Kelli Burns, LCSW
Therapist for Teens, Adults, and Couples
Pronouns: She/Her
Self Pay Rates:
- Intake Session: $185
- Individual Therapy: $160
- Family Therapy: $175
- Couples Therapy: $175
- Sliding Scale Offered
Insurances Accepted:
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Optum
- BCBS
- UHC/UMR
Who I Work With:
- Teens (16-18)
- Young Adults (19-25)
- Adults (26+)
Locations Served:
- In person in Macon
- Online/Virtual therapy for residents of Georgia
Specialties:
- Life Transitions
- Women’s Issues
- Spirituality
- Trauma & PTSD
- Anxiety
- Self-esteem
- ADHD
- Stress and Burnout
- Anger Management
- Healthcare Workers
- LGBTQIA+ Youth & Adults
- Trans and Nonbinary
- Depression
- Divorce
- Grief
- Family and Relationship Conflict
- Men’s Issues
- Veterans or Active Military (and their families)
- Parenting
- Peer Relationships
- Racial Identity
- Pregnancy, Prenatal, Postpartum Support
Integrative Modalities:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
- Somatic Experiencing
My Story
Hi I’m Kelli and I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker here in Georgia. I’m originally from Detroit, Michigan, and my journey into this work began in a deeply personal way. When my mother was placed on hospice, I was introduced to the world of end-of-life care and emotional support, and I learned what it truly means to sit with someone in their most vulnerable moments. That experience stayed with me and planted a seed I couldn’t ignore.
Therapy is my second career. I’m a retired U.S. Air Force veteran and spent nearly 30 years working in the federal government. This season of my life is rooted in purpose-driven work that feels aligned with who I am and what I’ve lived. My experiences have shaped how I show up with care, patience, and deep respect for each person’s journey.
I believe in empowering people not just to talk about their feelings, but to truly experience, understand, and move through them. I see healing as a lifelong journey, one that evolves over time, and I’m passionate about helping clients slow down, connect with their bodies, and listen to what they are holding. I strive to create a space where judgment is not welcome and where safety, honesty, and gentleness can exist as meaningful healing work unfolds.
My Area of Expertise
I specialize in working with people who are strong, capable, and often exhausted from carrying too much for too long. Many of the clients I support are navigating trauma, grief, relationship wounds, major life transitions, and seasons of emotional burnout or survival mode, especially adults and older teens who feel disconnected or overwhelmed beneath the surface.
My work is deeply trauma-informed and somatically grounded. I focus on helping clients reconnect with their bodies and emotions, gently process past experiences that still live in the nervous system, and move toward a more grounded, present way of living. I have a special heart for those carrying childhood wounds, complex family dynamics, spiritual tension, and the quiet weight of always being “the strong one.” Over time, I’ve developed a strong ability to help people feel safe enough to do the deeper work, not just talking about pain, but slowly and respectfully untangling it.
You don’t have to have it all together to start therapy, you just have to be willing to be honest. I offer a safe, grounded, non-judgmental space where we can slow things down, listen to what your mind and body are telling us, and do the healing work together.
How I Approach Therapy
What's My Vibe
I approach therapy as a collaborative partnership built on trust, respect, and safety. I believe you are the expert on your own life, and my role is to walk alongside you while supporting your nervous system and emotional world at a pace that feels honest and supportive.
My work is trauma-informed, somatic, and person-centered. Sessions with me are not rushed. We pay attention to what’s happening in your body as well as your thoughts, making room for emotion, meaning, and real life experiences. I believe that slowing down is often where the deepest healing begins.
Warm, grounded, real, and gently direct. My style is a balance of compassion and honesty. I’ll hold you with care while also telling the truth when it matters. Sessions with me often feel calming and reflective, sometimes emotional, sometimes light, and always human.
I bring authenticity, humor, spirituality, and deep respect for your process into the room. I’m not here to perform therapy on you. I’m here to sit with you, create safety, and help you learn to listen to yourself in a new way.
What I Am Like Outside Of The Office
If you weren’t a mental health professional, what would you be doing?
A full time traveler and food critic lol.
Favorite quote
“You can’t heal what you won’t face.” – Jay Z
Do you have any secret talents?
Sleeping on the edge of the bed without falling off when my grandbaby is in the bed with me.
Beach or mountains?
Beach
What is your go-to "feel good" song?
Bring Em Out by T.I.
Favorite movie and the movie that I can watch over and over again
Love Jones
My Education and Credentials
My Credentials:
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Georgia
Clinical Specializations and Certifications
- EMDR Therapist
- Trained Somatic Experiencing (SE) Therapist
My Education:
- Masters of Social Work, Valdosta State University
- Bachelors of Science in Human Services, Mercer University
Professional Service & Membership