Elisabeth Kee, LCPC, NCC

In life, we sometimes find ourselves in the midst or the aftermath of what I like to call a “Tower Moment”. The Tower card in tarot is a symbol of dramatic, unavoidable and sudden change. It depicts an imposing stone tower, cracked in half by a lightning strike, pieces falling to the ground. Most fear this card, due to the negative emotions that come with having to let go of a situation when we aren’t ready. We ignore, avoid or deny. Then, our lives fall down around us, and we find ourselves looking through the rubble trying to piece back together the life we lived just a short time ago. The sadness, despair, confusion, and anger may be overwhelming. Tower moments are the ones that truly test the limits of our resilience. They bring us to the edge of our psyches, and show us who we really are. One does not need to fear these moments, though I understand this fear as I have felt it too. After such a hard fall, it can be almost impossible to think that something can be not only rebuilt, but improved upon. But it can. Sometimes old structures need to fall in order to make room for new better ones. You don’t need to rebuild alone. I’m here to help if you're ready to start on this new beginning together.

Tower moments don’t need to be specific events or traumas either. Sometimes they can be when we have a realization that our anxiety is out of control, or that the feelings of numbness and sadness are actually clinical depression, and we need to seek support for the major stressors in our lives. Therapy is an excellent way to explore and process events in your present, past and future. As a psychodynamic therapist, I truly value the connection between experiences in the past and how they shape our reactions in the current reality. I think looking inwards is one of the most difficult but rewarding journeys one can ever embark on. Once we accept our shadows and patterns, know them, and can identify them, it is much easier to make a change in one’s life.

I strive to create a warm, welcoming, safe and accepting environment for all of my clients. I am a “conversational” therapist, which means that I enjoy naturally flowing conversations, so whatever is on your mind to speak of that day, I’ll encourage you to share. I like to collaborate with clients about their goals for therapy, and let them set a general course and pace. I also encourage clients to voice any concerns, questions or comments about therapy or me, as I am always open to suggestions. My ultimate goal in therapy is to make sure my client feels safe, seen and supported. I specialize in treating individuals of all ages, (including children and adolescents) with anxiety, depression and trauma disorders. In addition to psychodynamic theory, I also use CBT, person-centered techniques and mindfulness skills. When working with children I use play therapy and art therapy as well.

I became interested in becoming a therapist after I developed PTSD after surviving childhood cancer. I was in elementary school when the symptoms manifested, and my parents entered me into therapy shortly after the symptoms appeared. Well, my therapist made such a wonderful impression on me, I decided to become one too! From a very young age, I found myself loving the deep and complex conversations that came from attending therapy and examining the past. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else, this job is truly my dream come true.

In my personal life, I am a self-identified nerd in many ways! I love learning, and am constantly reading about psychology topics and social justice issues. I think self-improvement and introspection is incredibly important, and I try to implement that in my own life by attending therapy, journaling, thinking about my own actions and their consequences, and constantly striving to grow as a person. I deeply value respect and love for all people.  I am currently working on a fantasy novel that incorporates psychodynamic theory, which has been a really fun way to incorporate all of my favorite things. I live in the Northern Suburbs with my three cats (Morgana, Potion and Zuko) and my wonderful partner/ fiancè. On the weekends, you can find me playing a cleric or druid in the ongoing Dungeons and Dragons campaign I am a part of, or taking my cats outside for supervised “adventures” in my fenced-in backyard.