About Kim Reid

My Story

One of my favorite quotes that guides me in my personal and professional walk is from Maya Angelou, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” When a client walks through my door, I choose to believe that they are doing the best that they can. My desire is to help them, when they are struggling in the midst of doing their best, to find "the better." That requires listening without judgment, unconditional positive regard, validating and affirming, and finding ways to see things and do things differently to bring about change. It's not easy but when you have a guide helping you notice what's coming at you and helping you to become more self-aware and self-accepting, it can happen ... one small step at a time.

I have experienced my share of struggles with anxiety, postpartum depression, trauma, and grief and loss. In seeking healing, I learned early on that we heal in community. As human beings, we are by our very nature, relational. My greatest desire as a counselor is to take the knowledge, experience, and support that have been poured into me over the years to assist others in finding the perseverance, character, and hope that can emerge from the struggles we face in life.

Like anything worth doing in life, living a healthy lifestyle takes work. It takes practice. Practice makes prepared. I so enjoy helping clients to prepare themselves to live a healthier, happier life through intentional practices we implement along the way. I'd love to join you in your journey and help you write a life-changing chapter in your story.

I have been married to my husband for 34 years. I am the mother of four adult children (little counseling experience there too). I am proud to be a native Floridian and enjoy reading, walking, the beach, and spending time with my family. I am a member of Orangewood Church in Maitland where I enjoy serving in the community to share hope with others through the love of God.

My Education & Experience

Attending the University of Central Florida, I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. I received my Master of Science degree in Mental Health Counseling from Palm Beach Atlantic University. During my studies at PBA, I earned a Play Therapy certificate which has profoundly informed and supported my work with children and families.

My six+ years of counseling experience are comprised of peer counseling with women in crisis prior to working with individuals, couples, and families as a professional mental health counselor.

In addition to my education and experience, I have invested significantly in additional training to better meet the needs of my clients.

In my work with couples and families, I have completed Level 1 Training in Gottman Method Couples Therapy and use Gottman Method Couples Therapy in my work. In addition, I am a Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator. "Bringing Baby Home parents workshops help parents strengthen their friendship, increase intimacy, and regulate conflict—thereby improving their well-being and that of their child(ren)." I am also a SYMBIS (Saving Your Marriage Before It Starts) assessment facilitator. This assessment is grounded in multiple studies to ensure that the tool is both reliable and valid. It is a wonderful tool in pre-marital counseling covering everything from money methods to personality styles in order to provide a personalized roadmap for your relationship. I also have completed training in EFT (Emotion Focused Therapy). This relational therapy focuses on attachment to treat trauma, anxiety, and depression.

I specialize in the areas of grief and loss. I am a Certified Grief Educator, listed with Grief.com. "A Certified Grief Educator is committed to providing the highest level of grief support through education, experience, and insights into the often unacknowledged rocky terrain of grief.

Certified Grief Educators complete a certificate program designed by world-renowned grief expert, David Kessler. They bring his unique methodology, tools, and decades of experience to help people navigate the challenges of grief."

In addition, I am a group leader with the international GriefShare program. "A GriefShare support group is a safe, welcoming place where people understand the difficult emotions of grief. Through this 13-week group, members discover what to expect in the days ahead and what’s “normal” in grief. Since there are no neat, orderly stages of grief, participants learn helpful ways of coping with grief, in all its unpredictability—and gain solid support each step of the way."

Important to note is that grief and loss happen in all areas of life, not just in the loss of a loved one. Often transitions in life are times where clients must face loss, deal with pain, and work to rebuild and figure out their "new normal."

In addition, my training in CBT, DBT, EFT, and IFS, strongly inform my work with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, behavioral issues, and relationship difficulties. The most important factor in counseling is the therapeutic relationship built between the client and counselor, based on trust. In treating my clients, honest, open communication is my focus as we work together to decide upon goals for treatment and the plan we take to heal and grow towards improved wellness overall.