Kelly Paynter (She/Her)

My Approach to Helping

My approach to counseling is rooted in the idea that sometimes past events, relationships, and life circumstances get in the way of us being the best version of ourselves. I believe that everyone has strengths, and my goal is to help you identify (or remember) what those strengths are so that we can build on them and help get you back on the path towards the life you want. I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board-Certified Art Therapist. This means that I have the qualifications to utilize both traditional “talk therapy” and art-making in the healing process. Art therapy integrates self-expression through various art media, such as drawing and painting, the creative process, applied psychological theory, and the human experience within the therapy relationship. Will I MAKE you do art and draw your feelings? No, only if we decide together that art making is something you’d like to incorporate in your healing process.

My Personal Beliefs and Interests

I enjoy spending time with my two amazing kiddos, my very supportive husband/partner, and our very fluffy cat Huckleberry. I have a deep love of camping and being on the water. My first job was teaching small boat sailing right down on the Willamette River! I am an artist and I use the creative process as my own self-care. I enjoy working within many different mediums but some of my favorites include photography, painting murals or other large-scale pieces, sewing, and more recently making resin jewelry. I value the beauty of well-crafted things and as a result of this appreciation, I have committed to the challenge of personally restoring our 1928 bungalow. I’m 2 years in so wish me luck!