About Me | psychotherapyandyoga

Kiel Walters, LICSW

Psychotherapist & Yoga Instructor

I have extensive experience working with adults and adolescents to address anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship problems, low self-esteem, perinatal mood concerns, adjustments to life transitions, substance use, and other concerns. I use a holistic approach to treatment that attends to the mind-body connection in order to best support clients in the healing process.

My path to becoming a psychotherapist started with witnessing and hearing about my mother's role as a psychotherapist from the time I was very young, and recognizing my own passion for connecting with others as she did. Throughout my adolescence, I became more and more aware of my strengths in empathizing and offering support across various relationships and roles. After following my interests and refining my skills through my undergraduate degree, I went on to work at a wilderness therapy program where I connected with adolescents struggling with a wide variety of difficulties. It was incredibly powerful to see these teenagers' transformations as they embraced a natural environment and connection with their emotional experiences, as well as to recognize the value of therapy from a holistic perspective.

I went on to obtain my graduate degree, and only confirmed my passion for this work once I began connecting with clients in a therapy setting. It has been such an honor and source of fulfillment to me to be invited into people's lives, to hear their stories of struggle and strength, and to witness the progress that occurs through processing and supported change.

I have been practicing yoga alongside my school and work experiences since I was introduced to it in 2001. It has been a part of my life to varying degrees since then, providing me with an avenue for physical and emotional expression while guiding me to connect more deeply with myself. In recent years, I have embraced the philosophy of yoga beyond the physical poses it embodies, realizing its value in challenging unhelpful thought patterns and providing tools for coping with distressing feelings and experiences.

My Education, Professional Background and Credentials:

Bachelor's of Arts in Human Development and Psychological Services from Northwestern University
Master's in Social Work from University of Minnesota
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Minnesota since 2012
Six years experience as a psychotherapist at Relate Counseling Center
Clinical Social Work Supervisor since 2013
RYT-235 Hour Yoga Teacher Training from Devanadi Yoga
Yoga Calm Youth Instructor Certification