ABOUT KIRK
Truth.
Alignment.
Becoming.
Let’s reauthor your story.
PHILOSOPHY
Life is about Relationships — and Every Relationship Tells a Story
At Story and Soul, I believe that our lives are made of relationships — not just with people, but with places, memories, identities, ideas, and most deeply, with ourselves.
These relationships shape the stories we tell, the roles we play, and how we make meaning in the world. Sometimes, they give us life. Sometimes, they quietly drain us. But they always matter — and when we begin to explore them with honesty and curiosity, they can become the key to healing and transformation.
That’s the lens I bring to therapy, coaching, and consultation.
My work is deeply informed by Relational-Cultural Theory, especially the ideas of Jean Baker Miller and the importance of connection, authenticity, and mutual empathy. At the same time, I draw from a flexible range of approaches — including CBT, Narrative Therapy, Adlerian, Reality Therapy, and Gestalt — because I believe your story deserves a custom-fit response, not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Whether you’re in the therapy room or working with me as a coach, you’ll find that I show up as a real human first. I’ll meet you where you are, help you name what’s been hard, and work with you to align your life with who you’re truly becoming.
If you need someone direct, I’m not afraid of truth.
If you need someone steady, I’m grounded.
If you need someone safe, I’ve been told I’m that too.
Above all, I care about your story — and how it connects to your soul.
We’ll explore it together, piece by piece, until the threads make sense again.
Kirk
PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY
Kirk Sheppard, LPCC-S, LICDC began his career in the helping professions in 1998 as the office manager of an emerging non-profit counseling center called One Hope.
He earned two Masters Degrees from Cincinnati Bible Seminary (2003 and 2004) and began working as a school-based counselor at Community Mental Health Center, a large agency serving rural South Eastern Indiana. While at CMHC, Kirk worked with all ages and populations, including adolescent substance abuse, adults, children, and people in psychiatric crises.
He opened his first private practice in 2008, working full time to help people improve their lives and find healing and hope despite their life stressors and other difficulties. He closed his office at the end of 2013, recognizing the need to pursue other opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Kirk started working for Talbert House, one of the the largest behavioral health agencies in Hamilton County, holding multiple positions, including Staff Therapist, Clinical Supervisor, Associate Director, and Lead Training Specialist. Then in 2018, Kirk worked as a clinical counselor at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, providing psychiatric safety evaluations in the emergency department.
Since June of 2021, he has is back to his first love - private practice. He sees clients virtually and in person.
PERSONAL LIFE
Kirk believes that it’s important for clients have enough information about their provider to connect. Because he views healing through a relational lens, he shares general information about himself with his clients as a tool to develop the helping relationship. Some clients prefer not to know anything about their helper; if that’s you, stop reading now.
Otherwise, Kirk wants you to know that in addition to being a licensed counselor, he is a playwright, blogger, journalist, theme park enthusiast, and Elite Yelper. He’s happy to tell you a little more information about any of the above if its important to you, but he promises to ensure that the focus of your session remains squarely on you and your needs.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
Masters of Arts in Counseling. Cincinnati Bible Seminary, September 2003 - May 2004.
Masters of Arts in Practical Ministries with an Emphasis in Pastoral Counseling. Cincinnati Bible Seminary, September 2001 - May 2003.
Bachelor of Science in the Helping Professions. Minor: Psychology. Cincinnati Bible College, August 1996 - May 2001.
Undergrad coursework. The Ohio State University, August 1994-May 1995.
EXPERIENCE
Counselor, Trainer, Coach. Self-Employed. April 2018 - present. Provide online counseling, coaching, training, and other educational opportunities to those in the helping professions. Partners include BLOC Ministries, Talbert House, and Cincinnati Christian University.
Director of Therapy Services, Leeside Wellness. August 2022 - November 2023. Provided online and in-person counseling, coaching, training, development, and oversight to the mental health therapy division of this growing psychiatric practice.
Clinical Counselor, Children’s Hospital PIRC, Cincinnati, OH. February 2018 - June 2021. Provided psychiatric evaluations to patients in the Emergency Department for disposition purposes.
Adjunct Faculty, Mount St. Joseph University. January 2018 – May 2020. Teaching original coursework for current students and distance learners seeking their hours towards their CDCA credentials.
Adjunct Clinical Supervisor and Faculty, Cincinnati Christian University. August 2009 – December 2019. Taught Internship 1 and 2, Substance Abuse 2, Substance Abuse Prevention, Motivational Interviewing, and have provided clinical supervision to counselors in training in both practicum and internship.
Training Specialist, Talbert House, Cincinnati, OH. August 2016 – March 2018. Taught, trained, and mentored Talbert House clinical and non-clinical staff and external customers at all levels in behavioral health care. Develop and create live classroom and online curriculum, provide individual career and educational advising, and serve on various committees like Trauma Informed Care and Compassion Fatigue. Provide training for external community partners in topics like Ethics, Crisis De-Escalation, and Substance Abuse Treatment.
Associate Director, Talbert House, Cincinnati, OH. December 2015 – August 2016. Provided administrative and clinical supervision to a multidisciplinary staff of therapists, assessment specialists, and substance abuse providers three regional offices in Warren and Clinton Counties. Served as the agency’s liaison with the Mental Health Recovery Services Board, county jails, judges, probation departments, and other community partners.
