Kelsey DeRaffele Civetta, LMSW

Kelsey (She/Her) holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Special Education, as well as being a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). She has completed specialized training in Behavior Intervention, Harm Reduction, Trauma-Responsive and Resilience-Informed Care, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. With her extensive training, Kelsey is equipped to address a broad spectrum of needs, from individual behavioral and emotional challenges to systemic issues related to diversity and inclusion.

Kelsey has many years of experience in the social services sector, beginning with the creation of a recreation and social program for youth with developmental and intellectual disabilities. This initiative laid the foundation for her ongoing commitment to supporting individuals with diverse needs. Throughout her career, she has worked with various non-profit organizations, interacting closely with individuals, caregivers, parents, and families. Her most recent role involved working in group homes where she provided behavior interventions for adults with disabilities, addressing complex needs and fostering positive outcomes. Additionally, she has supported low-income youth in areas such as goal planning, career development, college guidance, and other essential services. Her experience also includes working at a sober home, where she provided support to LGBTQ+ individuals and their families, helping them navigate recovery and build sustainable, healthy lifestyles. Kelsey works with private clients, assisting them in working through personal challenges such as mental health issues, emotional struggles, and relationship difficulties, while helping them develop coping strategies, achieve personal goals, and improve overall well-being.

Her best friend of 27 years, Thomas, has been a profound inspiration for her career in the mental health field. Thomas, who has Williams Syndrome—a rare genetic disorder—has faced numerous challenges and setbacks. Despite these difficulties, his resilience and determination have been truly remarkable. Kelsey is deeply grateful to be part of his journey and finds immense joy and fulfillment in being one of his many supports, always offering a listening ear and unwavering, non-judgmental support. Through Thomas, she has learned that life is about pursuing what you love, and for her, that means building strong rapport with others and ensuring that they know they are not alone.

Kelsey deeply aligns with the core values and approaches of Wonder, especially in relation to the family systems framework and activity-based support. The family systems framework resonates with her as it emphasizes the interconnectedness of family dynamics and the importance of addressing the needs of each member to foster overall well-being. Additionally, she appreciates Wonder’s commitment to activity-based support, which focuses on engaging individuals in meaningful activities to promote skill development, enhance social interaction, and improve quality of life. These approaches reflect her own values of holistic, person-centered care and reinforce her commitment to creating supportive, empowering environments for individuals and families.

Her eclectic approach ensures that therapy is tailored to each individual’s needs, allowing for a more comprehensive and effective treatment plan that addresses various facets of their experience. When connecting with clients, Kelsey embodies empathy, patience, understanding, and a non-judgmental approach. She is committed to transparent communication and constructively challenges clients to foster their personal and emotional growth. Her dedication to professional integrity ensures that her practice is both effective and respectful. Additionally, she focuses on building strong, trusting relationships and adapting her approach to meet each client’s unique needs, thereby creating a supportive environment conducive to positive change.

Kelsey lives with her husband and their dog, Ollie. They cherish spending time with their family, particularly their six nieces and nephews. In her free time, she enjoys walking Ollie, experimenting with new baking and cooking recipes, and training for upcoming races as an avid marathon runner. She also takes great pleasure in cleaning and organizing, finding joy in creating order and efficiency in her surroundings.