Spotlight on Kerley Perminio Most, MA

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
This wisdom from Ecclesiastes conveys the way Kerley Perminio Most views herself as a couples therapist. “I love to be a strong support when working with couples,” she explains. “Sometimes I’m allowed to just be that third strand, to be there as long as necessary. I can help strengthen the connection, and then they see that they will not break that they are strong enough to reach out to each other and it is just lovely.”     Most is an Imago-trained pastoral counselor who enjoys working with couples and families. “What I like the best about Imago [Relationship Therapy] is that the work is always between the couple,” she says. “I am not the focus of their concerns. They turn toward each other, not toward the therapist. I appreciate to be able to help in the moment, but also to offer skills so that when we are not together, they can still grow.”
Having been born in Brazil and spending much of her working life in Africa, Most brings an international perspective to her counseling work. “I have been blessed with a multicultural approach to life,” she reflects. “As far as I can remember I have found myself working across cultures. The diverse cultures of a South American urban context and in Guinea, where I lived for 11 years, with a community of expatriates – people from China, Sierra Leone, Europe, and more. My specialty really is to work with people of different backgrounds. Because of that I consider myself an expert in just talking to people and being patient with wherever they came from.”
Most found her way to pastoral counseling while planning a sabbatical from her missionary work in Africa. “I’ve been connecting people forever – I knew I wanted something that promoted hope, connection, and spirituality, and that’s why it appealed,” she says, noting that she enjoyed her graduate work and held internships at the DC Rape Crisis Center and PC&CC/The Imago Center. “I am called to be in the business of connection. I can be with people and sometimes it’s not the best time of their lives, but I appreciate the potential of transformation, of sitting together and exploring life and possibilities. I love to see the light starting to shine.”
“I am passionate about God and fascinated about the miracle of healing, it comes anytime, anyway,” Most says. “I am also passionate about people and the mystery of being human, all our strengths and struggles. Most of all I am happy to hold a space of hope and transformation for my clients as I facilitate connection and practice it in my relationships with my husband and young son.”

Most works at The Imago Center’s Capitol Hill office and may be reached at 202-229-3789 x708.