About Kelly

MS LMHCA & OWNER OF MODERN YOUTH, PLLC.

Professional Background

Kelly Lynn Ferguson is a child, teen, and family therapist who grew up in the small town of Enumclaw, WA, at the base of Mount Rainier. Raised in a child-centered family and inspired by her mother, a marriage and family therapist, Kelly has always felt called to support young people and their caregivers. Her Scottish grandmother often said, “the wee bairns are the heart of the world”—a sentiment that shaped Kelly’s belief that children are our most precious gift, and that families thrive when we meet their needs with care and compassion.

Kelly brings a natural warmth, playfulness, and deep empathy to her work—she often says she still feels like a big kid herself. She has a lifelong love of music, art, and creative expression, which helps her connect with children and teens in ways that feel engaging and empowering.

Before becoming a therapist, Kelly pursued a career in opera. She earned her Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Postgraduate Degrees in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and studied at the Accademia Vocale di Lorenzo Malfatti in Lucca, Italy, and the Berlin Opera Academy. She has concertized across the U.S. and Europe, bringing stories to life through music—a background that deepened her understanding of emotion, nuance, and the human experience.

Today, Kelly integrates evidence-based therapy with experiential methods like Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy to support children, teens, and families. She has led Equine Counseling Services for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe and currently serves in the Nisqually Indian Tribe’s Equine Assisted Services Program. Her work is grounded in cultural sensitivity, curiosity, and a deep respect for each client’s unique story and strengths.

Baby Kelly 

Specialization and Focus

Kelly specializes in supporting children, teens, and the grown-ups who love them through emotional challenges, developmental transitions, and relationship struggles. Her trauma-informed approach emphasizes connection, resilience, and emotional growth. She helps kids work through anxiety, grief, behavior concerns, sensory needs, and self-esteem issues—while also supporting parents and caregivers in building stronger connections with their children and navigating their own relationship dynamics, stressors, and life transitions.

Kelly uses an integrative, developmentally-attuned approach that draws from Child-Centered Play Therapy, Attachment Theory, Family Systems, Internal Family Systems (IFS), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) adapted for youth and families. She also integrates expressive arts, therapeutic storytelling, and experiential activities to meet children and teens where they are. Her work is enriched by her certifications as a CCAR Recovery Coach, WA State Certified Peer Counselor, and QPR Suicide Prevention Trainer.

Her practice is available year-round in her playful, welcoming therapy office in Federal Way and via secure telehealth. She also offers seasonal equine-assisted therapy, nature-based learning, and creative arts groups that support emotional growth in meaningful and culturally responsive ways. Whether helping a child develop emotional regulation, guiding parents through tough transitions, or supporting family healing as a whole, Kelly offers a warm, collaborative space for growth.

When I'm not doing therapy....

"I'm striking the balance between being a super basic ice coffee drinking, TikTok, reality TV-loving queen and a wanna be worldly sophisticate! I love exploring different cultures through international travel and enjoy picking up new languages.  I've studied French, Italian and German pretty extensively. You’ll also find me spending time with my English Mastiff Tsumo out in nature, enjoying live music, or singing with my partner, who is a pianist. 

Plus, I always make time for my horses, Murtie & BB."