Hi, it's nice to meet you!

I'm Avery Kimmell, and I'm glad you're here.

What is a fun fact about myself?

I rowed on my college crew team for four years and I am still close friends with many of my former teammates!

What can you expect as my client?

Whether you have been in therapy for years, or are completely new to the experience, beginning therapy with someone new can sometimes feel overwhelming and vulnerable. I will help ease the stress of this process by offering a warm, friendly, and compassionate therapeutic presence. My overall purpose as a therapist is to create a space in which you feel safe and free to express whatever version of yourself comes out during our session. Together, we will develop therapeutic goals that are unique to your personal experience, and we will work toward these goals at a gentle pace that feels comfortable for you.

I view relationships through an attachment theory lens, which means that I am really interested in unpacking the ways in which our relationships with our caregivers during childhood might impact our emotional patterns later in life. I believe that much of our emotional distress can be traced back to unmet attachment needs, wounds that can continue to cause us pain later in life if left untreated. I will work alongside you to heal these wounds by helping you to process the complicated feelings of the past and begin to build more secure, fulfilling relationships in the present.

Pronouns: She/Her

Who am I outside of therapy?

When the weather is nice, I love to spend my time outside. My favorite activities are running, biking, hiking, skiing and camping. When it’s cold and rainy, I love to read novels and spend time with my two amazing cats, Janet and Claude. I also recently learned to knit and just finished my first sweater!

How did I become a therapist?

I began my professional career as a middle school math teacher in a small, community-oriented K-12 school. While I enjoyed teaching middle school math content, I realized over time that I valued the relational aspects of teaching more than the educational side. I discovered that my favorite part of my job was serving as a trusted adult for students who often needed help navigating the chaos of middle school. At the end of the 2024 school year, I made the difficult decision to leave teaching in order to begin a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, a field that I felt would more closely align with my natural skills and passions.

I am currently earning a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Lewis & Clark College and will graduate in Summer 2027. I also hold a Master’s Degree in Education & Human Development from the University of Colorado Denver and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Wesleyan University.

Before beginning my graduate training, I was a middle school math teacher, an experience that helped me better understand the value in working closely with families to provide students with holistic support both at school and at home. In addition to my role as a teacher, I also served as an academic advisor, coached soccer and volleyball, and led experiential trips outside of the classroom. I also have experience working with incarcerated folks as a volunteer writing tutor in a prison higher education program.

My ideal client is someone who is looking to explore the ways in which their past experiences might be impacting their life in the present. I am particularly passionate about working with teenagers who are exploring questions around identity and friendships and couples who are seeking help with connection and intimacy. I am also interested in exploring topics like sexuality, gender expression, and neurodiversity. We will work well together if you are open-minded and enjoy some playfulness and humor throughout the therapeutic process!