About Me

I’ve known I wanted to be a therapist since I majored in psychology in university long ago. Back then I wondered if I would ever be wise enough to help people change their lives in lasting ways. So I busied myself with working in the nonprofit sector, parenting 3 kids, caregiving for my parents, and volunteering at schools & hospice. Every step along the way I took personal development courses to keep growing and healing.

As my children grew older, my future as a therapist beckoned. And as they say, ‘Therapist heal thyself’ - I wanted to see real change in myself before I became a guide for others. I believe that the best teachers are the ones who struggle to learn - and persist!

I got to work uncovering unhelpful patterns and strategies in myself. I took risks to be vulnerable and to own my triggers. I started to question my inner critic. I hung out in the “messy middle” trying out new ways of being, learning to forgive myself when I went into old patterns.

This path was frequently humbling. True growth almost always is. In the process I’ve come more alive. I appreciate my life in new ways. And I’ve fallen in love with sharing this work with others - for individual transformation, and for transformation on a much wider scale in uncertain times.

My passion lies in working with people who have experienced stress, anxiety & trauma, helping parents, and supporting those who are facing the mental health impacts of climate and other crises. I love guiding people who are ready to grow through all kinds of challenges.

Training & Experience

Education:

  • Diploma in Transpersonal Counselling from Clearmind International, July 2023

  • MA in Education, University of Colorado at Denver, 1997

  • BA in Psychology, Claremont McKenna College, 1991

Griefwork:

  • Cowichan Hospice Volunteer Bereavement Companion, 2018-2021

  • Community Grief Ritual 5-month Training with Francis Weller, 2023-2024

Climate + Mental Health:

Trauma + Somatic Studies:

  • Somatic Experiencing Beginning 1,2,3 Intermediate 1 & 2, continuing studies ongoing

  • Somatic EMDR with The Embody Lab

  • Several Hakomi workshops, 2022-2023

  • Instructor of Yoga & Mindfulness for Parents, Children & Early Childhood Educators, 2002-2012

  • Yoga instructor

Parenting:

  • Professional’s Intensive, Hand-in-Hand Parenting by Connection, 2024

  • Decades of conscious parenting, many many workshops along the way!

Scholarly Articles

  • Boggiano, Ann & Barrett, Marty & Kellam, Teddy. (1993).  Competing Theoretical Analyses of Helplessness: A Social-Developmental Analysis. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology. 55(2). 194-207.

  • Boggiano, Ann & Shields, Ann & Barrett, Marty & Kellam, Teddy & Thompson, Erik & Simons, Jeffrey & Katz, Phyllis. (1992). Helplessness deficits in students: The role of motivational orientation. Motivation and Emotion. 16. 271-296. 

Anti-racism:

  • Certification in Somatic Abolitionism for White Bodies, Education for Racial Equity, 2022

  • Working with Cultural Diversity in the Therapeutic Setting with Dr. Myrna Lashley

  • Decolonizing Therapy with Jennifer Mullan (part of CIIS Climate Psychology certification, 2022)

Mindful Eating & Body Image:

  • Relational interventions as part of the cure: AEDP in the treatment of eating disorders, 2023

  • Mindful Eating MB-EAT Training for Practitioners

    Other Professional Experience:

  • Research consultant for On Lok in San Francisco, 2011-2016

  • Research & Grant writing National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 1998-2000

  • Grant-writer for Family Service Agency of San Francisco, 2000

If you are interested in exploring therapy, workshops, or groups, please be in touch: teddykellamtherapy@gmail.com