Best Addiction & Substance Abuse Counselors in Watertown, SD

As a psychologist/therapist, I want to work with you to gain the tools and strategies to help you move past the area that is of concern. I have been in practice for nearly 20 years, having raised three beautiful daughters and now enjoying 4 grandchildren. I believe that we must find the positive and the good in each day even if it's small to give us the power and motivation to move forward. It is not always easy, but it is definitely worth it. My approach combines cognitive behavioral, client/person-centered, solution-focused, psychoanalysis, trauma-focused CBT, and teaching individuals how to be kind to self by using healing oriented approach therapies. I will tailor our treatment plans to meet your unique and specific needs. When you are ready to take your first step towards change, I am here to help guide you toward a more productive life. Lets talk and begin a new chapter. You will not be judged, but understood.

As a psychologist/therapist, I want to work with you to gain the tools and strategies to help you move past the area that is of concern. I have been in practice for nearly 20 years, having raised three beautiful daughters and now enjoying 4 grandchildren. I believe that we must find the positive and the good in each day even if it's small to give us the power and motivation to move forward. It is not always easy, but it is definitely worth it. My approach combines cognitive behavioral, client/person-centered, solution-focused, psychoanalysis, trauma-focused CBT, and teaching individuals how to be kind to self by using healing oriented approach therapies. I will tailor our treatment plans to meet your unique and specific needs. When you are ready to take your first step towards change, I am here to help guide you toward a more productive life. Lets talk and begin a new chapter. You will not be judged, but understood.

Hello and welcome! My name is Kelli Means and my pronouns are she/her/hers. I am a licensed independent mental health practitioner (LIMHP) and licensed alcohol and drug counselor (LADC) in the state of Nebraska and a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the state of South Dakota. In 2019 I earned certification as a Certified Clinical Trauma Therapist and have maintained this certification with ongoing education in the trauma field. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2011 and my Masters of Science from Wayne State College in Community Mental Health Counseling in 2015. I have worked in the mental health field for 10 years and the past 6 years have been as a mental health and addictions therapist at non-profit agencies that work with state funding and/or sliding fee scales. I have worked in a variety of settings, including an inpatient psychiatric unit while attending my master's program, outpatient therapy, school-based therapy, and residential drug and alcohol treatment. I have found that my heart is truly in working with patients who have limited resources to meet their needs. While I have experience with children and adolescents, most of my experience has been working with adults. As a provider, I have worked with patients with a range of diagnoses and stressors, including (but not limited to): depression, anxiety, panic/panic attacks, schizophrenia (including first psychotic episodes), bipolar disorder, personality disorders, PTSD and trauma, LGBT+, grief/loss, relationships, sex trafficking, self-esteem, domestic violence, alcohol and other drug addictions, and dissociations. My counseling style is welcoming and conversational. I am known for being upfront and honest always and blunt when needed, though I tailor my approach to meet each individual's needs. My therapeutic approach combines Person-Centered, Reality Therapy, Solution-Focused therapist, Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive-Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, and Somatic therapy depending on what you want or need. My job will never be to fix you or change you. I believe all my clients are people first and more than the sum of their symptoms or their diagnosis. My most significant job as a therapist is to understand who you are and build trust with you; if you don't trust your therapist, you aren't likely to tell them much, and if you don't tell them much, you won't get much work done. My hope is to teach you to cope on your own and learn to be assertive with what you want or need in life. You are in control of your life and ability to make changes, I am merely a guide to help you when you are lost or uncertain. I look forward to meeting you and starting this journey with you!

I was born and raised in Sioux City, Iowa. I received my Bachelor's Degree in psychology from Morningside College in Sioux City . I earned a Master's Degree in Counseling from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota . In the spring of 2013, I was awarded a Specialist's Degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota. For six years, I worked as a counselor with a local community mental health center. In June of 2013, I established a private practice . In my years as a counselor, I have worked with a variety of populations experiencing a wide range of emotional challenges. This work has included working with families, couples, and children.

I am licensed in South Dakota with 6 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with stress and anxiety, coping with addictions, & motivation, self esteem, and confidence. I also have experience working with depression. I work with my clients to create an open and safe environment where thoughts and feelings can be shared without fear of judgment. Taking the first step to sign up for therapy can take courage and I am proud of you for getting started!

"Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful." (Joshua J. Marine) Everybody struggles with the challenges of life and everyone deserves a full and fruitful life. I am committed to facing these challenges with you and walking along side you to create the life that you deserve. I am trained in working with adolescents, adults, and families who struggle with substance abuse and dependence, depression, anxiety, postpartum anxiety and depression and personality disorders. I also have specialized trauma training for individuals with PTSD, C-PTSD, or unspecified traumas. I am also certified to work with those individuals who follow the Medicine Wheel traditions. Together we can meet and overcome the challenges that are preventing you from being the best you! Please email or call to schedule your first step on your new journey!

I am a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Idaho and in South Dakota. I have worked as a Counselor since 2015. I completed my Masters of Science in Mental health Counseling with Walden University. I have operated a private practice for the past 6 years that is person-centered in approach with Client therapy. My therapy style is seeing a person suffering from a disorder / issue not seeing the person as the disorder. I use a mix of techniques when working with Clients in order to create the best fit for each individual's personal growth. I have worked with adults with anxiety, depression, grief and addiction and helped them in coping with life changing transitions. I don't take credit for Client growth, since it takes a lot of courage from a Client to make changes when needed. I see myself as a helper / teacher of skills / objective entity for feedback in providing guidance for Client growth. I do what I can to help the Client learn how to become the change they want to be. I have experience in working with individuals, couples & families. I work with adults suffering from depression, mood disorders, anxiety, addiction and substance use, grief, and relationship issues. I work with Clients to educate on the use of healthy coping skills for anger management, self-esteem building, self-confidence improvement and every day issues. I use techniques form Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Existential therapy, Mindfulness, Narrative therapy, Psycho-educational, Matrix, and Solution-focused therapy.

My focus is to provide mental health and chemical dependency counseling services to individuals, couples and families with a variety of issues using a multitude of interventions including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in a positive, solution-focused fashion to help learn to solve their problems. I am a Licensed Professional Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Addictions Counselor. My experience includes providing mental health and chemical dependency counseling services to individuals, couples, and families in outpatient clinics, school districts, colleges, residential, hospital, crisis center & home-based settings. I am a member of the South Dakota Counseling Association, a branch of the American Counseling Association, and have served on the board in various capacities as the past Ethics Coordinator of SDCA, past president of the Sioux Chapter of SDCA, Past-President of SDCA, and President of South Dakota Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors. Issues include but are not limited to depression, chemical dependency, anxiety, crisis, adjustment disorders, Peri-natal mood disorders, OCD, mood disorders, women's issues, abuse, codependency, self-esteem, trauma, self injury, personality disorders, LGBTQ issues including transgender and gender identity, and stress management; Chemical Dependency Assessments; Couples Counseling; Family Counseling; Parenting Issues, CBT and DBT, EMDR, and many more. As a professional counselor I strive to help people to the best of my ability to help solve their problems and create change. I pride myself on core values and adhere to the ethics of the field. My work is based on the belief that my clients' individual needs are of the utmost importance. I am entirely committed to providing the best care possible. I would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust.

I am licensed in California, South Dakota and Washington with 30 years of professional work experience. I have experience in helping clients with coping with addictions, coping with grief and loss, eating disorders, & career difficulties. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. I will tailor our dialog and treatment plan to meet your unique and specific needs. Taking the first step to seeking a more fulfilling and happier life takes courage. I am here to support you in that process.