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Therapist works to end stigma around mental health issuesFree Access


Licensed professional counselor and mental health advocate Kelly Houseman has made it her mission to normalize therapy.

Kelly Houseman Courtesy photo

She opened her practice, Kelly Houseman Counseling, in 2016, providing a listening ear for all of her clients. She described her method of therapy as talking to a friend.

Houseman, who grew up in Michigan, said therapy can be good for anyone, in all stages of life. She has clients who come in when transitioning into college, some who are struggling to start families and others who are discussing future plans.

“Therapy is whatever you need it to be,” she said.

She said she chose a career in therapy because for her it was a normal practice throughout her life. She saw the process work firsthand for her friends, family and even herself.

“I believe in it,” she said.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in communications from Rochester College and her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Long Island University in New York.

When it came time to move her family back to Michigan, she and her husband chose Grosse Pointe based on the community feel, closeness to the parks and “of course, the view of the lake,” she said.

Along with sharing her experiences as a professional, she often opens up about the pressures of being a parent.

She has two children younger than 5 years old and shares the importance of not being so hard on yourself as a mom, wife or professional.

“I can’t be perfect at everything, but I can be really good at all of my roles,” she said.

She especially encourages people to “look up” from social media and recognize it is not the real world.

Amid the pandemic she expanded her practice to virtual sessions.

She said her clients are even more comfortable opening up because they are on their “home turf.”

Her sessions are all 50 minutes and she is planning on continuing virtual sessions well beyond the pandemic.

Her website hosts her podcasts, in which she discusses mental health topics with celebrities and other public figures. She said her mission is to use platforms like television and her podcast to get the message out about normalizing therapy.

“If I can get even one person into therapy, then I’ve done my job,” she said.

She speaks at in-person events, offers her expert opinion on newscasts and has been featured on YouTube channels and social media platforms.

She said there is something on her site for everyone.

Her podcasts and blog posts may be viewed at kellysreality.com and sessions with her may be booked at kellyhouse
mancounseling.com.