Hi, I'm Kady Fleckenstein,
Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (#152625), mom of an adult child and a teenager and a local Santa Ynez Valley resident. After a career of over twenty years as a marketing and communications executive, I earned a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University. I specialize in integrated, holistic, affirming therapy for adults and couples. Currently I am accepting California clients (18+) for virtual (online) appointments or in-person appointments in Solvang, California. I utilize a change-based, systemic approach to therapy with an emphasis on reaching your goals (even if that goal is just to understand yourself better). Keep reading below to learn more.
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<<-- that is a real picture of me in my office. (Despite the babyface, I am in my mid-40s.) No fancy headshot, this is me! I encourage my clients to show up however they show up each day. Sweatpants encouraged!
My Story
Like many, the start of the pandemic was the catalyst I needed to make a big change in my life. Not only was I turning 40 at the time but, after having been through many significant life experiences, I understood the power of therapy as a tool for both healing and change. I wasn't happy with much of what I experienced as a therapy client. I felt there was more I could offer to help others navigate life's challenges and so began my journey to become a therapist. Throughout my graduate school, traineeship and associateship, I dove head-first into taking every training I could. I continued to go to therapy myself and learn from some of the best in the field. Once I became licensed I found ways to make therapy more efficient and helpful to clients, so they could reach their goals. Fast forward to today and I feel honored to continue to offer therapy to Santa Ynez Valley and California residents in my Solvang office (and online).
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Staying up-to-date with the latest research is important to me. I utilize tools that help reduce painful symptoms (mental, emotional and physical) and lead to effective change. Healing comes when we learn to integrate our mind and body and make connections with others in a deeper, meaningful way. Together we will create a plan for growth and improved health for a better tomorrow.
Additional Credentials
Board of Directors Positions
Director of Communications
Santa Barbara Chapter of California Marriage and Family Therapists
(SBCAMFT, 2022-2025)
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2025 Chapter Leader Award Recipient
Certifications
Youth Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid
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Psychological First Aid
National Center for PTSD & The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
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Mandated Reporting
Mandated Reporter California
Community Mental Health
From 2021 to 2022, I completed an internship at People Helping People in Solvang, California where I provided therapy for kids, adolescents, adults and families. During that time, I also taught Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons to fourth and fifth graders at Santa Ynez Elementary School and facilitated lunch discussion groups.
Additional Trainings
I have completed well over a hundred and fifty trainings so far and continue to attend trainings regularly. Here are just a few of the many trainings I have attended:
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Advanced Training Program
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Acceptance & Commitment Therapy
PESI
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Anxiety Certification Course
PESI
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Sandtray Therapy
Crisis Intervention & Suicide
People Helping People
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Finding Meaning in Loss: The Sixth Stage of Grief
PESI (David Kessler)
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Prenatal and Infant Loss
PESI
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Healing the Wounds of Trauma
NICABM
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Perinatal Paternal Mental Health
Cottage Hospital
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Addressing Non-Suicidal Self Injury (NSSI)
Institute for Health & Recovery
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Eating & Substance Use Disorders
Center for Discovery
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Single Session Approach
SBCAMFT
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Mindfulness Certification Course
PESI
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DSM-5 Differential Diagnosis for Clients with Trauma
PESI
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...and many more!
Special Skills & Interests
Interested in incorporating the creative arts into your therapy sessions? With an extensive background in vocal and theatre performance, I welcome the integration of music, art and other creative arts in our work together. Here are a few of my special skills:
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Vocal performance (classical, musical theatre, jazz/blues, folk and pop)
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Acting
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Songwriting
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Piano & Guitar
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Poetry
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Cooking & Baking​
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Fishing
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Hiking
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Rock collecting
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Traveling
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Languages
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If you are passionate about any of these areas or ones not mentioned above, please let me know!
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Speaking Engagements
"Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Kady Fleckenstein joins Leanne Elliott to deep dive into what is codependency, how it’s confused with helping, and how it might not even be a real thing. We are wired for relationships and we’re wired to help. The question is how can we do that in a way that doesn’t cause hurt or damage to ourselves or our relationships."