KURSTIE BEVELHYMER-RANGEL, LSW

Kurstie Bevelhymer-Rangel, MSW, LSW (she/they)  is a mixed race Indigenous Chicana who is queer, femme presenting, neurospicy, mid-size, and possesses white body privilege. Kurstie’s work is fueled by the embodiment of ancestral wisdom, rage, and the decolonization of the white supremacist foundations of “traditional” therapeutic practices.

Kurstie is passionate about providing inclusive and culturally appropriate care to BIPoC and LGBTQ2S+ humans. They firmly believe that each human’s story is unique and sacred, therefore making each client’s therapeutic and shadow work experience completely unique. They actively work with clients to educate and dismantle the harmful, oppressive stereotypes of mental health and wellness in all aspects of life. They know that each individual is the expert on themselves and actively work with each client to find the most appropriate approach to therapy for the client, continuously tailoring this approach as the client’s needs change. In the clinical space, they identify as a trauma therapist who works within the contexts of mindfulness, somatic/body work, and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. Their clinical areas of focus include complex trauma, dissociation, anxiety, neurospiciness (ADHD, Autism, C/PTSD), and substance use. In sessions, they work to create a safe therapeutic space where each client is encouraged to show up authentically and will likely find Kurstie drinking tea, fidgeting with a crystal or putty, and being engaged with clients through genuine curiosity, compassion, and challenging each client when appropriate.

Kurstie’s academic and early career paths include a Bachelor of Arts with Research Distinction in Psychology and a Masters in Social Work from The Ohio State University. They trained as a trauma social worker at Grant Medical Center working with Victims of Crime and humans actively in crisis experiencing mental health and substance use-related concerns. Following this, they began working in private practice and developing their areas of focus and specializations. Kurstie has worked to incorporate their own lived experience and expand their research in the education of other professionals through trainings on Indigenous, Latin, and queer identities, combined with education on self-care and rest from a decolonized and anti-oppressive framework.

Outside of the therapeutic space Kurstie enjoys reading fiction by BIPoC authors, playing video games, exploring astrology and nature, as well as cooking and baking. Kurstie is a Pisces sun, Sagittarius moon, and Libra rising.

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Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage & Family Therapist Board License #: S.1904118

Supervised by Kelsey Wegener LISW-S (I.2002496-SUPV)