Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I am trained in evidenced based interventions such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and Dialectial Behavioral Therapy (DBT) and use these in my work when appropriate. My main focus is in DBT, an approach that can increase mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. I am also certified in EMDR, a proven trauma treatment that can help build a sense of safety, identify and change beliefs that are harmful, and to become less stuck in past pain.
Amy Kennel
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC, MS
I joined Lifeworks Professional Counseling in May 2019 to help and support people going through a variety of problems. Since 2005, I have worked in community mental health settings where I did individual and group counseling, and conducted intake assessments. I received a BA in Art Therapy from Arcadia University in Glenside, PA. I received my MS in Mental Health Counseling from Longwood University in Farmville, VA, with honors from the Counseling and Education departments. I was also a member of the Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society for Counselor Educators.
The foundation to transformation and healing in therapy relies on mutual trust and respect.​ My past work experience with people in crisis honed my skills in holding space for difficult experiences and painful emotions. I provide encouragement, empathy, understanding, attention and acceptance, and give honest and caring feedback.
Through our work together, you can expect to establish goals and work
meaningfully towards achieving them. Our work may also include challenging
unhelpful thoughts, building and increasing a sense of safety, finding meaning
and purpose, improving your communication and connection with others,
recognizing unhealthy patterns, fostering hope and nourishing change, practicing
new skills, and adopting new habits. ​​You may also notice an improvement in
understanding yourself and expressing your feelings, managing emotions, problem solving, and an increased sense of resilience.
Nickie Dunn
Supervisee in social work, msw
When life feels directionless and overwhelming, taking the first step toward therapy can seem daunting. Perhaps you’re wrestling with feelings of shame, guilt, or fear of judgment, making the idea of being vulnerable even more challenging. You might be questioning whether therapy is truly necessary, or if it would even help at all. These doubts and anxieties are understandable, and they often stem from the very challenges you are hoping to address.
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I provide a supportive and empowering space for teens and young adults facing a variety of concerns including anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship issues, and life transitions. My approach is collaborative and strengths-based. I draw from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help you develop coping skills, gain self-awareness, and create meaningful change. I believe you are the expert on your own life; my role is to support and guide you on your journey to healing and self-discovery. I recognize that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all, and I tailor my approach to meet your needs and address your unique concerns. Together, we can work to challenge thoughts and relational patterns that are no longer serving you, and create space to step into new ways of thinking and being. I strive to create a therapeutic space that feels safe, affirming, and authentic.
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Having achieved my Master’s Degree in Social Work and clinical licensure later in life has reignited the passion I feel about being a helper. I bring to you both professional training combined with lived experience having served women and children at risk, adults with severe mental illness, children and adolescents with trauma, the elderly and end of life care, individuals in crisis, and coping with loved ones with substance use. Let’s work collaboratively to find the tools and treatment that are right for you.
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Danette kesner
licensed clinical social worker, lcsw, msw
Most of us experience difficult struggles because life is hard sometimes. You may be questioning your sense of worth and trying to find your voice. Or you may be experiencing the brokenness that accompanies the loss of a relationship or a loved one. You may be trying to manage the stress and anxiety that goes along with raising children and launching them into this wild world we live in. Perhaps you are trying to recover from the long-term effects of trauma or abuse, but doing any of these things on your own can be difficult.
My question to you is do you want to work through these struggles alone? If so, is it working for you? Or, are you open to having someone come along your side? As we work together, you may grow in confidence and a sense of worth with a voice that can speak to those things or people that threatened you in the past. You may find healing and hopefulness to move beyond your loss while holding onto the happy memories. You may also learn how to process and eventually cope with the pain of past trauma and abuse, while adding healthy ways to manage your stress, strengthening yourself and relationships.
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