Guiding YOU to becoming the BEST version of YOURSELF.

About Kelley Kitley

Kelley provides her patients with the highest quality of confidential treatment in a serene retreat like atmosphere, located on The Magnificent Mile in downtown Chicago. She’s a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been inspiring clients for the past fifteen years. Kelley is a sought after international women’s mental health expert and author who has appeared in hundreds of publications, podcasts, live news, and radio including WGN, NBC, The Chicago Tribune, Huffington Post, Self, Shape, and as a columnist for Fitness Magazine, Recovery Connection, and Thrive Global. Kelley has shared her experience, strength, and hope on national media outlets such as Dr. Oz, Megyn Kelly TODAY, and Access Live, and as a TEDx speaker. Learn more about Kelley’s speaking engagements here.

Kelley has an eclectic array of experience using a holistic approach. Her areas of expertise include anxiety and depression, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, enhancing relationships with couples, using a short term model called cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT.) Kelley also works with patients in longer term treatment to work through trauma,(including rape and sexual abuse) eating disorders, substance abuse, loss and phase of life issues.

She’s an action oriented therapist who believes the therapeutic process is a partnership and works with clients to define and ultimately achieve their goals. She uses positive psychology and coaching to help people be the best version of themselves.

MY self: An Autobiography of Survival by Kelley Kitley

MY self is a memoir about family dynamics, sexual assault, postpartum anxiety and panic and addiction. As a mom of four kids in six years, a business owner, and resident of Santa Monica without any family support, Kelley Kitley experienced postpartum anxiety at varying degrees when each one of her children were born. She felt alone and ashamed. She felt overwhelmed, couldn’t sleep albeit being exhausted, irritable, and perfectionistic. There were happy times but also dark times. In her book, she shares her journey of survival and ultimate triumph through medication, therapy, and connecting with other moms authentically. Kelley, now an Amazon Best Selling author, has been recognized by The Chicago Library Foundation and The Chicago Public Library for her contribution to the Chicago cultural literary legacy.

Purchase now on Amazon.

Treatment

Kelley’s primary approach is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. CBT is the theoretical orientation we practice that focuses on the link between thoughts, behavior, and emotions. Research has demonstrated that CBT is the most efficacious form of treatment for several psychological problems, including depression and many forms of anxiety including panic disorder, phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessions, and compulsions.

CBT is a present-focused approach to therapy and the emphasis is on understanding the thoughts and behaviors that maintain symptoms, testing out new behaviors, and changing your approach to your thoughts, either by challenging maladaptive thinking or learning to accept internal experience in a non-judgmental fashion.

Kelley also uses insight-oriented and psychodynamic treatment approaches to help you understand the impact of your childhood experience on your current functioning.

Consultations, Life Coaching, Keynote Speaking Opportunities, Psychoeducational Presentations, and Media Appearances are also available upon request.

Couples

Maintaining a strong and healthy connection with your partner is a MUST in any relationship. The special conditions of pregnancy, recovering from childbirth, running a busy household, balancing work and multiple children can make it difficult to prioritize your relationship and leave you feeling like you are living with a roommate not a romantic partner.

Many of the couples I work with have enormous responsibilities on a day-to-day basis, often feeling depleted by the end of the day with nothing left to energize their relationship. It is important to make a conscience effort to increase emotional and physical intimacy.

We need to slow down and be reminded of what made us fall in love with our partner in the first place. Remember how much you would look forward to seeing one another at the end of the day when you were dating, trying out new restaurants together, participating in common interests together, laughing, and what you were initially physically attracted to.

Relationship Tip #1

Once the kids are in bed, carve out some time to turn off the “screens” and check in with each other, rather than run through the list of things that need to get done the following day. Find out about a project your spouse is focused on at work, set up your next date night, share perspectives about a topic going on in the news.

Relationship Tip #2

Be present and listen to what your partners needs are (and make sure they hear yours) so you can be a team rather than focusing on what your partner is NOT doing. Replace “You never put your clothes in the laundry basket and you always leave dirty dishes in the sink” with, “I don’t feel as exhausted at the end of the night when you help me get the kids to bed.” “I really appreciate being able to get to the gym on the weekends before we start all of the activities.”

