About Therapist Kerry Järvi:
Hello, my name is Kerry and I’m a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Maryland and a Licenced Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington State. My career began as a teacher for Baltimore City Public Schools, and the philosophy of being an educator still guides my counseling approach.
As a strengths-oriented counselor, my emphasis is helping people recognize their strengths and areas for growth. For kids, teens, young adults, parents and caregivers, this often means working together to identify barriers, develop an understanding of their diagnosis, and practice skills to overcome or manage symptoms. It also means teaching about rights and self-advocacy in a school or job.
Whether you’re struggling with communication issues or conflicts with friends, family, or coworkers, we can work together to navigate those difficult relationships in life.
I am passionate about the power of play as a tool to heal, grow, and transform relationships. Children’s natural language is play, and by using Play Therapy it enables children to communicate without the need to use words. This approach increases accessibility to treatment, especially for those who have sensory sensitivities or do not have the language to communicate their experiences or needs. This powerful tool can be used to build trust, learn socialization skills, learn emotion regulation skills, increase problem solving, improve communication skills, and most importantly, increase self-esteem.
For teens, young adults, and adults I offer support in many different areas of well-being. As life gets more complex with school, work, relationships, and other commitments, people often experience stress from struggling with time management. I can help you develop healthy coping skills, effective time management strategies, and self-care practices to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Additionally, if you’re dealing with questions of identity and self-esteem, whether related to gender, sexuality, race, or immigration status, I provide a safe, judgment-free space for self-exploration and personal growth, helping you become the authentic version of yourself you aspire to be.
Education and Experience as a Therapist
Becoming a professional counselor was not my first career path. I received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from The University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in 2014. Inspired to create social change in the world, I became an elementary school teacher through Teach For America in Baltimore. A key aspect of my teaching approach involved building connections with students and families, and I grew frustrated in my limited capacity to help with challenges they faced outside the classroom.
This was my motivation to return to school and become a professional counselor. In 2020 I completed my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University, Seattle. In the same year, I also earned my Play Therapy Certificate from the Antioch Center for Play Therapy. I have worked in Community Mental Health and as a therapist since then using elements of Play Therapy, mindfulness, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and art-based therapy as part of my approach – always guided by the interests and needs of the client.
Specialties
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Life Transitions
- Children, Adolescents, and Adults
- Parent Coaching for Neurodivergent Youth
- Executive Functioning
- Trauma- informed care
- Anxiety
- Depression
Personal Life
Outside counseling, I enjoy spending time outdoors by camping, biking, and hiking. I also stay connected with nature through volunteering, cleanup, and sustainability efforts. On a hot summer afternoon you might find me at the community pool or in the bleachers at a baseball game. Although I grew up as a St. Louis Cardinals fan, I’ve welcomed the Baltimore Orioles and Ravens into my sports family as my home teams.
When I’m not immersed in a book or baking, I find comfort in the company of my pet cat Mochi. I relax by spending time with friends through online gaming by playing strategy, exploration, and puzzle games. As the son of an immigrant, I find it important to spend time practicing my Finnish and connecting with my heritage through local Finnish and Scandinavian organizations. In addition to doing one-on-one counseling, I also lead social skills groups for kids, teens, and young adults using Dungeons and Dragons and Minecraft.
Contact Kerry Järvi
Email: Kerry@mccounselingcenter.com