Kimberly Hanson
Founder, Licensed Professional Counselor, MA, RPT, CIMHP
My focus is to heal the body, mind, and heart by encouraging you to listen intently to what your authentic self needs. I will guide you in finding meaning in pain, so that your past doesn’t have to dictate your future.
I understand how it feels to be lost in your identity when society, religion, or people have told you who to be, how to feel, what to think or ways to behave.
Life brings challenges to everyone, but trauma, chronic pain, and other hardships don’t have to define you.
With years of experience in caring, counseling, mentoring and educating others, I’m dedicated to finding solutions and supporting others. I prize what makes every person unique, and I firmly believe every life has value, worth and purpose.
Since talk therapy alone may not reach the deepest emotional wounds, I incorporate multi-sensory, body-based, mindfulness, and creative techniques in our sessions. Using a holistic and strengths-based approach, I’m here to help you live in alignment with your authentic self so that you may become the best version of yourself!
Specialties
Trauma and Adverse Experiences
Chronic Pain and Illness
Self Esteem and Identity
Relationships
Life Transitions
Neurodiversity
Mood Disorders
Treatment Approaches
Eye movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Expressive Arts Therapy
Somatic Therapy
Play Therapy
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT)
Professional Experience
I earned my Master’s in Professional Counseling from Liberty University in 2016, following decades of experience in special education, leadership, community service, women’s mentorship, ministry, and counseling. I have worked in residential and outpatient settings and have experience in therapeutic riding programs for children with special needs, as well as EAGALA-certified Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.
During my undergraduate years, I served as Executive Director for the first Annual Very Special Arts Festival in the Shenandoah Valley, which continues today 4 decades later! In 2002, I participated in the inaugural Out of the Darkness Walk in Washington, D.C., supporting the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and I remain a strong advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Credentials & Affiliations
Licensed Professional Counselor — SC # 7060
Registered Play Therapist — Association for Play Therapy (APT)
Certified AutPlay Therapy Provider — Dr. Jason Grant, AutPlay Therapy
Certified EMDR Therapist — Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing International Association (EMDRIA)
Certified Integrated Mental Health Professional (CIMHP) — Nutrition and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health, Leslie Korn Institute For Integrative Medicine
International Expressive Arts Association (IEATA)
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) and Out of the Darkness Walks
Institute of Creative Mindfulness
Education
Liberty University— MA Professional Counseling
Northwest College of Arts — AOS Interior Design
James Madison University — BS Special Education/ Minor Theater Art
Press and Media Features
Mount Pleasant “Best Therapist” of 2024 Finalist
Voted by the community as Finalist for “Best Therapist ” in Mount Pleasant’s 2024 “Best of” Awards. Read Article.
Counseling Today Magazine Interview
Featured interview in “Why the Body Matters” on the efficacy of somatic psychotherapy and body-based practices in therapy sessions. Read Article.