Clinical Supervisor, Talbert House, Cincinnati, OH. November 2014 – November 2015. Provided administrative and clinical supervision to a multidisciplinary staff of youth and adult case managers, therapists, assessment specialists, and substance abuse providers. Responsible for program development and oversight, report writing, and day-to-day operations. Also served as a champion of Health Care Reform, sat on the Central Interviewing committee, and served as a Client’s Rights Administrator. Initiated and oversaw substance abuse programming site-wide.
Clinical Service Provider, Talbert House, Cincinnati, OH. August 2013 – November 2014. Provided counseling services to individuals and families, serving children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of needs.
Private Practice, Harrison, OH. July 2008 – December 2013. Providing counseling to children, adolescents, and adults in the areas of depression, anxiety, family relationships, behavioral problems, ADHD, substance abuse, and general mental health issues.
LifeWay Counseling Center, Blue Ash, Ohio. July 2008 – December 2009. Providing Biblically based Christian counseling to all populations with a wide variety of mental health issues and problems as an independent contractor with this group practice.
Mercy Mt. Airy Hospital Behavioral Health, Cincinnati, Ohio. December 2007 – December 2008. Worked with a multi-disciplinary team to provide group and individual counseling to children and adolescents in an acute care setting. Also, performed psychosocial intakes as a PRN social worker and tended to the client’s practical needs as a mental health technician when needed.
Community Mental Health Center, Lawrenceburg, IN. June 2004 – May 2008. Provided individual and family counseling as both a school-based and office-based therapist. Collaborated with school personnel, local authorities, MDs, psychiatrists, child welfare workers, and others to provide comprehensive care for community counseling clients.
One Hope Christian Counseling Associates, Newport, IN. August 1998 – December 2001. Was the first office manager of a non-profit, church-based counseling center. Designed systems to assist the counselors and administrators as they provided affordable counseling services to all populations.
CREDENTIALS
Supervising Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC-S).
Issued by the State of Ohio Counselor and Social Worker Board.
Effective: January 18, 2008 – present.
Expires: January 18, 2026.
License #: E.0700338.
Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor (LICDC).
Issued by the State of Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board.
Effective: January 25, 2018 – present.
Expires: January 10, 2026.
License #: LICDC.161612.
TEACHING AND TRAINING
AUTHORED UNIVERSITY COURSES
Substance Abuse II - Cincinnati Christian University
Motivational Interviewing - Cincinnati Christian University
SWK 410-OL - Chemical Dependency - Mt. St. Joseph University
SWK 420-OL - Chemical Dependency Counseling 2 - Mt. St. Joseph University
UNIVERSITY COURSES TAUGHT
Substance Abuse Prevention - Cincinnati Christian University
Internship 1 - Cincinnati Christian University
Internship 2 - Cincinnati Christian University
Advanced Internship 3 - Cincinnati Christian University
AUTHORED TRAININGS
Advanced Ethics: Understanding Our Differences
Assessment and Clinical Interpretation
Assessing for Substance Abuse: What To Look for and Where to Find It
CBT in Practice at Talbert House
CBT: An Overview of How Thoughts and Feelings Impact Substance Use
CBT: Behavioral Theories and Role Play for Substance Abusers
Clinical Documentation for Clinical Service Providers
CATT 3.4 for Clinical Service Providers
Collaborative Documentation
Comprehensive Evaluation of Alcohol and Other Drugs
Developing ISPs with Substance Abuse Clients
Drug Use and Children and Adolescents
Developing and Delivering Psychoeducational and Prevention Groups
Effective Communication Strategies for the Prevention Professional
Engaging the Unmotivated Client
Ethical Considerations when Working with LBGTQ+ Clients
Ethics and Boundaries
Ethical Therapy in an Electronic World
Fundamental Components of Documentation for SA Counselors
Group Treatment Strategies with Substance Abuse Clients
Individual Counseling with Substance Abuse Clients
Intro to Prevention
Intro to Substance Abuse
Prevention At Large: Public Policy and Environmental Change
Professional Considerations for Substance Abuse and Prevention Providers
Report Preparation
Substance Abuse: An Overview for Helpers
Substance Use Disorder and DSM V
Supportive Supervision
Treating Risk: Suicide, Homicide, and Duty to Warn
Theories of Addiction
Using Levels of Care in Treatment Planning
UNCERTAIN: Ethical Considerations for Supporting Faith Deconstructing Clients
OTHER AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Inaugural Outstanding Mentor Award, presented by the CCU Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, 2015.
Graduate of the Foundational Leadership program through Talbert House, 2015.
Ann Brandner Award for Excellence in Social Work and Clinical Counseling at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center. Nominee, 2019.
BOOKS
BROKEN STOOLS: Falling Off Furniture and 52 Other Lessons About Humility
SOUL AUDIT: A Not So Perfect, Broadly Spiritual (or Not) Guide to Aligning Your Life
THE SEARCH PARTY: A Novel
JESUS & ME: Questioning God, Life, and Everything in Between
Kirk received the “Outstanding Mentor Award” from
Cincinnati Christian University’s Masters in Counseling Program.
One of Kirk’s students, Sarah Lucas (left),
nominated and presented him with the award.