Luretha Kelly , LICSW, LCSW

Luretha Kelly is a seasoned clinical social worker licensed to practice in the District of Columbia and Mississippi, bringing 16 years of professional experience to her therapeutic work. She specializes in supporting people who are coping with trauma and abuse, anger, motivation and self-esteem challenges, and depression, helping them move toward greater resilience and well-being. Luretha holds the credentials LICSW and LCSW - LICSW means Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and LCSW means Licensed Clinical Social Worker - reflecting advanced training and licensure in clinical social work.

She approaches each person with the belief that they are the expert of their own story and that their existing strengths can be mobilized to address the difficulties they face. Luretha emphasizes the courage required to pursue a more fulfilling life and aims to create a collaborative space where clients can explore change at their own pace. Her style centers on support and empowerment, working alongside clients as they take the initial steps toward healing and lasting growth.

Clients seeking guidance for mood concerns, self-confidence, trauma recovery, or strategies to manage anger and motivation will find a clinician focused on practical tools, compassionate listening, and a strengths-based perspective designed to foster meaningful progress.

Therapeutic Approaches and Flexible Online Care

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps clients clarify their values and take committed action toward a meaningful life, even when difficult thoughts or feelings are present. It is often used for issues like anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress and to improve daily functioning. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) teaches practical skills in emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness, and mindfulness - tools that can be especially useful for managing intense emotions, anger, and relationship challenges.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process; the therapist will work with each client to determine which methods best align with their needs, goals, and personal preferences. This collaborative fit is part of the therapeutic plan and can be adjusted as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can occur via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to access care from home, while maintaining continuity of support when life is busy or circumstances change, and allow licensed professionals to offer consistent therapeutic work across distances.