About Jillian

Jillian Kelly-Wavering, MSSW, LCSW, RPT-S

Jillian is the founder of Asheville Child Therapy, and a psychotherapist for children since 2010. Prior to opening her practice in Asheville NC, she worked in medical settings in Dublin Ireland, Boston MA, and the Bronx NY. Jillian's education and training includes a Master's degree from Columbia University, service with the National Health Service Corps, certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF CBT), and the Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential. She is a graduate of the Association for Play Therapy’s Leadership Academy and has served as a Board Director and Vice President of the New York Association for Play Therapy. 

Jillian has taught as an adjunct lecturer on the topics of Play Therapy, Trauma, and Resilience, and co-authored several publications including Dear Mr. Leprechaun: Nurturing Resilience in Children Facing Loss and Grief; Play Therapy with Children Facing Medical Challenges; The Use of Puppets in Psychodynamic Play Therapy, I Didn’t Get to Say Good-bye: A Story for Children Grieving During Coronavirus (ages 3-6 and ages 6-12) and My Grief is Like the Ocean: A story for children who lost a parent to suicide. Jillian’s practice focuses on trauma, grief, and loss.

Jillian deeply respects her role in gently accompanying children in therapy. Described by clients as "a good listener, cares about me, remembers important stuff, playful, magical" and by caregivers as "warm, attuned, down to earth, helps me help my child, really cares about my kid." She enjoys gardening, eating pizza with crispy crust, learning about superheros, listening to the On Being podcast, or playing “pirates treasure” in a sandbox with her kids.

At many times throughout their lives, children will feel the world has turned topsy-turvy. It's not the ever-present smile that will help them feel secure. It's knowing that love can hold many feelings, including sadness, and that they can count on the people they love to be with them until the world turns right side up again." - Fred Rogers