Kelsey Hoff

What drives me to do this work?

When I first became a counsellor, I was surprised by how many people came through my office needing a safe space to be completely honest about how they no longer held to the beliefs that had once been the center of their existence.

I also sat with many who were processing the harm that they experienced within high-control communities and the trauma symptoms that persisted long after leaving. This led me to look further into what is available for those who are on a journey out of high-control religious or doctrinal belief systems, and who are looking to establish autonomy and congruence.

I came to see that there is a great need for religious-trauma-informed therapists/counsellors, who understand dynamics related to undue influence, indoctrination, power dynamics, and narcissism.

My interest in this area also comes from personal experience: as someone who was raised in a religious home, but who ended up leaving that belief system behind. I went through a slow process of deconstruction and research, along with honesty about what role this belief system should play in my life. In pursuing congruence and authenticity, I had to leave this system altogether. I now consider myself a hopeful humanist and I attempt to engage life with openness and curiosity.

What can clients expect in working with me?

I aim to show up in a way that is personable, accessible, honest, and empathetic. I sincerely believe in the innate goodness of my clients and I do my best to provide space that allows them to discover that in themselves. I position myself as a curious fellow-traveler who happens to know a bit about psychology and how to use it to bring about change. My work is depth-oriented, existential, client-centred, and recognises the entire person within the process of healing.

Relevant work/life experiences that bring me to do this work:

I have a long-term interest in psychology, culture, travel, and world religions. I completed my MA in Marriage and Family Therapy after studying Religious Studies and Psychology as an undergrad.

I have an on-going pull to the Middle East and have lived in Palestine and Jordan for five years cumulatively. While in Jordan, I worked at a clinic for expats and loved the diversity of the setting. This is where my interest in the effects of high-control religious settings also came to the forefront, as I worked with people doing a huge range of jobs from many backgrounds who were all sorting through the same questions about who they are and how they want to show up in the world. I love this work and feel highly privileged to provide this space.

Religious groups that I have experience in working with include: Evangelical Christian (my own background), Quiverfull, Penecostal, Catholic, Islam, Jehovah’s Witness, Mormon, and more. I love to learn and there are endless groups/organizations/religions/cults to know about, so if you come from a context that is new to me, I am more than happy to do research on my own time to learn about the unique characteristics of your background.

Education: MA in Marriage and Family Therapy 

Who am I? 

I am a spouse, daughter, sister, auntie, and friend. I identify strongly as a 5 wing 6 on the Enneagram and INFJ on the Myers/Briggs personality system. A fun fact about me is that my partner and I recently bought a 22 acre farmyard and we are trying to do regenerative agriculture and homesteading. I run my business from a converted shipping container located between my barn and chicken coop; you will likely hear my rooster crowing at some point! I enjoy growing my own food, cooking from scratch, good coffee, and anything related to outdoor adventure. 

I work and live on homeland of the Metis and the historic territory of the Cree, Saulteaux, and Assiniboine First Nations – in the area most recently defined as Treaty 6.

Me and my dog, Hazelwood (mastiff-cross)