We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Vincent, Psy.D.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.
Hi Kelly, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
For me, confidence wasn’t something that happened over night—it was something I had to build through experience, self-reflection, and a lot of unlearning. Like many women, I grew up measuring my worth by how much I could do for others, how well I could perform, or how “together” I appeared. Over time, that perfectionism and self-doubt became exhausting. It wasn’t until I started doing my own inner work—through therapy, mindfulness, and somatic practices—that I began to understand that confidence doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from being more you.
When I founded Nourished Wellness Group, a holistic therapy practice in Encinitas, that philosophy became one of the foundations of our work. I wanted to create a space where people—especially women—could reconnect to themselves from the inside out. So much of self-esteem and confidence is about safety: feeling safe in your body, safe to express yourself, safe to take up space. Our team uses a mind-body approach to help clients build that inner sense of safety and self-trust, whether through somatic therapy, talk therapy, EMDR, or other integrative practices.
My own confidence grew through moments of uncertainty—starting a business, leading a team, and learning to listen to my intuition even when logic told me otherwise. Confidence isn’t the absence of fear; it’s learning how to move with it. It’s the quiet voice that says, You’ve done hard things before, you can do this too.
For anyone struggling with self-esteem, I often remind them: confidence is a practice, not a destination. It grows when you show up for yourself in small, consistent ways—setting boundaries, honoring your needs, speaking your truth, and surrounding yourself with people who reflect your growth back to you. Over time, those small moments compound into something unshakable.
At Nourished Wellness Group, we see that transformation happen every day. Watching clients reconnect with their confidence and remember who they are—that’s the most rewarding part of this work.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a licensed psychologist and the founder of Nourished Wellness Group, a holistic therapy practice based in Encinitas, CA. We specialize in helping individuals—particularly women—reconnect with themselves, heal from stress, anxiety, and past trauma, and move toward a more grounded and fulfilling life. What makes our work unique is our integrative mind-body approach to mental health. We don’t believe healing happens only in the mind—it happens through the whole self.
At Nourished Wellness Group, we offer a range of therapeutic services including somatic therapy, EMDR therapy, yoga therapy, and talk therapy. Many clients come to us seeking support for anxiety, depression, life transitions, or relationship challenges, but they leave with something deeper—a sense of self-trust, awareness, and connection that changes how they move through the world.
What I find most exciting about this work is witnessing that transformation. There’s something incredibly powerful about watching someone go from feeling stuck or disconnected to feeling more alive and in touch with who they are. As clinicians, we hold space for that process while integrating holistic practices like breathwork, movement, and mindfulness to support nervous system regulation and emotional healing.
Our practice is also expanding in meaningful ways. We’ve grown into a team of talented therapists who each bring their own areas of expertise—whether it’s couples therapy in San Diego, identity work in therapy, or therapy for new moms—and we’re continuing to build community partnerships to make holistic mental health care more accessible.
For anyone looking for holistic therapy in San Diego, our hope is that Nourished Wellness Group feels like a safe and supportive place to land. A place where you can slow down, reconnect, and remember that healing doesn’t have to happen alone. You can learn more about our approach or book a free consultation at nourishedwellnessgroup.com
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There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped my journey the most are self-awareness, adaptability, and authenticity.
Self-awareness has been the foundation of everything I do—both as a psychologist and as a business owner. Understanding my triggers, strengths, and values has helped me lead with intention instead of reaction. For anyone early in their career, I’d say: start by doing your own inner work. The more you understand yourself, the better you can hold space for others. Therapy, mindfulness, and honest self-reflection are invaluable tools for that.
Adaptability has been equally essential. Building Nourished Wellness Group, a holistic therapy practice in San Diego, meant navigating uncertainty, growth, and change—sometimes all at once. The mental health landscape is always evolving, and so is life. Learning to pivot without losing your purpose is a skill that develops through experience and trust. My advice? Stay curious, keep learning, and don’t be afraid to take imperfect action.
And finally, authenticity—which, for me, has been about aligning who I am personally with how I show up professionally. Early on, I thought I needed to have all the answers or appear a certain way to be taken seriously. Over time, I realized that the most powerful connections—whether with clients, my team, or my community—come from being real, grounded, and human. Especially in women’s mental health, authenticity creates safety and belonging, which are at the heart of healing.
If I could offer one piece of advice, it’s this: your growth will come from doing the work you ask others to do—learning, feeling, unlearning, and beginning again. Confidence and clarity follow those who are willing to evolve.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself that my body often notices stress before my mind does. I slow down, check in with my physical sensations, and use grounding strategies to bring myself back to the present moment. Sometimes that looks like a few intentional breaths, a short walk outside, or simple stretches to release tension. Other times, I journal or make a short list of what’s most essential—letting myself set aside the things that aren’t urgent or necessary.
I also lean into my support system. Even as a psychologist, I need connection and perspective from colleagues, mentors, or friends who understand me. Talking things through often provides clarity and reduces the sense of being “stuck.”
One of the strategies I teach clients at Nourished Wellness Group, whether through holistic therapy in San Diego or somatic therapy sessions, is to notice where overwhelm shows up in the body and to respond with curiosity instead of judgment. Over time, these small practices—grounding, self-compassion, and mindful action—build resilience and help you feel more capable of navigating life’s challenges.
A simple reminder I give myself daily: you don’t have to solve everything at once. Presence, small steps, and self-kindness are often the most powerful tools for managing overwhelm.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nourishedwellnessgroup.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nourishedwellnessgroup/?hl=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@nourishedwellnessgroup
Image Credits
Brit Longo Photography
https://britlongophotography.com/
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