Vanessa Kellner, LCPC, NCC, RPT-S, CCPT

Clinical Director

Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor

Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor

Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist

National Certified Counselor

Vanessa received both her master's degree and her post-master's certificate from Johns Hopkins University in 2011. She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the state of Maryland and a National Board Certified Counselor. She is a credentialed Play Therapist and Play Therapy Supervisor (RPT-S) and member of the Association for Play Therapy (APT) and the American Counseling Association (ACA). Vanessa specializes in child centered play therapy and has earned her certification as a Child-Centered Play Therapist, credentialed through the National Institute of Relationship Enhancement (NIRE). Vanessa is currently pursuing her Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) Certification through University of North Texas. This parent-child approach uses the parent-child bond to reduce behavioral challenges and strengthen the parent-child relationship. Wholesome Healing typically runs CPRT groups once per year and this is one of the offerings that Vanessa is most passionate about, as she has seen time and time again the positive impact this can have for parents and their child(ren).

In addition to being a licensed therapist, Vanessa is a registered yoga teacher with Yoga Alliance. She has developed and run school-based yoga programs in both public and private schools. Vanessa has also worked with other local mental health providers to create yoga and mindfulness group curriculums, offering yoga programs addressing the mental health needs of children and families. Some of these programs include Yoga for Anxiety, Yoga and Mindfulness for Kids, and Yoga and Mindfulness Workshops for Pre-Teens and Families.

Vanessa regularly utilizes nature and other expressive arts in her therapy work, including nature based sessions, movement, sandplay therapy, and a variety of art mediums.

Vanessa uses a person-centered / holistic approach in her practice. Practically speaking, this means she takes into account the many factors that can impact a client's functioning and trusts in the inner wisdom of her clients to guide the therapeutic journey. 

Vanessa is a Maryland LCPC board approved supervisor. She also is able to offer supervision for the following play therapy credentials:

Registered Play Therapist (RPT)

Child-Centered Play Therapist (CCPT) - through NIRE