About Me | Guided Therapy in Oklahoma
Hello! I'm Kelcy Eckels, a Licensed Professional Counselor based in Oklahoma (#5487). I'm dedicated to empowering big-hearted achievers toward internal calm, mental clarity, and self-compassion.
Clients describe me as someone with a calming and compassionate personality, unwavering patience, providing a genuinely real connection, and always giving 100 with some kind of skill, information, or reflection to help.
I've worked in the mental health field since 2008 and in private practice since 2014. I have extensive education and training in anxiety and trauma. I'd love to tell you more about my journey and how I work.
A Lifelong Learner
From a young age, I discovered the captivating science of psychology, a discipline dedicated to directly enhancing our experience of life. It was love at first psychology book.
This fascination ignited a lifelong passion for understanding how our minds shape our interactions with the world. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), complemented by a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology. I chose UCO’s psychology program because it is heavily research-based and practice oriented.
My commitment to continuous learning drives me to stay at the forefront of the field, keeping up with the latest research and treatment methods.
Rediscover Inner-Tranquility
Practical Experience
During my practicum at UCO, closely guided by professors, I gained valuable hands-on experience. I completed a clinical internship in an outpatient counseling setting and underwent a two-year supervision period akin to a doctoral residency.
In addition to this foundational training, I bring over 11 years of experience as a licensed therapist to my practice. This includes nine years of successful private practice, where I've had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients.
Furthermore, I have a unique pre-degree psychology background that includes roles such as Suicide Prevention Hotline Volunteer, Behavioral Health Rehab Specialist (Teaching Psychological Skills), Behavioral Case Management, Behavioral Coach for Kids with Autism, and Survivors Advocate for Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence.
These experiences have broadened my perspective and deepened my understanding of individuals' complex challenges.
I taught psychological skills for stress, anxiety, and depression in class settings. And teach continuing education and consultation for licensed mental health professionals.
It has been an incredible experience to help people in these ways. They all inspire me, and I want you to know that people do get better with the right help and can-do attitude. My commitment to continual learning and growth means I stay updated with the latest research and treatment methods in the field, so I can provide the most effective support to my clients.
Maybe You Had Therapy Before…
But you are ready for something more substantial beyond regular talk therapy & a couple of skills.
I intend to guide my clients step-by-step, building the skills and psychology info to lower high anxiety levels.
Skills that support "in the storm."
And skills that alleviate the tension baseline (where you hang out most of the week).
We can sort through thoughts and where the extra anxiety originates.
We can nurture and dissolve the experiences that linger and make you feel unsettled.
My Approach to Therapy
I aim to provide you with more than just a listening ear. Yes, we'll explore your thoughts, emotions, and dynamics, but we'll also apply practical strategies to guide you toward becoming the best version of yourself.
My ultimate goal is to help you become your own productive and caring therapist. I provide a lot of empathy, validation, and information about what is and isn’t healthy.
I tune into each person's unique needs while also challenging you to help you have a loving relationship with yourself and others.
I believe it is the provider’s role to make the information make sense to the client. I condense complex psychological info easy to understand through simple metaphors and analogies.
My goal is to provide substance. Although I am genuinely warm and nurturing, I like to get down to helping you. I strive to make my sessions a place to learn about yourself, heal & discover more purpose. I hope that you walk away with something to think about differently or something to practice each session, stepping closer and closer to your therapy goals.
