Chelsea Johnson

Sometimes it is really hard for us to remember who we are, the goodness we hold, the light in our hearts. And sometimes we need help coming home to ourselves, our beautiful hearts that are complex and filled with pain and that beauty. Chelsea desires to be a counselor, friend, wife, daughter and sister who reminds those around her of who they really are, who they are called and designed to be. And she is thankful for those who have been gently reminding her of her name.

Counseling is transformative, beautiful and messy. Being known is incredibly scary. It was in 2014 where Chelsea felt overwhelmed with life, school, and relationships. She was disconnected from herself and her emotions were spilling out onto everything she touched. It was then when a friend suggested she go see a counselor. She walked through her  counselor’s door on her first session, head hung low and full of shame. As soon as she sat down across from this new friend, she melted. Her counselor asked, “What’s brought you here today?” And tears just came pouring out for Chelsea which made her feel more embarrassed and ashamed, to the point where she couldn’t even make eye contact. Week after week, Chelsea’s eyes opened to see more of herself, her patterns, her family dynamic, and coping mechanisms she had used that no longer were serving her well. Her counselor gently walked with her through it all.

Now, many years later, Chelsea is able to give a gift similar to the one she was given. Since graduating in 2014 with her education degree from UCF, she taught for three years, at a Title 1 school in Orlando and one year in Thailand. She received her Counseling Degree from Reformed Theological Seminary in May of 2019.

Chelsea is EMDR-trained and enjoys working with adolescents and adults, those struggling with relational distress, loss, spirituality, trauma, anxiety, depression and grief. She uses a blend of theories; from attachment theory to emotionally focused therapy to somatic therapy and internal family systems.

Chelsea is a lover of the physical world and a learner of life. She has a stack of counseling books she’s constantly reading. In her off-time, you will find her taking care of or buying more plant babies, enjoying sweet iced chai lattes with her hubby, finding treasures at thrift stores, dancing in her car, rewatching The Office and playing outside with friends.