Kelsey Marks, LCAT, ATR-BC
Kelsey Marks is a New York-licensed Creative Art Therapist and psychotherapist with nearly 15 years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, both individually and in group settings.
Kelsey recently found a homework assignment from fourth grade: when she grew up, she wanted to be "an artist, a therapist for children, or a marine biologist." Two out of three ain't bad.
Kelsey’s therapeutic foundation began with a psychodynamic approach, but over time, it has incorporated additional approaches based on her experience. She recognizes that no single intervention works for everyone. Her approach is now best summarized as person-centered, drawing from cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, psychodynamics, trauma-informed care, as well as art and play therapies. She deeply enjoys working with young adults navigating change and transitions, but her extensive experience with children and adolescents remains a source of strength and joy.
Kelsey graduated from NYU in 2009 and spent more than seven years in inpatient child and adolescent psychiatry at Bellevue Hospital. There, she gained a wealth of exposure to diverse populations from across the city who were suffering from the broadest possible variety of mental health concerns. While at Bellevue, Kelsey co-created and co-authored a therapeutic group called "Mind Over Matter," addressing high-risk substance use and abuse. This IRB-researched, manualized group is still used as a training module for residents, fellows, and medical students.
At Bellevue, Kelsey led groups focused on trauma, including "Skills, Training, Affective, Interpersonal Regulation," or "S.T.A.I.R.," a group designed in collaboration with NYU's Child Study Center. S.T.A.I.R is an action-oriented group that gives clients unable to express the unspeakable the tools to begin recovering from trauma by building the coping and communication skills necessary for daily function.
Following her time at Bellevue, Kelsey began seeing individual clients while continuing to expand her experience through training focused on DBT, Grief, Anxiety, and executive functioning skills for neurodiverse clients. In addition, Kelsey began working at P.S. 321, an elementary school in Park Slope, pursuant to a grant obtained through NYU's Art Therapy in Schools program. There, Kelsey was able to see first-hand the impact of the pandemic on social skills and anxiety in youth. Using art and photography to improve communication is particularly important in Kelsey’s work with children.
As a mother of two residing in Brooklyn, Kelsey understands the unique challenges of parenting and navigating life’s many transitions. She restores and refreshes herself through exercising, Zen Tangling, taking pictures (even if just on her phone), and being with friends and family in green spaces or near the water.
For additional clinical content written by Kelsey, check out these links!