Keith Nelson, LCSW
Experienced LCSW for trauma and addiction
- Trauma and addiction
- Stress and anxiety
- Collaborative evidence based care
About Keith Nelson
Keith Nelson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 18 years of experience helping people navigate complex emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges. He has provided direct therapy, supervised other therapists, and contributed to research in substance abuse and emotional dissonance, bringing a breadth of clinical and practical insight to his work.
Working from a strengths-based perspective, he supports people facing depression, anxiety, addictive behaviors, codependency, relationship difficulties, parenting struggles, career concerns, ADHD, PTSD, and a range of trauma and abuse-related issues. His practice also addresses grief, intimacy and sexual concerns, eating and sleeping problems, bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, and many other life stressors. He pays particular attention to attachment and abandonment issues, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, body image, and personality-related patterns that affect daily functioning.
Keith emphasizes the person-in-environment view - understanding how physical, social, psychological, and spiritual contexts shape wellbeing - and works collaboratively with each individual to design interventions that fit their life and values. He draws on evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to identify practical skills and insights that reduce suffering and promote growth. Licensed in Oregon and California - Oregon License #7519 and California License #21893 - he blends clinical rigor with respect for personal choice and self-determination to help clients build more satisfying, resilient lives.
Working from a strengths-based perspective, he supports people facing depression, anxiety, addictive behaviors, codependency, relationship difficulties, parenting struggles, career concerns, ADHD, PTSD, and a range of trauma and abuse-related issues. His practice also addresses grief, intimacy and sexual concerns, eating and sleeping problems, bipolar disorder, compassion fatigue, and many other life stressors. He pays particular attention to attachment and abandonment issues, blended family dynamics, caregiver stress, body image, and personality-related patterns that affect daily functioning.
Keith emphasizes the person-in-environment view - understanding how physical, social, psychological, and spiritual contexts shape wellbeing - and works collaboratively with each individual to design interventions that fit their life and values. He draws on evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to identify practical skills and insights that reduce suffering and promote growth. Licensed in Oregon and California - Oregon License #7519 and California License #21893 - he blends clinical rigor with respect for personal choice and self-determination to help clients build more satisfying, resilient lives.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
LGBTGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFatherhood issuesFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHIV / AIDSHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSex addictionSexual dysfunctionSmoking / vaping cessationSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryTrichotillomaniaWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Attachment-Based Therapy Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy Somatic Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Keith Nelson have?
Keith Nelson has 18 years of experience in clinical practice, supervision of therapists, and research related to substance abuse and emotional dissonance.
Is Keith Nelson a licensed therapist?
Yes. He holds the credential LCSW, which stands for Licensed Clinical Social Worker. His California license is CA LCSW 21893.
In which languages does Keith Nelson provide therapy?
Keith Nelson provides therapy in English.
Where is Keith Nelson located?
Keith Nelson practices in California.
How can I work with Keith Nelson as my therapist?
You can work with Keith Nelson through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Keith Nelson work with international clients?
Keith Nelson does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Keith Nelson cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Combining Evidence Based Approaches with Online Care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings while committing to actions that align with their values. It is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and problems where avoidance reduces quality of life. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on how early relationships shape current patterns of relating and emotion regulation - it can help with intimacy issues, abandonment concerns, and relational trauma by strengthening secure ways of connecting. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical strategies to identify and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, making it effective for anxiety, depression, OCD, and many everyday challenges.
Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Keith Nelson works collaboratively with clients to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and preferences. He combines techniques from different modalities when that blend offers a clearer path forward.
Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging provides flexibility for busy schedules, reduces travel time, and allows people to access licensed professionals from their own communities. These options make it easier to maintain consistent care and to use therapy in ways that fit each person’s life and responsibilities.