KY A. MILLER, MSW, LCSW/LSW
My approach to therapy
Hey, hey! My primary clinical focus is working with clients who experience challenges in self-concept (self worth, self-esteem, sense of self, relationship with self), relationships with others, and overcoming trauma (developmental, sexual, relational, and more!).
Many people who seek my services say that they recognize patterns they would like to change.
I work with teens, young adults, and adults (plus their family members!) who experience:
- anxiety
- low self-esteem, negative self-talk, lack of confidence
- childhood trauma (physical/emotional/sexual abuse)
- relational/attachment trauma (changes in caregivers, divorce, absent parent, break ups with significant others, betrayal)
- traits consistent with Borderline Personality Disorder (this is relational/attachment/developmental trauma)
- sleep disturbances/insomnia
- those who experience challenges with family relationships/social pressures related to their gender identity and/or sexual orientation. LGBTQ+ affirming, competent, and experienced space!
Enhancing self esteem
- correct negative self-talk
- build a stronger sense of/relationship with self
- improve confidence
Healthy relationships/cycle-breaking
- identify key pillars of relational health
- explore your attachment style and repair
- explore your boundary style and move toward establishing healthier boundaries
- enhance effective communication
- understand safe/unsafe relationships
Family functionality and parenting support
- help family members understand needs behind behaviors
- effective behavior management strategies
- communication, boundaries, and building healthy relationships that last across the lifespan
- explore family values
Exploration of neurodivergence and support around executive function.
Treatment approaches: attachment-focused, trauma-informed family systems/psychodynamic using a mix of IFS, EMDR, with traces of CBT/DBT. Inclusive practitioner. My approach is transformational, not adaptive - Meaning I don't want to teach you how to carry the weight of your past. I seek to help you heal, so you are carrying less.
**Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 in our geographical area, only telehealth is being offered at this time**
Finally - you will likely find me to be warm and compassionate, an excellent listener with a direct communication style. I am passionate about the well-being of people and animals and strive for a responsible existence.
Director of Community Impact
As the Director of Community Impact, Ky provides direction to the Light Source therapist collective by upholding the key social work principle to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession’s dual focus on individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living.
In order to build stronger communities and improve the quality of life for the people living in them, Ky is focused on community impact through community-based needs assessments, educational initiatives, supporting those in helping professions, and advocacy. Other projects include suicide prevention, opioid remediation/risk reduction, and mental health conference planning.
For more information about education, consultation, or training, please visit the ALIGN page.
Ky: A bio
Ky earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications at California State University, Bakersfield and a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Boston University. Ky holds independent licensure in Missouri (LCSW 202301268), and in Illinois (LCSW 149.025630).
Ky completed an advanced clinical practicum in a sexual trauma specialty program. Through this program, Ky worked extensively with clients who had experienced severe relational, developmental, and sexual trauma.
Working through psychodynamic, attachment/relational, and trauma-informed approaches, Ky conceptualizes relational challenges through a trauma-informed lens allowing for intergenerational healing to occur. Ky believes that because trauma occurs within relationships, trauma can be healed through relationships. Whether that is relationship with a spouse, your parent, or your therapist, we will also examine relationship with self, nutrition, sleep, and many other things.
Ky's areas of specialization include relational/developmental complex trauma, which lends well to parenting and family systems work.