Travis S. Kessell, M.A.
I began my journey toward becoming a professional counselor in my high school A. P. Psychology class. I fell in love with the subject, first as a way of understanding myself and how I was made, then as a way to understand others. We each have a story that’s worth being heard, and studying psychology became the way I started to hear my own story.
When I started college, I initially thought I was going to study psychology, go on to seminary, and become a youth pastor. I was highly involved in my church’s youth group as a teen and wanted to see others in my youth group grow in their faith the way I had experienced. It was during my freshman year of undergraduate my calling shifted to professional counseling. Initially, I thought I would become a marriage therapist, but my work with youth throughout my time in undergraduate and graduate school moved me to focus on child and adolescent therapy. I wanted to provide the safety I was given by adults outside of my family as a teen when I faced my own challenges. I wanted to hear their needs and walk with them toward healing. Kids and teens have an emotional honestly I want to nurture.
Faith, Science, and Summer Camp
I received my B.S. in Psychology: Counseling and Human Development from Liberty University in 2014. I needed to complete an internship after graduation to fulfill my degree, so I was set to be a camp counselor at River Valley Ranch in Manchester, MD. That summer was the first place I saw my faith, knowledge, and desire to help adolescents converge. Campers allowed me into their lives in ways I could not have predicted. I could share how my faith had shaped me and brought healing. I spent my summers at RVR in some capacity while completing my M.A in Human Services Counseling: Marriage & Family and my M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Liberty University. My time there helped form my relational style working with children and adolescents.
What does therapy as my client mean?
Looking back to my junior year of high school, sitting in my psychology class, that’s where I first began learning how to be a therapist for kids and teens. I began to understand myself as a 15-year-old, and now I guide others toward understanding themselves. First and foremost, kids and teens want to be seen for who they are and to feel loved simply for being themselves. As adults, we sometimes forget how hard it was to discover our identity in our youth.
My work as a Therapeutic Day Treatment Counselor in Rockingham County gave me the chance to work with middle school students who struggled with both behavioral and emotional issues; including ADD, anxiety, depression, and anger. It was a joy to daily work in the school system and see student clients flourish as they learned about themselves, healed, and formed deep friendships.
Work with me means kids and their families will have the space to be heard, learn to hear one another, and grow together. As a therapist, there is no greater privilege than providing a safe place for kids and teens to explore their struggles. My various positions in mental health have given me experience with a range of issues. Whether they’re struggling with behavior at home and school or wanting to heal from something more complex, I’ve helped kids and teens work through depression to know joy, through anxiety to know peace, and to learn who they are meant to be. My faith guides me to recognize the gift children and teens are to our world, and all of my work is built on helping my clients see the gift they are.
The fees will be a low flat rate fee of $55.00 for individuals and $65.00 for couples and families. (Travis is not a participating provider with insurance companies at this time.)
If you have any questions for Travis, please give him a call. He is more than happy to answer any questions you may have and speak with you personally. Call 540 885-3481 for more information.