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Kelly McDougal, M.A.

Genesis 2:25 describes that when Adam and Eve were first created, they were “naked and were not ashamed.” As image-bearers of God, we have an inherent desire to be known; however, because of brokenness and sin, we are scared that if people really knew us, they would reject us. Kelly believes that the essence of the counseling experience is a relationship in which the client feels fully known, yet cared for and accepted. Most people fear that revealing their true feelings and fully engaging with their emotions are signs of weakness. It has been an honor for Kelly to share in those sacred moments with clients, and it is often in their brokenness when dignity and real connectedness have been discovered. Through her experiences as both a counselor and a client, Kelly has witnessed the power of relationships to hurt and to restore. Therefore, she considers it a true privilege to walk with clients through suffering and towards healing.

During her counseling internship, Kelly had the opportunity to work with individuals, families, and adolescents facing different challenges such as alcoholism, suicide, divorce, depression, parent-child relationships, unemployment, sexual abuse, abortion, and self worth issues. Kelly has a particular passion for working with children and has seven years of experience mentoring, teaching and leading youth and adolescents in a variety of settings.

Kelly graduated Magna Cum Laude with her MA in Counseling from Covenant Theological Seminary in St. Louis. She and her husband, Jason, are St. Louis natives and both attended Truman State University in Kirksville, MO where Kelly received her BA in Psychology. Jason and Kelly currently live in Falls Church, Virginia and are looking forward to seeing how God uses them here!