Kimberly Keiser
MA, LPC-MH, CST, CST-S
Kimberly Keiser is an AASECT certified sex therapist and AASECT certified sex therapist supervisor. She provides clinical supervision and clinical consultation upon request. In addition, she develops educational training and development presentations, CEUs, and webinars for professional and lay audiences in the fields of sex therapy and trauma therapy.
Clinical Research Interests
Throughout my career as a psychotherapist specializing in sex therapy and trauma therapy, I have come to understand that there are critical psychological and physiological processes at work that that manifest themselves into the symptoms that clients have when seeking my services.
As I continued to explore this clinical inquiry through reading, clinical training, and ongoing case work, I began to see similar processes in many of my clients undergoing trauma therapy for sexual health-related symptoms. I became more convinced of the importance of not only scientifically understanding what was happening, but also systematically producing a body of work based on empirical evidence. Only with the integration of medicine and psychology, mind and body, can we truly provide relief to those patients suffering from psychosomatic symptoms associated with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), specifically in the field of sex therapy.
Beyond that, I delight in the possibility that it will be possible to understand the intersection of human psychology and physiology and the specific pathways and mechanisms by which psychological trauma manifests itself in physical symptoms. Clinical experience continues to lend itself toward this metaphorical pattern in which physiological pathways and associated symptoms carry untold stories.
My long-term research goals include conducting and publishing research in the field of psychosomatic medicine, specifically as it relates to sexual dysfunctions and PTSD. It is my sincere desire to continue to provide psychotherapy and to conduct and publish research, making untold stories known.
Clinical Supervisor’s Scope of Competence
I have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. I have a master’s degree in General Psychology (with a heavy concentration in psychodynamic-oriented theory and practice) and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology (with heavy concentrations in Rogerian, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and family systems theory and practice). I have also studied premedical sciences in a postbaccalaureate premedical program. I am currently pursuing coursework toward earning a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and am a researcher in Dr. Kristine Jacquin’s clinical forensic neuropsychology lab at Fielding Graduate University.
I am a licensed professional counselor in the State of South Dakota (license #LPC-MH2246) and a Board Certified Supervisor in the State of South Dakota. I have met all requirements to be an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist and an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist. I am currently working toward becoming an AASECT Certified Supervisor.
I have advanced training in Gottman Levels I and II and in Internal Family Systems (IFS). I currently hold two adjunct teaching positions in the departments of Psychology and Counseling at the University of South Dakota and South Dakota State University. I have worked as a counselor in private practice, a mental health clinic, and an EAP program for the past 10 years; I currently work full time in private practice.
I have worked in supportive clinical roles (e.g. volunteer or pre-licensure status) since 1999. I also worked in the academic and commercial spheres in a clinical research capacity for seven years. I was heavily involved in personal coaching through Landmark Education for more than 10 years.
My theoretical orientation is eclectic as I draw upon multiple theoretical and practice frameworks. I lean heavily toward a foundation in psychodynamic theory and practice for case conceptualization, utilizing other modalities as instruments of change.
Approach to Clinical Supervision
Supervision is designed to assist you in improving your counseling skills, case conceptualization skills, personal growth, and professional identity. As your supervisor, I will function in four roles during our sessions: teacher, consultant, counselor, and evaluator. I will support your choice of counseling theory and expose you to additional approaches where appropriate.
I use a number of supervision models in my approach to supervision:
Parallel Process Model: Examines the supervisee’s experience with clients in how that is also reflected in the relationship with the supervisor and vice versa. Supervision looks at both relationships with an assumption that relationships on any given level influence those on another level. The supervisor can use the dynamics observed in the supervisee’s cases to talk about the dynamic of what is happening in supervision and how that might be preventing supervision from being effective. In addition, whatever issues the supervisee and supervisor are experiencing have a significant probability of showing up in therapy. This systemic approach looks at the parallel process to develop skills.
Developmental Model: Takes into account that not everyone should be supervised in the same way. Throughout an assessment process during supervision, the supervisor identifies each supervisee’s skills and then supervises them in a fashion that helps the supervisee attain the next level of their development. Supervision plans are individualized and will change over time, consistent with the growth and development of the supervisee.
Holistic Model: Focuses on providing an atmosphere of safety, trust, and learning by focusing on building the strengths of the supervisee. The supervisor identifies the things that the supervisee is naturally good at and develops those abilities so that they can be used therapeutically in the room with clients.
Supervision has both benefits and risks. Benefits include personal and professional growth and increased comfort and skills in counseling and case conceptualization. Risks include experiencing discomfort due to challenge, anxiety, frustration, or confusion.
I believe that discomfort is part of your growth process. I see it as an opportunity to broaden mental health resources in the world and a privilege to support and train future generations of clinicians.
