Meet Kelly
Kelly Slaven is a seasoned therapist and leader with over two decades of experience supporting individuals impacted by trauma, abuse, and adversity. With a deep commitment to empowering women, Kelly specializes in trauma-informed, evidence-based care for survivors of intimate partner violence and other complex traumatic experiences. Her clinical work is grounded in the belief that healing happens in safe, supportive environments—and that every client has the strength and capacity to reclaim their life with confidence.
Kelly began her career at Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, where she spent 12 years supporting women experiencing domestic violence. As Director of Clinical & Professional Services, she led a team of 20 therapists who collectively provided thousands of hours of trauma-informed therapy to women and children across Dallas.
Most recently, Kelly served as Chief Clinical Officer at the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC) for nearly six years. There, she supervised over 30 clinicians and students, overseeing more than 19,000 clinical hours annually, all dedicated to treating the most severe child abuse cases in the Dallas area.
Kelly is EMDR Certified, an Approved Consultant, and an EMDR Trainer, offering 2–3 Basic Trainings annually through The Haven Wellness Center. She is also:
• Certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Trained in Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT)
• Trained in Problematic Sexual Behavior-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT)
• Trained in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
In addition to her clinical practice, Kelly is a sought-after trainer and expert witness, offering testimony and consultation in cases involving intimate partner violence, child abuse, and the neurobiological impact of trauma. She has presented at conferences locally and internationally, sharing her expertise in trauma recovery and therapeutic best practices.
Kelly earned a Bachelor’s in English from the University of Kansas and a Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach.
She lives in East Dallas with her wife, children, and a bustling household of animals. A proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Kelly brings both professional skill and personal authenticity to her work. Her therapeutic style is one of directive warmth, grounded in respect for each client’s journey and focused on helping them move toward hope, freedom, and healing.
True to the spirit of The Haven Wellness Center, Kelly seeks to offer clients a refuge—a safe harbor in the storm—and would be honored to walk alongside you in your healing process.
Kelly is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Supervisor in Texas (#37399).
You can learn more about the issues Kelly treats by visiting her here: https://www.therapyden.com/therapist/kelly-slaven-dallas-tx
To schedule with Kelly, please contact her here: kelly@thehavenwellnesscenter.com
You can also hear more from Kelly on the Radical Sacred podcast here: Stages of Change