Relationship Tip #3

Keep a list of what is already working well, what you appreciate about each other, and continue to build on the strengths. “He compliments me when I am feeling less than attractive”, “she stopped at the grocery store on her way home from work and picked that gallon of milk we needed”, “we share common core beliefs about parenting”, “when I am worried about something, he is a good sounding board and helps simplify things”

Relationship Tip #4

Take turns initiating “sexy time” at least once a week. It can be a great way to relieve stress and help relax to get a good night’s sleep. Most couples report that they feel emotionally closer to their partner after they have engaged in some kind of physical touch. Put sexual intimacy on the calendar and make each other accountable. Often times we say we are too tired at the end of the day and physical intimacy is the first thing to go by the wayside. Try setting the alarm 15 minutes early – morning sex is a great alternative!

Loving relationships require continual work. You must be patient and make a commitment to keep it thriving.

Serendipity. (serənˈdipədē).

n. the happy occurrence of fortunate discoveries by chance.

Speaking Engagements

In conjunction with Kelley’s passion for 1:1 and couples treatment in the office, her mission is to break the silence and stigma of mental health and addiction and provide hope for those still struggling. Her philosophy is that anyone can benefit from at least 1 year of psychotherapy. She believes we would all be more gentle with ourselves and empathic toward one another.

Kelley is a national keynote speaker, moderator, workshop presenter, and panelist on topics including but not limited to:

work/life balance
women’s issues
overcoming adversity
mental health
current events
addiction/recovery
motivational/inspirational

Past Speaking Engagements:

Keynote Thrive Counseling Center Gala Oak Park Country Club

Mental Health of America Conference Workshop Presenter “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Wellness” with Keynote Abby Wambach

She Recovers Weekend Retreat at The Beverly Hilton Panelist “We Are All Recovering from Something” with Keynote Cheryl Strayed

Resilience Gala “Survivor’s Story” Speaker with Tarana Burke #metoo Founder

The Well North Shore Workshop Facilitator “Becoming the Best Version of Yourself”

Chicago Woman Week Get Noticed at EvolveHer Workshop Facilitator Entrepreneurship

Creative Women’s Company Speaker/Facilitator Creating Your Own Business “Never Take No for An Answer”

Renewing Mom Speaker “Enhancing Your Relationship After Children”

Bump Club and Beyond Resident Expert Speaker and Group Facilitator “Post Partum Depression and The Baby Blues”

Timberline Knolls Eating Disorder Moderator at Loyola University

Media

Articles/Links:

“How Do You Unpack Your Emotional Baggage? Experts weigh in” – Megyn Kelly Today

“Why one therapist chose to reveal her own painful past” – Chicago Tribune Bool Release Story

“Moms and Drinking” – Chicago Tribune Feature Article

“‘I Refuse to Let Someone Have my Power’: Stories of Survival After Sexual Assault” – Survivor’s Project NBC Chicago

Fees and Schedule

Initial Diagnostic session is $300 for 60 minutes. Re-occurring appointments are $250 for 45 minutes. Extended intensive sessions for 90/120 minutes are also offered upon request. There’s a 48 hour business day cancellation/no show fee. The appointment time you’ve booked is reserved exclusively for your convenience. If you cancel your appointment with less than 48 hours notice or don’t show up to your appointment, the full rate for the session will be charged.

Serendipitous Psychotherapy, LLC is an out of network provider. Payment for service is required at the time of appointment. If you have insurance coverage, you can submit the receipt for reimbursement. Kelley will assist in providing all appropriate information needed. Cash, checks, Health Savings Account, Visa and Mastercard are accepted.

Kelley’s office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 7:15 am to 2:30 pm to accommodate before work and lunch appointments for the business professional.

Contact

Kelley Kitley, LCSW
737 N Michigan Ave
Suite 1540
Chicago, IL 60611
312-590-5710

Parking

$17 validated parking up to 2 hours
$19 validated parking up to 4 hours
Ample street parking just west of Michigan Ave.
Enter building on Chicago Ave.