Meet Kelly Poag | Licensed Clinical Social Worker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Poag and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, how do you think about risk?
I often think of risk as evolution. In order to keep evolving as a human being and professional, we have to take risk. It is an essential part of staying healthy in our lives. When I think back to my career in both social work and counseling, the necessity of paying close attention to when seasons were ending and new things were trying to emerge in me professionally cannot be overstated. The ability to take risk, in close attunement to my own growing needs/life demands, has been a huge contributing factor to my success professionally. Sometimes that has meant letting go of old ideas that no longer fit, colleagues that I’d outgrown, workplaces that no longer aligned with my core values in practice, or systems that needed a fresh overhaul. Much like a trapeze artist, being willing to let go of a bar, brave the emptiness of space, and trust that I would be caught by a new bar has become a foundational part of my work and life experience.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business is Anchor & Bell Counseling. What started as a risk 8 years ago, has become my professional expression of how I have grown personally. Attachment theory is foundational to my practice when I began it; the belief that we all need a secure base in order to flourish. In my own story, I wasn’t able to fully emerge into full flourishing until I had the steadying presence of another. A place I could land in ritual, telling my story, re-telling it over, changing 2 degrees each hour that passed in the presence of someone who could safely hold all my edges. This is what inspired me to begin Anchor & Bell Counseling. I became tired with theories, modalities, and cutting-edge self-help techniques. Through my social work career I knew the empty echo as a professional of saying the right things and offering the “right resources” but never connecting with the heart of the person. I knew I wanted to go back to the basics of what I know and have seen actually spark human growth. Without home, it is hard to explore our environment. The goal of Anchor & Bell Counseling has always been to create a home-like experience for clients where ritual, reflection & return has become a mainstay of my practice. I work from a firm belief that ideas rarely change us, people do. I think the core of my practice is warmth in human connection. Even my location is incredibly thought out. I placed my office in the heart of the community I live in, right next to the neighborhood coffee shop. I ride my bike to work every day. It’s a way to communicate a feeling of nestling, consistency, and communicates without needing to communicate that I am not going anywhere. There is something deep in each of us that needs to know the lights will always be on. There is always a safe place we can return to. I love taking that journey with clients and then seeing what is grown when a predictable anchoring place and person allows them to explore!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, I just love taking people to Denver! Exploring a segment of the Colorado Trail has become a critical part of my invitation to others who come and visit! It is so under-rated in its beauty, accessibility, and underworld of towns & outdoor enthusiasts it puts you in touch with.

The Southern Sun Brewery in Boulder has also become a Sunday evening favorite. The vibe is everything Colorado; laid-back, eclectic, and full of personality.

I am an avid runner, and we usually find ourselves inviting others to Waterton Canyon or one of Tabletops in Golden to take friends on a fun trail run.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mentor & therapist for 15 years, Gena Hicks.

Website: https://www.anchorandbellcounseling.com