The Healing Willow

I'm Kellsey Forest, a native from small-town Tipton, Iowa and moved to Boston, Massachusetts in 2018 after receiving my Masters in Social Work specializing in trauma-informed care. I am a clinical social worker, expert witness, and consultant specializing in coercive control, high-conflict family dynamics, and trauma-informed interventions. With over a decade of experience in mental health and family systems, I provide expert services for family and criminal court proceedings, including expert testimony, parent coordination, consulting, and professional training.

My work is grounded in evidence-based practices, clinical expertise, and a deep understanding of how power, control, and trauma shape interpersonal relationships and legal outcomes. I am currently pursuing doctoral research focused on advocacy and reform in family court systems.

I’m committed to supporting families, attorneys, and professionals in navigating the complexities of abuse, conflict, and custody through clear, ethical, and trauma-informed guidance. Whether I'm testifying in court, coordinating co-parenting arrangements, or consulting with agencies and professionals, my goal is to center safety, accountability, and the well-being of children.

• Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC)
• Center for Trauma and Embodiment (CFTE)
• EMDR International Association (EMDRIA)
• International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS)
• International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation (ISSTD)
• Massachusetts Association of Guardians ad Litem (MAGAL)
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
• Yoga Alliance

 I offer specialized therapeutic support for individuals navigating high-conflict family situations. My clinical services include:

• Individual Therapy for parents, caregivers, or young adults impacted by coercive control, family court involvement, or post-separation trauma. I am trained in some of the most extensive and evidence-based trauma therapies, including EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), Trauma Center 300-hour certified trauma-sensitive yoga, and ego-state interventions rooted in Internal Family Systems (IFS). These modalities support deep healing by addressing the mind-body connection, fostering internal safety, and helping clients reclaim their sense of self.
   
• Co-Parenting Support to help caregivers improve communication, reduce conflict, and establish healthy boundaries in the best interest of their children.
   
• Parent-Child Contact Problems including reunification-focused therapy and interventions that prioritize the child’s safety, emotional wellbeing, and voice.
   

These services are designed for families seeking trauma-informed care and a nuanced understanding of family dynamics, especially in the context of legal involvement or coercive control. If you are looking for any of these services, please visit my group private practice at RollinsCounselingCenter.com.

I provide consultation and speaking engagements on coercive control, trauma recovery, and trauma-informed practices for professionals, institutions, and media projects. Highlights include:

• Guest speaker at Harvard University and Merrimack College on domestic violence, coercive control, trauma-sensitive yoga, and trauma recovery.
   
• Consultant for the short film There Are No Words, based on the real-life story of Chanel Miller and the aftermath of sexual assault. The film was an Official Selection at the 2025 European Independent Film Festival (ÉCU) in Paris and the Winner of the 2025 Seventh Annual Worldwide Women’s Film Festival.
   
• Ongoing consultation for legal professionals, mental health providers, and agencies working with survivors of high-conflict custody and coercive control.