About | Explore Therapy NC

Hey, I'm Kelsey L. Morris!

I am a person who identifies as a queer, cis-gendered woman. I believe that our community is stronger when we empower each other. I am a person who is white. I seek to be anti-racist in everything that I do and acknowledge the white privilege that I possess. When working with a person who identifies differently than myself, I seek to ask questions and not make assumptions. I aim create a space for open dialogue. I commit to creating brave and equitable spaces for all people.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I would like to work with adults who want to join in explorative therapy. My primary experience is in community mental health, which includes folks experiencing depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, mood disorders, and other mental health symptoms. I believe I am using my strengths when working with folks experiencing stress, wanting to improve relationships with others, who have or are experiencing trauma, people who identify on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, people in life transitions, wanting to increase self-awareness and/or self-esteem, and those experiencing or recovering from religious trauma.

My Story

My name is Kelsey L. Morris. I am someone who loves stories and how stories impact our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. The stories we believe impact our lives and how we function in the world. We often gather these narratives from our families, friends, larger society, community groups, institutions, and our own life experiences. The impacts of the stories range. I personally have often found myself in a place with dialectical oppositions. On one hand I was raised in Asheville, North Carolina, regarded by most as a very progressive community, while on the other hand the city is very racially segregated. I was taught to be kind to everyone, while I often received messages that put people in “us/them” boxes. I was raised southern baptist, but I was a woman who wanted to have her own voice. I was taught to love everyone, but I am not welcomed in some spaces because I am queer. I have done a lot of personal exploring, developing, and growing about these dialectical oppositions and stories that have impacted my life. I have done some reclaiming and some letting go in my life. I believe it is important to use our voices to be kind to others. I want to use my personal and professional experiences to empower others and to give hope to others.

I have wanted to be a therapist for a long time, but it wasn't my first dream. When I was in kindergarten, I wanted to be the President of the US. I laugh at that now and can't imagine what I was thinking then. Being a therapist feels way more true to my person and my heart. I have been working in social work since 2012 and have been a therapist since 2017. I align deeply with social work values and enjoy being a therapist.

I believe it is important to do what you love and to find ways to balance work and life. I also enjoy traveling and learning about people, places, and cultures. I enjoy hiking and going on walks in nature. Spending time on the water whether canoeing, floating, or resting on the bank is a major joy for me. I enjoy spending time with people I love and my dog, Kinsley! I also enjoy playing board games, having deep conversations, and going to community events.

Why Explore Therapy NC?

When deciding to start a private practice, I spent time thinking of a name and the one that kept coming back to me was "Explore." The word explore has several meanings to me - I enjoy exploring people, places, and the world around me! According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, exploring encompasses traveling in or through, familiarizing yourself, inquiring, examining, and evaluating. I believe exploring leads to learning and understanding.

I believe exploration is a major part of my work as a therapist as well. I ask a lot of questions and have found processing and talking to be a way to explore our thoughts and feelings. My approach is strength-based, individualized to your needs, and collaborative. We will explore together, develop skills and ideas, and grow together. My overall hope is that you will flourish.

Experience and Education

I obtained my Masters in Social Work at the University of Chapel Hill in North Carolina in 2017. During my studies, I had the opportunity to work in an Integrated Healthcare internship at a facility based crisis unit and at a primary care clinic . The Integrated Healthcare training taught me to explore the mind as well as the body in treatment. It also encouraged me to ask questions about physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health. I believe all of the different types of health impact us daily. I received my Bachelors in Social Work at Appalachian State University in 2012. After my BSW, I started working in community mental health with children and families.

My most recent experience has been in community mental health in Asheville, North Carolina. I worked as a therapist on an Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT) for the past 5 years. I was the ACTT Team Lead for the past 2.5 years. I enjoy working with folks in the community and meeting people where they are at. My social work experience over the past 10 years has been in community mental health. I received my associate license (LCSWA) in 2017 and became fully licensed (LCSW) in 2019.