy is always optional—no artistic skill required—and can offer another way to access insight, process emotion, and explore meaning. I value play, curiosity, and the experience of flow—those moments of deep engagement where time disappears and you’re fully absorbed in the present moment.

I work with individuals across the lifespan navigating stress, mood concerns, trauma, identity development, relationships, parenting, attachment, and ethical non-monogamy. I’m especially passionate about helping people challenge internalized messages and social constructs that leave them feeling trapped or disconnected from their values. I tend to think outside the box—and sometimes we’ll color on it, too.

I am committed to providing an affirming, inclusive space for all clients. I have experience working with individuals impacted by systemic oppression, including BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ communities, and I am sex-positive, body-positive, and kink-aware. I also show up as a human in the room—an artist, a parent to a neurodivergent child, someone navigating a non-traditional relationship structure, and an individual living with an invisible disability.

And just to say it out loud—finding the right therapist can be hard. Fit matters. If you’re reading this and wondering whether we’d work well together, that makes sense. You don’t have to get it “right” on the first try. If we connect, we’ll figure it out together. If not, that’s okay too—what matters most is that you find a space where you feel safe, understood, and able to grow.

Specialty Areas

Therapeutic Approaches 

• Art Therapy
• Attachment Based Therapy
• Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP)
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Cognitive Therapy
• Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS)
• Compassionate Communication (NVC)
• Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
• Feminist Therapy
• Holistic/Integrative Therapy
• Mindfulness
• Narrative Therapy
• Play Therapy
• Psychodynamic
• Solution-Focused Therapy

Training & Experience  

• I have many years of crisis training with focus on verbal de-escalation skills and non-violent physical intervention. The majority of my experience has been with marginalized youth who are suffering acutely and engaging in unsafe or high-risk behavior.
• I have a passion for serving CSEC (Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) identified youth and have served on committees with others who share this passion.
• I have extensive experience and highly value working within a team approach to address the needs of the youth and family as a whole.
• I have worked as a sailing instructor, camp director, and activities coordinator for a summer at a Swiss Boarding School.
• I have previously been able to partner with an Equine Therapy (horse therapy) provider and feel a kinship with animals and their power to heal.