Keli Rugenstein

PhD, LCSW-R, LMFT

Keli has worked in the mental health field for almost 30 years. For the past 15 years she has lived and worked in the Capital District. She works with individuals, families, and groups as a psychotherapist and marriage and family therapist. The psychotherapy she provides is integrated with the faith beliefs or spirituality perspectives of those who choose to have these included in their counseling. Keli works from an integrated perspective of Family Systems Theory and psychodynamics.

Keli is also the Director of Clergy and Congregation Consulting and works closely with clergy, their families, congregations, church boards, church staffs, and the judicatory level of church leadership. She provides assessment services for clergy candidates and fitness for duty assessments for clergy in the restoration process after a crisis. Keli’s consultant training is from the Samaritan Institute in Denver Colorado and the Lily Foundation collaboration. She is also trained by Holy Cow! Consulting in church assessments. She was trained at Minnesota University in the administration and interpretation for psychological assessment. Keli is also trained in Critical Incident Intervention.

Keli’s research includes clergy burnout, the effects of church size on clergy well-being, and personality as it affects pastoral leadership. Other research has looked at abuse within the clergy family and spiritual expression differences between age groups. Keli completed a meta-analysis of the effect that denominational hierarchy has on clergy satisfaction, and her work was published in the Journal of Pastoral Care and Counseling.

Why “Eastern Door”?

Eastern Door holds special meaning for Keli as it is how the Iroquois Nation refers to the Mohawk Tribe – being the furthest east in the Iroquois Confederacy. Mohawks are considered to be the Keepers of the Eastern Door. Establishing an agency that is intended for healing of one’s spirit hearkens back to her heritage as a Mohawk and as a Christian. When the name occurred to her it seemed to be the perfect fit!

How Eastern Door Helps Support Clinical Excellency

Internship

If you are in the second year of your MSW education Keli Rugenstein would love to have you join us as an intern. You will have the opportunity to work with individuals, couples, and families. Under the guidance of a seasoned therapist, structured supervision is provided weekly and as needed if necessary on a case by case basis. Individual supervision is provided based on video recorded sessions and group supervision is based on case presentations. As well, you will be included in any staff meetings, training, education events, and activities.

Supervision is based on the practical application of Family Systems Theory integrated with psycho-dynamically oriented theories.

Collegium

When you graduate with your MSW you have begun your career in social work! If you have decided that you would like to apply your skills to the practice of psychotherapy the Collegium may be for you. A three year program, the Collegium is designed to provide you with the opportunity to establish a client base while learning the day to day practicalities of a psychotherapy practice.

Supervision is based on the practical application of Family Systems Theory integrated with psycho-dynamically oriented theories. The modalities for supervision include one-one supervision as well as group supervision. Eastern Door supervisors are state approved to provide the supervision you will need as you work toward your LCSW exam and eventually your R number.

Affiliate

Ready to settle into a place of your own? Perhaps you want to provide services in a community nearer your home. Eastern Door has an opportunity for that as well. Enjoy the benefits of belonging to a group – insurance billing, accreditation, marketing, web presence, malpractice insurance, branding, signage – while practicing at a location that suits your needs. Let’s talk!