Karen "Kay" Keys, MA, Resident in Counseling, has an extensive educational background and professional experience in the field of counseling. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Mississippi Valley State University in 1986. She then pursued a Master of Arts in Computer Resources and Information Systems from Webster University, graduating in 2001. Kay furthered her education with a Master of Arts in Licensed Professional Counseling from Liberty University in 2002 and is currently a PhD candidate in Social Psychology at Liberty University, expected to complete her degree in 2028. She also holds an EMDR Basic Certification and is a Certified SYMBISS Assessment Facilitator, (A pre-marriage assessment tool, to help couples prepare for marriage and strengthen their relationships).
With over three years of experience in individual, couples, and family counseling, Kay specializes in working with a diverse range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, body dysmorphia, PTSD, personality disorders, obsessive-compulsive personality disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, autism, and Christian counseling. She works with clients aged 14 and above, including adolescents, young adults, adults, and older adults/geriatrics.
Kay employs an integrative therapeutic approach tailored to each patient, utilizing techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mentalization-Based Therapy (MBT), play therapy, Internal Family Systems, Mindfulness, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
Kay believes there is nothing more powerful than being permitted to take a journey with a client as they explore and discover their resilience and strength to become the best version of themselves. She values the uniqueness of each individual, which provides a new connection that will never be duplicated. While the goal is to change the lives of the client, Kay acknowledges that the clinician grows with each unique experience, honing skills in preparation for the next client.
In addition to her professional achievements, Kay is a proud U.S. Air Force veteran and an active member of several organizations, including the American Counseling Association (since 2019), Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Honor Society (since 2021), and Kappa Epsilon Psi Military Sorority, Inc. (since 2015). Outside of her professional life, Kay is a proud mom and auntie who enjoys spending time soaking in the sun on the beach or engaging in family activities. She cherishes her "Karen’s-day out," where she spends alone time at the movies enjoying her favorite snack, popcorn. Kay also enjoys working out and encouraging women to do the same.
