Alumni Spotlight: Psychology Meets Floral Design
Welcome back to our Alumni Interview Series!
In the first post, we spoke with Danielle Harris of Little Blooms Floral about her path from student to floral entrepreneur.
For our second feature, we’re highlighting someone whose work blooms at the intersection of science, compassion, and creativity: Dr. Kelly Ann Colby, Psy.D.
Rooted in Care
Dr. Colby is a child and adolescent clinical psychologist in private practice, specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders, OCD, and phobias with evidence-based care. Her business, Colby & Co. Psychological Services, took root in Lexington, MA in November 2024. When she’s not working with children and families, you might find her arranging flowers, nurturing plants, or reading in the park with her dog.
For Kelly Ann, flowers are more than beauty — they are symbols of growth, grounding, and the quiet strength it takes to bloom.
Finding Floral Design
Shortly after opening her practice, Kelly Ann enrolled in the Professional Florist Training Program at Cass School of Floral Design. What began as a project for self-care and enjoyment quickly became much more.
“I found the more I stepped into the community, the more I was able to do in terms of outreach for mental health and learning which niches needed to be filled,” she explained. “Floral design was a way for me to do that. I wanted to learn professional-level floral design as a hobby for myself and engage as a community member.”
Walking into class that first day, she didn’t just meet teachers and fellow students — she met mothers, artists, small business owners, and others who opened up about their own mental health journeys. “It gave me great insight and helped connect the multifaceted parts of myself, blending my creative and clinical pursuits.”
When Flowers Became More Than a Hobby
Kelly Ann quickly “fell down the rabbit hole,” as she puts it, exploring research on the connection between flowers and mental health.
For example, did you know that viewing roses for just 4 minutes was found to be psychologically relaxing and activated the sympathetic nervous system?
Or that men and women respond differently to rose colors — with specific hues benefiting each group’s heart rate variability?
“Imagine designing bouquets for wellness and actually applying this data to benefit the community! That’s the type of world I want to live in and the type of community I want to help build,” she said.
Blossoming into Community Engagement
During her time at Cass, Kelly Ann began donating bouquets to local cafés and small businesses in Lexington. “I used the bouquets as a branch to the community,” she explained. Through these connections, she was able to engage fellow clinicians, guardians, and local leaders in conversations about mental health needs.
Her hope is that floral design will continue to serve as a bridge between her creative passions and her clinical work — helping her nurture both individual well-being and community resilience.
Continuing the Journey
Kelly Ann isn’t finished learning. This winter, she plans to return to Cass for the environmentally sustainable advanced design class while continuing her private practice.
Believe in the Healing Power of Flowers?
Kelly Ann’s story reminds us that flowers can heal in ways both seen and unseen. If you’re inspired by her journey, why not start your own? Explore our Professional Florist Training Program and see where your creativity might lead.
Looking to connect with Dr. Colby for therapeutic services or floral pursuits? She can be reached directly at drcolby at colbyandcopsychologicalservices.org