Kelsey Ruffing, MA, MS, LCPC
Kelsey Ruffing, MA, MS, LCPC, is a licensed clinical professional counselor, educator, and CEO of Kelsey Ruffing Counseling based in Bloomingdale, Illinois. She specializes in sport and health psychology, integrating clinical practice with performance psychology to support athletes and non-athletes navigating injury, identity shifts, and mental health challenges. With advanced training from institutions including Adler University and The Chicago School, she brings a multidisciplinary foundation that bridges psychotherapy, sport performance, and behavioral medicine.
Her clinical work focuses on anxiety, depression, trauma, chronic illness, chronic pain, and sport-related injury recovery, with a particular emphasis on female ACL injury and identity reconstruction after athletic disruption. She uses evidence-based and integrative modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Brainspotting, and somatic approaches to address both psychological and physiological aspects of healing. Her practice also supports clients experiencing burnout, life transitions, and medical trauma, especially those navigating complex or misunderstood health conditions.
In addition to her clinical work, Kelsey serves as an adjunct professor at institutions including Lewis University and previously the University of Illinois Chicago, where she teaches sport psychology and performance-focused mental health. She is an advocate for medically fragile children and individuals with chronic illness, drawing from both professional expertise and lived experience. Across her work as a therapist, speaker, and author, she emphasizes compassion, empathy, and the belief that meaningful healing begins with feeling understood and supported in both sport and life contexts.
• LCPC
• The Chicago School - MS
• ADLER UNIVERSITY
• EAST CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
• Association of Applied Sports Psychology (AASP)
• AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION
• Breakthrough T1D
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my background in sports psychology, my 12-year career in the field since 2014, and my personal experience overcoming multiple sports injuries, including three ACL tears. These experiences have deepened my understanding of resilience and performance under pressure. Today, I apply these insights in my work supporting both athletes and non-athletes as they navigate mental health challenges and strive for overall well-being.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received came during my time at East Carolina University, where I was encouraged to stay curious, be intentional about my growth, and remain open to learning from every experience. A major influence on my development was my mentor, Dr. John Coumbe-Lilley, who consistently emphasized the importance of discipline, reflection, and applying knowledge in practical, meaningful ways. His guidance helped shape how I approach my career decisions and continue to grow professionally.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Don’t shrink yourself—show up with confidence, ask questions, and build real connections. Networking is essential, and staying in touch matters; I’ve had a connection from five years ago come back around recently. Consistency and confidence go a long way in this industry.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The field of sports psychology is growing, but mental health is still not taken as seriously as physical performance. A key challenge is gaining equal recognition and credibility within sports, so I focus on advocacy by sharing research, writing blogs, and highlighting athletes who speak openly about mental health. The more we continue to share information and increase visibility across media and professional platforms, the more the field will be understood and valued.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in my work and personal life are compassion, empathy, and understanding. I’ve built my practice around these principles because I believe everyone wants to feel understood. This is especially important in my work with individuals managing chronic illness, chronic pain, and injury, where people often don’t receive enough empathy from medical providers or even those close to them. I strive to create a space where they feel seen, supported, and truly understood.