Kimberly Hanson, MA, LPC, RPT, CIMHP
(she/her/hers)
About Me
As a Licensed Professional Counselor (Supervisor candidate), I am deeply motivated and committed to meet an individual where they are at and walk alongside that person trying to navigate the healing journey. I also recognize that trauma, chronic pain and illness, anxiety, depression, or other mood and behavioral problems do not need to define you or your life. I understand how it feels to be lost in your identity when society, religion, family, or others have told you who to be, how to behave, and what to think. It can be challenging to make sense of it all and navigate through the process of letting go and moving on.
As a lifelong learner, I love to meet people who share my passions and interests while attending a workshop, seminar, or retreat. I have prayed, sung, played, danced, painted, and created my way through life and hardship. It is through these experiences that I am stronger, healthier, and more resilient than I have ever been. As a survivor that has overcome my own share of trauma, chronic pain/illnesses, loss, depression, and anxiety, I am a supporter and strong advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
I have spent most of my life caring, mentoring, counseling, and educating others. I prize what makes each person unique and special, and how humans can overcome challenges with such great resolve and strength. I firmly hold that every life has worth, value, and purpose and that each person has the capacity to create. This is when the truth becomes real and the heart begins to be restored. I believe that beauty comes from within, and that one of the most profound ways to center oneself is to be in the solitude and serenity of nature. I, too, know firsthand how the power and presence of animals does wonders for the soul and the mood. I also believe in the healing power of prayer, creative expression, the imagination, laughter and play as a fundamental process to mental health and overall wellbeing.
Education & Experience
I am a trauma specialist and an EMDRIA approved Certified EMDR Therapist, an Expressive Arts Therapist, Registered Play Therapist and Certified AutPlay™ Therapy provider, Shake Your Soul Expressive Movement Facilitator, and Soma Soul Somatic Therapist completing clinical credentials for ISMETA’s Registered Somatic Movement Therapist and United States Body Psychotherapy Association’s Registered Somatic Psychotherapist. I also am a Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional in holistic health and wellness practices.
I received my Masters in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in 2016 as a restart on the second phase of my life, but I have decades of experience in special education, leadership, community service, women’s mentorship, ministry, and counseling. I hold undergraduate degrees in Special Education and Theater, as well as Interior Design. While in my undergraduate program, I was the Executive Director for the first Annual Very Special Arts Festival in the Shenandoah Valley that has continued three decades later! I also have experience with both therapeutic riding programs for special needs children and EAGALA certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapy. I have worked in both residential and outpatient programs for a variety of populations, age ranges, diagnosis and medical conditions, including those with challenges such as Autism, ADHD, attachment and relationship issues, brain injury, behavioral and cognitive difficulties, emotional challenges, physical limitations, as well as trauma, grief and loss.
Because talk therapy does not always access the emotional wounding and other deep places of the psyche and heart that words cannot express, I incorporate a variety of multi-sensory, body/breath, mindfulness-based, and creative methods in sessions. These methods are effective, evidence based models and include EMDR, Expressive Arts Therapy, directive and non-directive play therapy approaches, Internal Family Systems(IFS), Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), among other interventions to achieve optimum results.
Professional & Volunteer Affiliations
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP)
American College for Lifestyle Medicine
Association for Play Therapy (APT)
EMDRIA
Institute for Creative Mindfulness
Leven Institute for Expressive Movement: (Shake Your Soul & SomaSoul)
Specialty Area
- ADD/ADHD/Disruptive Behavior Disorders
- Abuse/Neglect
- Anxiety/Panic Attacks
- Autism Spectrum
- Bipolar Disorder
- Chronic Illness/Medical Issues
- Chronic Pain
- Depression
- Mood Disorders
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Sexual Abuse
- Somatic Issues
- Spirituality
- Stress Management
- Traumatic Incident
Population Served
- Adults
- Group
Language
- English
Insurance
- Does Not Accept Insurance
