How Kelly O'Horo is making mental health care more accessible
This therapist is breaking down barriers

ICON/REFINED

December 16, 2024

This article was originally published in the Winter 2024 issue of ICON/REFINED Magazine. Get your copy here. 

 

At some point in their lives, everyone could benefit from mental health support. Whether it’s from work stress, relationship strain, or deeper struggles related to trauma, no one is immune to needing support, understanding, or clarity. But there are so many barriers that people face when it comes to getting the support they need. Lingering stigma, financial concerns, or even where you live can affect your ability to get the help you need. 

But Kelly O’Horo is on a mission to change that. 

Kelly is the founder of Infinite Healing and Wellness in Arizona, a practice that provides compassionate, accessible mental health care, particularly for those facing trauma. Her mission is simple yet powerful: to ensure that everyone—regardless of location or circumstances—has access to the mental health support they deserve. “My personal purpose for existence is to serve humankind,” she says, drawing inspiration from The Big 5 for Life, a book that shaped her philosophy and career. This sense of purpose drives Kelly’s commitment to helping others heal, learn, and grow, both within her practice and through her podcast, Adaptable – Behavior Explained.

Kelly is acutely aware of the many barriers people face when it comes to mental health care. “The most pressing barriers to mental health care today are multifaceted,” she explains. “Some of the key challenges include stigma, accessibility, and affordability.” Stigma, she believes, remains one of the most significant barriers, with many individuals thinking they need a major mental health issue before seeking help. “People often think they need to have a mental health issue before they seek professional support,” Kelly points out. She uses the analogy of going to the dentist for regular check-ups, encouraging everyone to get their “check-up from the neck up.” Kelly believes mental health care should be just as routine as physical health check-ups, without the fear of judgment.

Another pressing issue is accessibility. Many people in rural or underserved areas struggle to access quality mental health care. Kelly has worked hard to bridge this gap, offering resources that reach beyond her immediate area. Her podcast, Adaptable – Behavior Explained, serves as a platform to reach more people–no matter where they are. “I wanted to create a platform where I could share insights, interview experts, and provide resources to a global audience,” Kelly explains. The podcast ensures that those who might not have direct access to a therapist still have valuable tools to support their mental well-being.

Affordability is also a significant concern, especially for those without insurance coverage for mental health services. “Many people simply can’t afford therapy,” Kelly says. To address this, Infinite Healing and Wellness offers a range of services—from EMDR therapy to acupuncture—along with group therapy options that are more affordable than individual sessions. These services ensure that clients can receive high-quality care, regardless of their financial situation.

But Kelly’s dedication to improving mental health care extends beyond her own sessions. She’s passionate about shaping the future of trauma therapy by nurturing empathy, continuous learning, and adaptability in the therapists she works with. “A great therapist must have empathy, a commitment to learning, and the ability to adapt to each client’s needs,” Kelly says. She has built a hiring process that ensures new therapists are aligned with her purpose-driven philosophy, which has helped create a supportive and cohesive team that shares her passion for accessible, compassionate care.

Her personal life, particularly her experience as a mother of five and a grandmother of five, has also deeply influenced her approach to mental health. “Raising a large family has profoundly shaped the way I approach mental health, especially in the areas of relationships and trauma,” Kelly reflects. This experience has made her especially adept at understanding the dynamics of relationships, which she applies in her work with clients facing relational challenges.

Kelly recognizes that in order for change to occur when it comes to mental health, it’s the processes and systems that must evolve. Which is why she’s developed an AI-powered electronic health record (EHR) system with her husband. This technology will streamline administrative tasks and make it easier for therapists to focus on their clients, improving both therapist efficiency and client care. “AI will help with notes, treatment plans, scheduling—so therapists can spend more time with their clients,” Kelly explains. She envisions this technology as a game-changer for improving access, particularly for clients in rural or underserved areas.

Through her practice, podcast, and technological innovations, Kelly is making mental health care more accessible, affordable, and stigma-free. By addressing barriers head-on and advocating for compassionate, effective care, she’s helping reshape the future of mental health care for generations to come. Driven by her purpose to “serve humankind,” she brings this vision to life with every client she supports and every therapist she mentors. “I want to make a positive impact on the world of mental health and ensure that more individuals receive the compassionate and effective care they deserve.”

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