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Kelly Rae Robertson MS, NCC, CCTS Grief, Trauma & EMDR Specialist

Kelly Rae Robertson, MS, MSCJ, LAPC, CCTS, NCC

Grief, Trauma & EMDR Specialist

Welcome to Mindful Coast Counseling

I’m Kelly Rae Robertson, and I hold a Master of Science (MS) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice Administration. I am a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC), a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTS) , and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). Additionally, I am an EMDR-trained therapist with advanced training in grief and trauma.

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I came to this field later in life, but in many ways, I’ve been doing this work since I was young. I lost my father during my freshman year of high school and became the primary caregiver for my blind mother. That experience taught me how devastating grief can be— and what it means to grieve in silence, to grow up too soon, and to survive when everything feels unsteady.

Before becoming a therapist, I worked as a journalist, landing the front page with my coverage of the local response to the September 11th attacks.

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I earned my first master’s degree in criminal justice administration before spending nearly 15 years inside the Allegheny County Jail—a place defined by crisis, trauma, and survival. All day, every day, I read police reports detailing horrific crimes and sat face-to-face with evil itself. The psychological toll was immense, leaving deep scars not only on victims but also on first responders, jail staff, and civilian employees. These weren’t just cases—they were human tragedies that impacted everyone involved, often in ways that went unseen and untreated.

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During those years, I also became an advocate for domestic violence survivors, standing beside them in court as they filed for Protection from Abuse (PFA) orders and guiding them through the justice system with compassion and care.

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Additionally, I am a proud volunteer at the Highmark Caring Place, a center dedicated to grieving children and their families. In this role, I facilitate and co-facilitate support groups for children of all ages, helping them navigate their feelings and find healing in a safe, supportive environment. That experience inspired me to return to my alma mater, Duquesne University, to earn a second master’s in clinical mental health counseling.

 

Now, I combine all my experiences to help others, specializing in trauma-informed therapy for children, teens, veterans, first responders, and survivors of domestic violence.

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I strive to be the support for others that I, unfortunately, didn't have. There is no hierarchy of therapist versus client; I've been there. I was you. I am you.

Why Work With Me

I offer more than an advanced education—I bring nearly 20 years of hands-on experience supporting individuals through grief, trauma, and crisis.

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I’ve supported:

  • Survivors of abuse and domestic violence.

  • Veterans and first responders experiencing PTSD.

  • Children and teens are coping with deep, often unspoken grief.

  • Incarcerated individuals navigating trauma and survival.

 

Here’s what I bring to my work:

  • Nearly two decades of real-world, frontline experience.

  • Specialized training in trauma, grief, PTSD, and EMDR.

  • Deep understanding of high-stress systems and mental health.

  • A person-centered, judgment-free approach—because I’ve been there, too.

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