About Kelly Zander

A native of Alabama, I grew up curious, adventurous, and drawn to the great outdoors. I spent most of my childhood exploring while barefoot, feeding (and running from) chickens, climbing fences, and hiking scenic trails. As I moved across the United States throughout my earlier years, my thirst for open-air adventure was always along for the ride. Much like my magnetism to nature, I have also been drawn to helping others find healing, connection, and authenticity in relationships. 

I moved to Belgium as an adolescent. As I gradually experienced the world through many different perspectives, I became more energized by observing how people connected with one another. This began in an educational setting, as I went to an international school, which served over 12 different nationalities. Traveling to places such as France, Germany, Poland, Morocco, Czechia, and Slovakia offered exciting and intentional challenges to expand my limits through integration with various cultures, languages, and beliefs. What I learned through these years was not only the beautiful mosaic that is diversity, but also that meaningful connection is a universal desire. We desire to be understood, and we thrive in being seen for who we genuinely are, as well as who we are becoming. Now as a military spouse, my horizons continue to expand as the military moves us from one adventure to the next.

These experiences ultimately launched me into becoming a therapist; they provided a springboard into helping individuals, couples, and families find healing. My hope is not only to help you feel seen and understood, but also to come alongside you as you discover a new way of connecting with those you love. This hope, coupled with clinically validated approaches, are utilized as clients work to meet their goals. The approach I use the most in my practice and hold advanced training in is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). It is my delight to support you and your relationships through skills I have gained and continue to learn.

The Christian faith I hold is a vital part of my identity, both in my work and in my life. I believe we are each created with the innate desire to be truly known. We seek meaningful connections in our lives not only to help discover who we are, but also to better understand those in our most important relationships. The confidence I have in the mending of relationships and healthy healing rests on this very faith. I not only believe this to be possible, but attainable. 

My husband of eleven years and I share many things together, to include a love of sports, a thirst for adventure, two energetic dogs, and three children who love to explore as much as we do. My ideas of relaxation include running, reading a good book, paddleboarding across any body of water, or sitting by a fire pit with a sweet tea in my hand.

Qualifications

• PhD Student, Developmental Psychology - Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

• Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA

• Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate (#A18152) in North Carolina

• National Certified Counselor (#1628133)

• Advanced Training in Emotionally Focused Therapy - Externship, Core Skills, and Supervision complete

• Emotionally Focused Therapy Individual Therapy, Level 1

• EMDR Trained