About Me
☎ (206) 486 - 0295
✉ kelly@crescentwellnessinc.com
Kelly Druin Sievertson, LICSW
How I Got Here
In 2005, I was living just outside of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. As you can imagine, I was not prepared for something like this. Instead of starting graduate school as I'd planned, I was forced to evacuate. My worries about starting school quickly changed to procuring my basic needs, like food and safety. I watched my beloved city become fractured and flooded, and I saw its people experience overwhelming despair and hopelessness.
I got the opportunity to help individuals and families affected by Katrina. I helped them navigate enormous trauma and losses, including the loss of their loved ones, homes, pets, as well as their sense of safety and security.
During this time, I remained aware and thankful that my burdens were far fewer than those of many of my neighbors and friends. I was also in awe of their resilience. Not only were they able to remain strong in the face of almost unbearable loss, but they were also able to carry on and even offer support to others affected by the same tragedies. It validated my belief in the resilience of people facing even the direst of circumstances.
Often, the very things we want to run away from are the things that teach us about ourselves. The hurricane presented new directions and opportunities for me. It reaffirmed that I had chosen the right vocational path. It helped me to realize the importance of mindfulness, compassion, meeting life honestly, and courageously. It taught me that the only way out of suffering is to go right through it.
I'm not suggesting you turn all your lemons into lemonade. I aim to empower you to focus on the choices you have in the face of limitations and connect to what matters most to YOU.
Maybe your circumstances aren't as extreme as a hurricane. Dealing with changes or losses is an inevitable part of life, so I know you're no stranger to it. How you deal with these problems can play a significant role in your psychological health over time.
Having someone you can trust and confide in is essential for building resilience. Talking about the difficulties you are coping with doesn't make them go away, but working with a therapist can make you feel like you have someone in your corner. I can help you gain insight and new ideas that will help you better manage your challenges.
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” - Anais Nin
Training & Experience
Licensed Independent Social Worker (LICSW)
Master of Social Work degree from Tulane University with a focus on clinical and community social work
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of New Orleans
Certified in Traumatic Stress Studies from the Trauma Center at JRI
EMDR Basic Training, EMDR Institute, 2018
EMDR Advanced Training in Attachment Focused EMDR, 2019
Pediatric Social Worker at Harborview Medical Center - Seattle, WA 2010-Present
Medical Social Worker at Children’s Hospital - New Orleans, LA 2007-2009
Social Work Intern at Metropolitan Center for Women and Children - New Orleans, LA 2006
Psychiatric Counselor at River Oaks Hospital -New Orleans, LA, April 2004- January 2006