Kirsten Oelklaus
LSCSW, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Serving the Greater Kansas City area
I specialize in treatment for teens and adults with eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder and emotional eating. My goal is to help you regain and restore your life to health and happiness.
About Me:
My work in the field of eating disorders began 26 years ago, when I was an intern at the Menninger Clinic. I found myself co-leading a creative arts group for individuals in the Eating Disorder / Trauma Recovery Program. As I looked around the group, I was so inspired by the gifted, creative, amazing individuals who were held completely hostage by this life-threatening illness.
Under different circumstances, these individuals were just like my friends, siblings, colleagues and mentors, and a desire was born in me to help individuals with eating disorders recover.
Through my years in the field, I have worked in all levels of care. This has allowed me to experience the issues and dynamics present at each stage of the recovery process.
I know that it’s often hard to have hope during the recovery process. I will hold hope for you until you are able to experience it for yourself again.
Learn more about my philosophy and approach
Clinical Experience
- 26 years of experience
- Started at Menninger Clinic
- Worked as a Primary Therapist at Baptist-Lutheran Medical Center and Menninger
- Outpatient therapist since 2003 — serving individuals, couples, and families recovering from eating disorders
Certifications
- Certified Eating Disorders Specialist (CEDS) with the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp)
- Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW)
- Completion of American Group Psychotherapy Association Training
Education
- MSW, Social Work – University of Kansas
- BA, Music Education/Music Therapy – University of Kansas
Affiliations
- Co-founder of Bellatore Recovery — Intensive outpatient program for teens, adults, and families
- Board member for KC chapter of the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals
- Board member for Missouri Eating Disorder Association
- Past board member for Robin Foundation
Personal
- My husband and I are parents to 2 active boys.
- I enjoy reading, dancing, swimming, running, and spending time with family & friends.
- I’m a musician, and I enjoy singing and playing piano.
- I was born and raised in the Kansas City area.
- My favorite place to vacation is the beach.
“You don’t have to know the answers, you don’t have to be perfect, you just have to show up and be open to the possibility of finding the authentic-you.” -Brene Brown
My Philosophy
Each individual has unique issues that they are facing. I offer specialized treatment designed to help males in the Kansas City area with eating disorders heal physically and emotionally. My approach is designed to help you recover as you deal with the day-to-day stresses of school, work and life.
I encourage you to check out the resources on my website. If you feel that I could be the right partner for your journey, you can contact me to learn more about getting started. It would be my honor to join you on your journey to recovery and to help you regain and restore your life to health and happiness.
I'm an Adult
I'm a Teen
I'm a Parent
I'm an Athlete
I'm a Male
I want to Learn
“Courage is contagious. Every time we choose courage, we make everyone around us a little better and the world a little braver.” -Brene Brown
What Are You Waiting For...
Make an appointment
Our location
Bellatore Recovery
16979 W 94th Street.
Lenexa, KS 66219
Contact
Phone: 913.908.6786
Email: kirsten.oelklaus@gmail.com
Fax: 913.273.5993