Kelly Baker

I am a licensed independent social worker and been part of Cincinnati Children’s for many years, supporting children and their caregivers in a variety of roles. I specialize in helping children navigate early childhood challenges, including social-emotional development, emotional regulation and developing coping skills for life stressors.  
 
I am passionate about empowering children to identify their thoughts and feelings and understand how these impact their daily lives. Teaching new coping skills and watching kids grow into their best selves—emotionally, socially, and academically—is what inspires me every day. I use evidence-based approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), aspects of play therapy, and solution-focused therapy (SFBT) to help children make progress both in therapy and in their everyday routines.  
 
I believe that children truly thrive when surrounded by loving, supportive and engaged caregivers. Partnering with parents, teachers, and others in your child’s life is essential to ensure they receive the best support possible. Growing up, I was fortunate to have caring adults who gave me space for emotional processing, and now, as a provider, I strive to offer that same compassion and support to the young people I work with.  
 
Outside of work, I am a fitness instructor and love helping women feel confident, strong and empowered. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, reading, soaking in the energy of a great concert, hiking, savoring delicious food, nurturing relationships, and spending time with my family.