Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Galer.
Hi Kelsey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I am a licensed mental health counselor, and owner of North Star Therapy, a thriving mental health practice in downtown Tampa. We currently have a great team of therapists and partner with many local health organizations to provide the best mental health care in Tampa, as well as providing telehealth services for all of Florida. My goal as a therapist and business owner is to maximize the quality of life for those struggling with mental health issues and disorders.
The value of managing your mental health is undeniable. Millions of people live with unmanaged stress, anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other issues that are highly responsive to treatment if you get help. Too many of us have witnessed the detrimental effects unmanaged mental health can have on individuals, families, and society at large. When we are psychologically well, we can connect with other people, thrive in relationships, find peace, provide for ourselves, contribute to the world around us, take care of our bodies, and most importantly, feel joy in living. With the help of a trained therapist, it is possible to achieve this state of wellbeing. That is the goal of my practice, North Star Therapy.
The North Star has helped millions of people find their way for centuries. Like a good therapist, it offers guidance when you need it most. I feel so lucky to have the privilege to help people on their journeys toward better health and happiness. Day after day, I am humbled by the resiliency of my clients. They inspire me immensely.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life is rarely a smooth road, but the challenges we encounter can be our greatest assets. Any road toward a goal will have obstacles, and I certainly encountered mine. While completing six years of education, and two years of post-graduate internship, I made quite a few changes in my life. I moved to a new state which was a significant catalyst for growth, seeing who I was in a new place. I came to terms with the parts of me that needed healing, so that I could truly show up for my clients in the ways I need to. It was a challenge finding an internship and completing two years of clinical hours prior to getting fully licensed with the board. Some of my early work in the field was with the department of justice, which was as much of a thrilling opportunity to study human behavior as it was a disillusioning peek into the darker sides of criminality and its intersection with mental health. I spent time developing North Star Therapy, and when I took the leap into private practice full time, covid gave me a new challenge. I learned to pivot as needed, and always keep moving forward.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love being a therapist. That never surprised me. What has surprised me is how much I love running a business. I dove headfirst into leadership, marketing, partnerships, financials, all of it. For North Star to be able to help people, all these things must be done well.
One aspect of my business I find wonderful is providing opportunities for other therapists. Currently, a large portion of opportunity for therapists is with the conglomerate, online platforms. It’s great that mental health is becoming more accessible, however there is something to be said about small businesses, how we operate as part of the local community, and how carefully I curate my team to guarantee we’re offering the best services.
North Star Therapy offers both online and in-person sessions. I love that my practice is able to offer in-person sessions; it is an experience that is traditional and timeless, where you have the space to say things out loud, or feel a silence, in a room, with another human being, and the outside world on the other side of a door. Of course, online therapy is a significant part of my practice, as we offer telehealth services throughout all of Florida. Telehealth has helped to destigmatize therapy and is a great option for those who need convenience or care from home, with proven results.
It’s exciting that mental health has become less stigmatized because it means more people will get help. There is a growing awareness that you don’t need a diagnosed pathology to attend therapy. Perhaps you just want another perspective, a safe space to grow, or support as you navigate challenges. Couples counseling is an invaluable investment into your relationship, whether there are big traumas or you’re simply looking to improve communication.
North Star Therapy treats a variety of mental health issues and concerns for adults, couples, and adolescents. We are in downtown Tampa on Ashley Blvd. We have a renowned therapy fish named Freud who is completing his thesis soon. I am very excited to continue to grow the practice and help more people with their mental health.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.therapyintampa.com
