Kelsey Donohue

Hi, I’m Kelsey Donohue, an Associate Social Worker and part of Clear Mind Counseling’s San Diego therapy team. I work with adults, young adults, and adolescents navigating anxiety, grief and loss, trauma, and life transitions. You may be putting a lot of effort into your work or relationships but still feeling unsettled or disconnected. Or maybe you’ve noticed familiar patterns in your life and want something to change, but you aren’t sure where to begin.

I approach sessions with warmth and curiosity. I aim to create an open, nonjudgmental space where you can slow down and explore the stories you’ve come to believe about yourself. Drawing on psychodynamic approaches, we’ll consider where those beliefs come from and how they influence your choices and relationships today. I also incorporate mindfulness and body awareness to help you notice how thoughts, emotions, and stress show up in the moment.

My clinical experience includes school-based counseling, community health, and crisis support. In these settings, I’ve worked with adolescents, adults, and families facing difficult circumstances and significant transitions. This work has reinforced the importance of understanding what someone is carrying, including the pressures and circumstances outside their control.

Before becoming a therapist, I spent over a decade working in strategic communications, primarily in the startup world. I understand how workplace expectations and pressures can make it difficult to hear your own voice or know what you need. You don’t need to come to therapy knowing exactly what needs to change; we can start with what feels difficult now and work toward a clearer understanding of what you want for yourself. I look forward to getting to know you.

CLINICAL FOCUS

MY APPROACH

MY PHILOSOPHY ON THE THERAPEUTIC EXPERIENCE AND CHANGE

Our work together will make room to reflect on what you already know about yourself. We’ll explore the expectations you carry and how they fit with what matters to you now. Considering where those expectations come from can help you sort through what feels right for you and what you’d like to change.

I see therapy as a collaborative process, with your perspective and experiences guiding our work. Together, we can build on what’s been helpful and pay closer attention to where you feel pulled in different directions. My hope is that our work supports greater trust in yourself and more freedom to make choices that reflect what you want for your life.

Ensuring a good fit between therapist and client is crucial for successful therapy. We offer a free 15-minute phone consultation to see if we're a good match. Taking this first step to seek support is important, and we are honored to guide you on your path towards healing and personal growth.