Kelsey Thompson, LMFT | Roseville CA

Kelsey Thompson, LMFT, Therapist in Roseville, CAThe most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one you have with yourself. I’m here to help you find peace within, reconnect with who you are, and build more authentic connections with others.

Hello, I’m Kelsey Thompson, LMFT (#124586), MA — a therapist based in Roseville and providing virtual therapy throughout California.

Starting therapy is a brave and powerful choice. I deeply respect your willingness to grow, heal, and understand yourself on a deeper level.

In our work together, you can expect empathy, clinical expertise, and a supportive space where your truth is welcome. My goal is to help you move toward a life filled with purpose, self-compassion, and connection.

Let’s begin this empowering journey together.

A few of my clinical specialties:

  • OCD (Certified in Exposure & Response Prevention)
    • Postpartum OCD & Postpartum Anxiety
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Trauma Recovery (Certified in Brainspotting)
    • PTSD from childhood abuse, sexual abuse, and accidental or sudden loss
  • Grief & Loss
    • Including cancer-related grief and traumatic grief
  • Substance Use & Addiction Counseling
  • Attachment Wounds and Relational Trauma
  • Adjusting to Motherhood & Identity Shifts
  • Self-Worth, Shame, and Inner Critic Work
  • Teens, Young Adults & Millennials navigating identity, anxiety and depression, trauma, and life transitions

Education & Clinical Work:

  • Bachelor of Science in Biology (BS) from California State East Bay
  • Associate’s degree (AA) in Human Services and Chemical Dependency
  • Master’s (MA) in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University
  • Mental Health Worker at a group home for girls who had been sex trafficked, Courage Worldwide
  • Drug & Alcohol Counselor & Clinician at Recovery Happens
  • Clinician at Next Move Homeless Services & Therapeutic Solutions 360
  • Chief Operations Officer and Clinician at The Davis Group
  • Owner, Supervisor & Clinician at Light Within Counseling
  • I am a supervisor to other associate therapists (BBS)

Certifications:

ERP therapy for OCD in Roseville

Trainings:

  • Addiction Counseling/ Drug and Alcohol Counseling
  • Brainspotting (phase 1/2/certification process)
  • Exposure Response Prevention Trainings (ERP):
    • Exposure and Response Prevention: The Gold Standard in Anxiety & OCD Treatment (Dr. Becky Beaton-York)
    • OCD Subtypes: Creative Treatment Strategies Using Exposure & Response Prevention (Dr. Patrick McGrath)
    • Tailored Exposures for Specific OCD themes (Dr. Ashlenn Von Wiegand)
    • Navigating Client Resistance in ERP Treatment for OCD (Dr. & Mr. Von Wiegand)
    • Scrupulosity, Harm OCD, & Social Anxiety/Agoraphobia: Artfully Using Exposure & Response Prevention (Dr. Patrick McGrath, & Jon Hershfield, LMFT)
    • Changing the OCD Mindset – Rapidly (Dr. Reid Wilson)
    • “Pure O” OCD Subtypes: How to Identify and Treat Them (Niki Rubin, PsyD)
  • ​Dropping the Baby and Other Scary Thoughts, 2nd Edition​ (15 hours)
  • Accelerated Resourcing Therapy (Trained by Timothy Wong, LMFT)- A combination of concepts from: Brainspotting, EMDR, ART, and various guided imagery exercises to accelerate the healing process for clients.
  • Flash Technique for Trauma: Rapid Trauma Processing for Clinicians Using EMDR, CPT, DBT, CBT, and IFS Therapy
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
  • Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
      • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Treatment For Veterans And Military Service Members With PTSD
      • Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 2.0
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT): An Educational Overview of a Best Practice Treatment for PTSD
  • Positive Discipline for Teenagers
  • Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) for couples with Addiction
  • Suicide Risk, Assessment & Management, Non-Suicidal Self Injury
  • The Effects of Trauma on the Brain
  • Children: The Invisible Victims of Affairs, The Working with Affairs, & High Conflict Couples
  • Sex Trafficking Trainings
  • Rethinking Teen Mental Health: A Path to Sustainable Healing
  • Mindfulness
  • Eating Disorders & PMADs: Supporting the Needs of Perinatal Women with Eating Concerns
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Eating Disorders

