Meet Kelly Sinning | Licensed Professional Counselor and Owner of Kelly Sinning Counseling, LLC

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

Hi Kelly, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work/life balance… the magic combination we are all striving for! I’ve put a lot of thought into what balance looks like for me over the years and the most valuable thing I have learned is that what I need changes with each season of life, each transition of my family, each milestone of my career. I’ve learned that balance does not mean making my calendar *look* balanced, rather it is making a daily, weekly, monthly, yearly determination of what I need to fully participate in the areas of my life that are important to me. That’s not to say that I don’t need flexibility within my schedule, because that certainly makes things a lot easier, and I feel very fortunate to have that flexibility, however my schedule is not what I focus on anymore in order to achieve the balance that I need.

After having children balance has become more complicated simply because there is so much more that is important to me to work into every day. I have learned that I need the opportunity to choose what will make me feel taken care of each day and week so I can be fully present at work, home and in my relationships. On a small scale I achieve balance by scheduling in time for myself almost every day. I trust that I can assess my needs on a day to day basis and act on what will help me feel taken care of and energized for whats next. This can look like taking a nap, eating lunch or reading outside, going for a run, or meeting a friend for coffee. On a large scale balance looks like not over scheduling and making time for the people that are important to me. What works for me is having the flexibility to choose what is needed on any given day rather than trying to adhere to a strict schedule that looks “balanced” on my calendar.

Simply put, when working to achieve the right balance I think “What do I need to incorporate into today so I can show up for myself, my clients, and my loved ones in a way that honors myself and my relationships? How can I do what I need to do with energy, joy, and presence?”

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m going to start this off by saying, I love what I do! One of the reasons I opened my private practice was in an attempt to create enough balance to be able to give the energy that I wanted to my clients and my business. I wanted to be able to support people in a way that didn’t make me feel limited to the hour per week or every other week that I was sitting with them. It was an easy decision when I thought of all that could positively change in opening my own private practice, and scary when I thought of the potential of failure. I never saw myself as a “business savvy” person so there was a decent amount of fear that was surrounding having my own practice. At the end of the day opening my own business has been nothing but positive. I love that I have time to check in on my clients, coordinate care with other professionals, and be fully present in sessions while still getting home in time to put my kids to bed and spend time with my family. Throughout this process I’ve learned to trust myself more and I’ve learned to be grounded in my intentions- that I truly do just want to be available to help people to the best of my ability.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is a fun question! So much of Colorado is beautiful and fun, so it’s hard to go wrong. But, I would absolutely do a day trip to Estes Park, it’s beautiful, fun, and so much to appreciate in a small town. I might do a trip to the mountains, tubing in Breckenridge remains one of my all time favorite activities. Downtown Fort Collins is always a go to stop- there is so much charm in Old Town that finding a nice patio to sip a glass of wine and watch the world go by is always a favorite activity. Lastly, I’d end the week with a hike; whether it be a trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, or Horsetooth Rock in Fort Collins, you’re bound to have a wonderful time, get in your steps, and see some incredible scenery along the way.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This shoutout is dedicated to my family- the family I was born into and the family that I’ve acquired over the years. They have supported me, listened to my dreams and frustrations, encouraged me when I couldn’t see a path forward, and celebrated with me when goals were met. I wouldn’t be the person I am without them. Special shoutout to my husband, Tim, for being the dreamer in our relationship and always encouraging me to think outside of the box.

Website: kellysinningcounseling.com

Image Credits
Shaye Kaessner