- Stress and anxiety
- Addiction recovery
- Trauma and coping
About Kelly
Kelly Ambrose is an LCSW - a Licensed Clinical Social Worker - with 13 years of clinical experience in Illinois. She works with people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, and depression. Kelly also lists a range of related concerns she supports, such as attachment issues, body image, chronic illness, codependency, and dissociation.
She focuses on clear, practical work in sessions. Kelly listens to what feels most urgent and helps people break problems into manageable steps. Sessions tend to emphasize skills for coping with strong feelings, improving communication, and reducing behaviors that cause harm or get in the way of daily life.
Kelly draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques and adapts them to the person in front of her. She aims to build routines and small experiments that can be tried between sessions. This often includes practicing different ways to respond to anxiety, checking how relationships affect mood, and developing realistic plans for recovery from addiction or trauma reactions.
Her background includes extensive experience across several presenting issues, and she has worked with people facing chronic pain, cancer, and complex attachment histories. Kelly uses straightforward conversation about goals and progress, with an emphasis on practical problem solving and clearer communication.
People who prefer direct, skill-focused sessions may find this approach helpful. To start, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session through the online therapy options button. The subscription model for sessions can be canceled at any time.
How evidence-based methods are used online
Kelly uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on practical changes. One common approach is skills-based work that teaches concrete ways to manage anxiety and strong emotions, such as breathing exercises, behavior experiments, and stepwise exposure to difficult situations. These tools help with panic, social anxiety, and fear-driven avoidance.Another frequent element is trauma-informed coping strategies that prioritize safety and pacing. That includes grounding techniques, pacing of difficult memories, and building daily routines to reduce symptom flare-ups. These methods aim to reduce overwhelm and increase the ability to tolerate distress in manageable steps.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Kelly will work with each person to decide which techniques fit their needs, goals, and preferences. She checks progress regularly and adjusts plans based on what is helpful in real life.
If you plan to try online sessions, confirm the exact session formats before booking since the biography does not list them. Many people find online appointments easier to fit into work or family schedules, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time. Talk with Kelly about timing and session length so appointments fit your routine and goals.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
13+ years
Listed in
Illinois
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
Kelly works with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, anger, and depression, plus related concerns such as attachment issues and body image.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her approach uses practical, evidence-based techniques and focuses on skills, short experiments, and clearer communication.
How many years has she been practicing?
She has 13 years of clinical experience as a licensed social worker.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LCSW licensed in Illinois and practices there.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the US work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are session costs handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with her?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule a first session.