Kevin Waller, LCMHCS, LCAS, CCS
Family Program Manager and Family Coach
Kevin began working with youth when he facilitated ropes courses and team building at a summer camp for five years. Here he realized his strength connecting with youth. Prior to entering graduate school, he worked as a field instructor for four years at a wilderness therapy program. Kevin has said that this is where he learned that ultimately all people want to get their needs met, and that behaviors have intentions and are a means of communication. He found that being in the wilderness allows individuals to slow down and identify their capabilities to make healthy choices.
While earning a master’s degree in Community Counseling at Western Carolina University, Kevin worked with high-risk teenagers in a therapeutic, residential setting. He also developed and implemented a group therapy curriculum for middle school children. After graduation Kevin worked for two years at a therapeutic boarding school.
Kevin is currently the Family Program Manager at SUWS of the Carolinas where he brings expertise working with at-risk youth and their families and with issues revolving around substance abuse. His clinical interests also include oppositional behavior, anxiety, family systems, ADHD, grief work and developing healthy coping strategies. His therapeutic approach includes empowerment, choice and reality therapy, emotional therapy, identity and awareness, and grief work. Kevin believes that the foundation for empowering change is building relationships with congruency, empathy and unconditional positive regard. He is passionate about helping adolescent males to identify the strengths and choices they have and to have hope about their lives and future as young men.
Kevin lives in Asheville with his wife, whom he met while they both worked as field staff at a wilderness therapy program. As a former college baseball player, he continues this passion by playing on a local adult baseball team, and he plays on an indoor soccer team. He also likes to hike, swim and work on his house.