Featured in:

–Well + Good: How to Be Vulnerable: the Key to Better Relationships, According to Experts

–Brit.Co: How to Stop Thoughts at Night; According to Experts

–Thrivester: ADHD insider perspective from the pros

Work History:

My journey into the field of mental health began in a profound and eye-opening way, working in a group home, Courage Worldwide, for girls who had experienced sex trafficking. Witnessing the transformative power of therapy, I was inspired to delve deeper into this field. During my graduate studies and while I was an associate therapist, I worked as a therapist at Next Move Homeless Services, a transitional housing program for the chronically homeless, addressing severe mental illnesses and substance use disorders. My career continued to evolve as I spent a few years at a local intensive outpatient treatment center, Recovery Happens, helping both adults and adolescents manage substance abuse, navigate mental health challenges, and resolve complex family system issues. Throughout my time working at the IOP, I also provided substance abuse counseling to children at a middle school and high school in Davis, CA. In addition to working at the IOP, I worked in a private practice setting (therapeutic Solutions 360) providing individual and family counseling in a private practice setting. I transitioned and began working as therapist, clinical supervisor and Chief Operations Officer at The Davis Group in Roseville.

Today, as a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, 124586) and owner of Light Within Counseling, I bring a comprehensive blend of scientific knowledge and therapeutic expertise to my practice. I am dedicated to supporting each client through their unique challenges, helping them to discover healthier, more fulfilling ways to live. In addition to being a therapist, I am a supervisor to associate therapists working towards licensure. I also work with other therapists who are looking to start their own private practice or small group practice.

Let’s begin this transformative journey together as we explore effective paths to healing and personal growth.

A Little About Me

My Past

Experiencing trauma in my early teen years profoundly shaped my path, driving me to seek healing that was so transformative, it inspired me to become a therapist myself. My desire to offer similar support and guidance to others has become the cornerstone of my practice.

Raised in Roseville, California, I navigated significant life transitions from a young age. A move to Texas just before middle school, followed by a return to California where I graduated from Granite Bay High School, taught me resilience and adaptability—qualities that have deeply informed my understanding of the challenges and growth inherent in major life changes.

I pursued higher education in Humboldt and the Bay Area, experiences that further enriched my perspective and professional approach. I attended graduate school at Alliant International University  where I received my masters in marriage and family therapy.

My Life Currently

I wear many hats with pride and purpose: I’m a mother, a wife, a therapist, a daughter, a friend, a business owner, and a coach for other therapists. Each role brings its own joys and challenges, shaping who I am and how I show up — not just in life, but in the therapy room.

As a working mom of two young boys, I understand the mental load and emotional complexity of parenthood. I’ve lived the struggle of trying to balance it all — the overthinking, the relationship tensions, the moments of self-doubt. I also know what it’s like to face anxiety and trauma, to carry the weight of grief and uncertainty, and to walk alongside a loved one — my mother — through a devastating brain cancer diagnosis.

I’ve faced loss, stress, and deep overwhelm. But I’ve also done the work. I’ve healed, I’ve grown, and I’ve learned how to find calm within chaos. I’m still human — I have hard days, just like anyone — but I’ve built a life rooted in resilience, clarity, and compassion. That’s the energy I bring to the clients I work with.

My weekends are where I recharge: hiking with my family, gardening, enjoying live music, or relaxing with friends. As an avid traveler, I find inspiration and grounding in new places — from our annual trips to Kauai to spontaneous road trips through California. These moments are a reminder of what matters most: connection, presence, and joy.

I love exploring new places and embracing adventure whenever I can — whether it’s traveling to somewhere new, paddle boarding on a peaceful lake, or trying unique foods. Time with my family is everything to me. I cherish playing with my two sons, watching their imaginations come alive, and making memories together. Whether we’re visiting extended family or just enjoying a simple moment at home, those connections fill me up and keep me grounded.

To book your session, message us below!