Kelly Thompson Therapy

06/17/2026

A parent recently told me:

“Sometimes I want to run away from my life.”

There was no judgment from me when they said it.

Because I’ve felt that too.

When you’re supporting a teen or young adult child who is struggling, the weight can feel enormous. You worry constantly. You question yourself. You carry responsibilities that most people never see.

Wanting a break doesn’t mean you love your child any less.

It means you’re human.

If you’re in the thick of it right now, I hope you know this:

You deserve support, too.

❤️ If this resonates with you, save it for later or share it with someone who may need it.

06/15/2026

If grounding exercises haven’t worked for you, you’re not alone.

Many people think grounding should make anxiety disappear. But that’s not actually the goal.

Grounding is about reconnecting with the present moment when anxiety is pulling your attention into the future.

The next time anxiety shows up, try picking up an everyday object and noticing:

• the texture
• the temperature
• the colors
• the shape

Think of it as an anchor that helps bring you back to the here and now.

💬 What’s a grounding tool that has actually worked for you?

06/13/2026

Lessons with Lucy 🐾

When anxiety gets loud, it’s easy to get pulled into worries about what might happen next. What can we do when we notice this happening?

Shift back to the present moment using a grounding tool.

One thing I love about dogs is how naturally they bring us back to the present moment. When I feel overwhelmed, spending a few minutes playing with Lucy brings me right back to the here and now.

If anxiety has been feeling loud lately, see if you can find one small moment of connection today—a deep breath, a walk outside, a conversation with someone you trust, or maybe a few minutes with a furry friend.

🐾 Lucy and I are curious:

When you need to feel more grounded, what’s your go-to?

🌿 Taking a walk?
☕ Matcha with a friend?
🎵 Music?
🐶 Time with a pet?

Drop yours in the comments ⬇️

06/12/2026

If you’re lying awake at night worried about your teen, wondering how to help while feeling shut out or unsure what to do next, you’re not alone.

I am asked this question a lot:

“Should I make my teen go to therapy?”

My answer might surprise you: usually no.

When therapy feels forced, teens often become more resistant and less willing to engage in the process. This can affect not only their relationship with a particular therapist, but also their perception of therapy as a whole.

Here’s what I do when parents are concerned about their teen, but their teen doesn’t want to attend therapy:

I invite the parent(s) to meet with me first. Together, we can talk through concerns, explore options, and identify ways to support the teen.

Sometimes helping a teen starts with supporting the adults who care about them.

Parents: What has helped you keep communication open with your teen during a difficult period? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments.

If you’re a parent wondering how to support your teen’s mental health, I’d love to connect. You can schedule a 20–30 minute intro call using the link in my bio.

06/10/2026

One of the things I hear most often is:

“I’m interested in therapy, but I’m not sure where to start.”

That’s exactly why I offer a free 20-30 minute intro call.

This call is a chance for us to connect, talk about what’s been weighing on you or your family, and explore whether working together feels like a good fit.

You don’t need to have the right words.
You don’t need to know exactly what you need.
You don’t even need to be sure therapy is the next step.

The goal is simply to have a conversation, answer your questions, and help you gain clarity about what support might look like moving forward.

Curious about working together? I’d love to connect. Schedule a free intro call through the link in my bio.

06/09/2026

I wish more parents of teens knew this.

When a teen says “I don’t know,” it’s often not avoidance or defiance—it’s language for something they don’t yet have words for.

Sometimes it means:
“I feel something, but I can’t name it.”
“I don’t know how to explain it without getting it wrong.”
“I’m still figuring it out myself.”

These moments can feel quiet on the outside, but internally there’s usually a lot happening.

Connection doesn’t always start with answers.
Sometimes it starts with making space for not knowing.

06/08/2026

I hear a lot of narratives about Gen Z.

Most of them don’t match what I see in my work.

They’re often described as anxious, overwhelmed, or “too much.”

But I see something different. I see honesty.
I see curiosity.

I see a willingness to name what isn’t working instead of just pushing through it.

They don’t accept “that’s just how it is.”
They talk about mental health more openly.
They value authenticity over appearances.
They question systems that don’t make sense.
And they define success on their own terms.

That shift matters.

Because it changes what healing, growth, and support can actually look like.

And if you’re a Gen X parent trying to understand and stay connected to your teen or young adult—I’m here for you too.

Working with Gen Z gives me hope because it reminds me that change is possible.

What’s something you’ve noticed about Gen Z that doesn’t get talked about enough?


therapist

06/05/2026

Too sensitive.
Too emotional.
Too dramatic.
Too needy.

If you’ve ever heard these messages—or felt them about yourself—you’re in the right place. 🤍

For many people, those messages don’t stay in childhood.

They show up later in quieter ways—apologizing for taking up space, shutting down when things feel overwhelming, putting everyone else’s needs first, and slowly losing touch with who you are.

This is something I understand not only as a therapist, but from my own lived experience. I know what it’s like to believe your feelings are “too much,” and to spend years trying to make yourself smaller just to feel accepted.

I hear this all the time: “I know something is going on, but I can’t put it into words.”

Healing isn’t becoming less emotional, less sensitive, or less you.

It’s learning how to make room for your experiences without judgment.

If this resonates, you’re not alone. 🤍

Share this with someone who needs this reminder today.

Follow for real-life support for teens, young adults, and families navigating the in-between spaces of life.

Want to talk about it? You can book a free intro call through the link in my bio— a space to see what support might feel like for you.

05/10/2026

02/11/2026

Service has always been one of my core values.

Not just in my therapy office.
Not just in the quiet, one-on-one moments.

But in showing up for our community.

Meeting with our state representatives.
Advocating for youth.
Standing beside families as they find their voice.

Service keeps me connected — to purpose, to people, and to the belief that systems can change when we care enough to show up.

It’s easy to stay in our lanes.
It’s harder (and more meaningful) to step into the bigger conversation.

Grateful to advocate.
Grateful to serve.
Grateful to Live, Thrive, Discover — together.