Isabel Kleene
MS, LPC  

Warm, curious, and down-to-earth, Isabel meets each person right where they are. She sees therapy as a space to breathe, reflect, and grow—together. Her work is rooted in kindness, connection, and the belief that meaningful change can happen when we begin to understand what our mind and body are trying to communicate.

Isabel specializes in working with individuals experiencing chronic pain using Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT), an evidence-based approach grounded in neuroscience. Research shows that many forms of chronic pain are not caused by ongoing physical damage, but by the brain misinterpreting safe signals from the body as dangerous—a process known as neuroplastic pain. While the pain is very real, it is often driven by learned neural pathways that can be changed.

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PRT focuses on retraining the brain to accurately interpret these signals, helping to break the cycle of chronic pain. Through this work, Isabel supports clients in reducing or even eliminating pain by shifting how the brain and body communicate. She approaches this process with care, collaboration, and respect for each person’s unique experience—recognizing that pain is never “all in your head,” but something that can be understood and transformed.

Through previous work experience, Isabel developed a strong ability to hold space while guiding individuals in their healing. She has supported those living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) as well as individuals recovering from traumatic brain injuries (TBI), deepening her understanding of the complex relationship between the brain, body, and lived experience.

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At Timshel Counseling, Isabel is currently working toward her LPCC and welcomes individuals of all backgrounds.  Her counseling approach integrates Pain Reprocessing Therapy with person-centered and narrative principles. She believes that while pain may shape someone’s story, it does not define who they are. As Michael White and David Epston said, “The problem is the problem; the person is not the problem.”

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Person-centered therapy emphasizes compassion, empowerment, and the belief that each person is the expert on their own life. Isabel deeply values Carl Rogers’ words: “It is the client who knows what hurts, what directions to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been deeply buried.”

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“I hope to meet clients where they are and walk alongside them as they discover where they want to go,” Isabel shares. “Growing up in the rural Midwest taught me the importance of kindness and community. I believe the simplest acts of kindness can ripple outward—touching lives and helping communities grow stronger and more connected.”

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Outside of her work, Isabel enjoys crocheting, knitting, hiking and camping, playing video games, and Dungeons & Dragons. She values creativity and time in nature, and often encourages clients to explore what brings them a sense of safety, curiosity, and connection.