Kelly Arensen

Marriage & Family Therapist

Wheaton, Illinois, United States

About

I help even the most stuck individuals and families move out of frustration and pain and into wholeness, healing, and restorative connection with others. I achieve this through a combination of tailored application of evidence-based treatment tools and an authentically-held deep regard for clients – thereby creating the safety and trust essential for courageous growth. I bring to the therapy process equal parts visionary intuition and patient tenacity, holding fast alongside my clients through even the most uncertain and formidable paths of change.

Experience

  • Relationship Works (Hybrid)
    • Marriage And Family Therapist
      May 2024 - Present · 2 yrs 3 mos

    • Marriage And Family Therapy Intern
      May 2024 - May 2025 · 1 yr 1 mo

  • MFT Intern Therapist at Marriage & Family Therapy Clinic - Wheaton College
    Aug 2023 - May 2024 · 10 mos

  • Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL · On-site)
    • Mental Health Collective Administrative Coordinator
      Dec 2021 - Dec 2023 · 2 yrs 1 mo

      * Drafted applications for grant funding, securing two consecutive annual awards of $250K each, and drafted final reports recapping grant activities and accomplishments for grant donor. * Advised and managed allocation of funds across 10+ community mental health initiatives in alignment with grant objectives, in partnership with Project Director and through the collaboration of department faculty members and graduate-level psychology and therapy/counseling students. * Convened participating faculty and students for team collaboration and for trainings from experts in church and community mental health partnerships.

    • Sexual & Gender Identity Institute Program Coordinator
      Jan 2020 - Dec 2023 · 4 yrs

      • Oversaw the intake of over 80 individuals, couples and families seeking support to navigate sexual and gender identity questions. Provided skilled and compassionate assistance in fielding questions and matching families to services and resources. • Hosted a multitude of lectures and clinical training events, as well as a three-day conference for Christian K-12 schools seeking to integrate faith-based policies with research-based care for sexually- and gender-diverse students, with 90 educators attending from across North America. • Led the institute’s grant writing and grant administration activities, securing and managing almost $1M of funding over four years for research and community mental health initiatives.

    • Public Health Research Coordinator
      Jul 2021 - Jun 2023 · 2 yrs

      Co-authored three research papers accepted for publication, addressing utilization of workplace breastfeeding supports and perinatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Naivasha, Kenya.

  • Substitute Teacher at Community Consolidated School District 93
    Oct 2019 - Mar 2020 · 6 mos

    Substitute teacher, Preschool - 8th grade

  • Health And Wellness Coach at Self Employed
    Jun 2018 - Dec 2019 · 1 yr 7 mos