Kelsi started her career in counseling as a substance use counselor in Carroll, Iowa. For three years, she learned from experienced substance use providers about providing support for individuals recovering from addictions. This experience provided an invaluable starting point for understanding, empathy, development of clinical skills, and knowledge on substance and behavioral addictions. 

Kelsi moved onto working in Sioux City at Jackson Recovery Centers as an outpatient clinician for women providing Intensive Outpatient programming and then becoming a clinical supervisor. Throughout her few years at Jackson, it built confidence, assertiveness, and strength to lay the foundation for building this private practice. It also affirmed her strong belief and interest in working with women. 

From Sioux City, Kelsi moved to Mason City and started an intensive outpatient program at Prairie Ridge and later ran the women’s residential program for over three years. She helped grow the program and developed leadership skills to partner with others who were passionate about women’s recovery to build a strong recovery program for the state of Iowa. 

After three years of running the program, Kelsi was asked to take over the Hampton outreach office as a mental health and substance use clinician. She has worked in Hampton for over 4 years, growing the program to provide quality mental health and substance use care for individuals. In 2023, Kelsi opened up Onward Therapy, a private practice, in Hampton, Iowa. She specializes in providing therapy to women and adolescent girls throughout all life stages and transitions. Kelsi also provides individual mental health counseling in the Hampton Dumont High School and Middle School one day per week.