Mindi Keele, LGPC
(She/Her)
Additional Education and Certifications:
- Gottman Level 1
Areas of Specialization:
- Couple’s Therapy
- Family Therapy
About Me:
Hi there, my name is Mindi Keele. I am a licensed graduate professional counselor (LGPC), and I work primarily with couples and families. I find couples work especially meaningful because relationships have the potential to be both a cause of profound pain and one of our greatest sources of joy in life. I strongly believe that when couples thrive, these relationships have ripple effects for generations.
I support couples in all stages: dating, premarital, newly married, and couples who have been together for years. I help couples and families who are facing recurring conflict, communication difficulties, emotional disconnection, intimacy/sexual concerns, transitions such as marriage, parenting, or empty nesting, differences around money, family, or life goals, and separation/divorce decisions.
You might worry about feeling outnumbered, blamed, or ganged-up on in therapy. I will not take sides with one partner over another; however, I do gently and lovingly call out patterns and behaviors that may be keeping you both stuck in a negative ‘dance’. I believe couples often become caught in patterns that neither partner intends but that can be difficult to break without help.
I am Gottman Level I trained. Additionally, I integrate Relational Life Therapy and attachment work into a larger systemic approach always considering your unique needs as a couple. A systemic approach simply means that problems don’t exist entirely inside one person (wouldn’t that be nice if it were ALL your partner’s fault?). Issues that show up within a relationship are influenced by patterns, context, and family dynamics. I believe committed relationships are the crucible within which we grow, mature, and become refined.
On a personal note, I have been married 31 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic my marriage began to show signs of disrepair. After sending some of my children off to college, I felt aimless and my marriage seemed hollow. My husband and I committed ourselves to doing relationship work and it opened us up to a whole new world. We were able to learn about our negative patterns, develop emotional intelligence, learn to self-confront rather than blame, collaborate, and develop an intimate relationship. It was truly life-changing. After this experience, I returned to graduate school to earn a master’s degree in counseling. I find deep personal satisfaction and meaning in helping others find peace and happiness in their relationships as well. Additionally, I love to travel with my family. I enjoy reading, photography, playing pickleball, watching soccer, and eating Indian food. I am also a health nut with a sweet-tooth and obsessed with Apple TV shows (which I watch in moderation, mostly).
If you’re tired of having the same types of arguments, feeling increasingly disconnected, or unsure how to find your way back to your partner, therapy can provide a space to slow things down and help you create different ways to interact. Einstein is credited with saying, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” Let’s figure this out together. I offer flexible scheduling for both in-person appointments in the Urbana location and virtual appointments. I look forward to working with you!