Kayla Clark
Hi, I'm Dr. Kayla Clark, a licensed clinical psychologist providing virtual therapy to adults throughout California. I believe therapy should be a space where you feel comfortable being yourself, without fear of judgment, while also feeling encouraged to grow and make meaningful changes in your life. My approach is warm, collaborative, and practical. I value building genuine connections with my clients and believe that feeling understood is an important part of the therapeutic process. At the same time, I don't believe therapy should stop at feeling heard. I'll gently challenge you, help you recognize patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and work alongside you to develop tools you can use outside of our sessions.
Small steps. Meaningful change. A life that feels more like your own.
I primarily draw from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), tailoring our work to your individual needs and goals. I enjoy helping adults navigate anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, trauma, life transitions, and the challenges that come with feeling overwhelmed or unsure of how to move forward. I believe people are both resilient and imperfect, and that meaningful change doesn't require perfection. My hope is that our work together helps you better understand yourself, build confidence in your ability to handle life's challenges, and eventually become your own therapist. We only have one life, and I believe it's worth working toward one that feels more fulfilling and more like your own.
First session
Starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you've never done it before. My goal is to help you feel comfortable, heard, and hopeful about the work we'll do together. Our first session is an opportunity for us to get to know each other. I'll ask questions about what brings you to therapy, your history, your current challenges, and what you're hoping to get out of our work together. You don't need to have all the answers or know exactly where to start. We'll figure that out together. I typically spend the first few sessions understanding your experiences, identifying patterns, and collaborating with you to establish meaningful treatment goals. I also want you to get to know me and decide whether I'm the right fit for you. Therapy is a relationship, and I believe it's important that you feel comfortable with the person you're working with. My hope is that you leave our first session feeling understood, more at ease, and optimistic about the possibility of change. You don't need to share everything right away, and there's no expectation that we'll solve everything in one session. Meaningful change takes time, and we'll work at a pace that makes sense for you. While my practice focuses on individual therapy, I occasionally incorporate conjoint sessions with a partner, family member, or support person when appropriate for your treatment goals. These sessions may help loved ones better understand your diagnosis, learn how to support you, or work through a conflict we've been addressing in therapy. They are intended to support your individual treatment, rather than provide couples or family therapy.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths is balancing compassion with honesty. I want my clients to feel genuinely heard, understood, and supported, but I also believe meaningful growth sometimes requires difficult conversations and challenging how we think and behave. I'm not a therapist who simply sits back and nod. I'm actively engaged, curious, and collaborative. I'll ask questions, offer different perspectives, and help you recognize patterns that might be difficult to see on your own. At the same time, I recognize that sometimes you need someone to listen, validate your experience, and give you space to process. I believe meaningful change happens outside the therapy room. One hour a week together is valuable, but lasting change takes practice. That's why I often give homework between sessions, whether it's practicing a new skill, reflecting on a pattern, or trying something different in daily life. My goal is to help you apply what we discuss so therapy becomes something you do, not just something you attend. My experience in various clinical settings, including hospitals and intensive treatment programs, has taught me that people are incredibly resilient, even when they don't feel that way themselves. I believe it's possible to approach difficult experiences with both compassion and hope. I bring warmth, authenticity, and humor into my sessions when appropriate. Therapy can involve difficult and vulnerable conversations, but that doesn't mean every moment needs to feel heavy. I want you to feel comfortable being yourself, knowing you won't be judged for being human. Ultimately, my goal is to create a relationship where you feel supported enough to be vulnerable and challenged enough to grow. I want you to leave our sessions feeling understood, confident, and capable of navigating life's challenges.
Ideal clients
I genuinely enjoy working with a wide variety of people, and I believe a strong therapeutic relationship can develop with many different personalities and backgrounds. That said, I especially enjoy working with individuals who are motivated to better understand themselves and make meaningful changes in their lives, even if they aren't quite sure where to start. I'm particularly passionate about helping people navigate trauma, relationship difficulties, and the ways past experiences can shape how we see ourselves, connect with others, and move through the world. I enjoy helping clients recognize patterns in their relationships, understand their emotional responses, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves and others. My ideal client is someone who is open to being curious about themselves and willing to explore difficult thoughts, feelings, and experiences. That doesn't mean you need to be comfortable being vulnerable right away. Trust takes time, and I believe vulnerability develops naturally when you feel safe, respected, and understood. I also really value authenticity and open communication. I love when clients feel comfortable bringing humor into our sessions, sharing their perspectives, and telling me what is or isn't working for them. Therapy is a collaborative process, and your feedback matters. I don't expect us to agree on everything, and I welcome honest conversations about our work together. Most importantly, you don't need to have everything figured out before starting therapy. You just need a willingness to show up, be curious, and take steps toward the life you want to create. We'll figure out the rest together.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you understand how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors influence one another. Together, we'll identify patterns that may no longer be serving you, challenge unhelpful beliefs, and explore new ways of approaching difficult situations. This might involve recognizing negative thought patterns, facing fears, or making small behavioral changes that support your goals. CBT is collaborative, practical, and one of the most well-researched treatments for depression and anxiety. For some individuals, combining therapy with medication can provide additional benefits. My goal isn't to simply encourage positive thinking, but to help you develop a more balanced, flexible perspective and practical tools for navigating life's challenges with greater confidence.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you manage emotions, navigate difficult situations, and build healthier relationships. At its core, DBT is about balancing acceptance and change: learning to accept yourself and your experiences while recognizing that growth is possible. DBT focuses on four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. Together, we'll develop practical skills to help you stay grounded, cope with overwhelming emotions, and communicate your needs more effectively. One of the things I love most about DBT is that it acknowledges two important truths: you're doing the best you can with the skills you currently have, and you can continue learning new ways to navigate life's challenges. You don't have to choose between being compassionate toward yourself and holding yourself accountable for change.
Gottman method
I incorporate Gottman-informed principles into individual therapy to help you better understand your relationship patterns, strengthen communication, and navigate conflict more effectively. Although the Gottman Method is traditionally associated with couples therapy, many of its strategies can be valuable when working with one person in a relationship. Together, we'll explore how you communicate your needs, respond to disagreements, and maintain emotional connection with your partner. This may include identifying the Four Horsemen (communication patterns that can damage relationships), practicing healthier alternatives, and learning strategies for managing conflict and strengthening connection. While you cannot control your partner's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors, you can make intentional changes in how you respond. I've often found that when one person begins making changes, it can create a ripple effect that influences the relationships around them. My goal is to help you navigate your relationships with greater confidence while honoring your own needs, values, and boundaries. This work takes place within individual therapy rather than couples counseling.
Location
Virtual sessions
Identifies as
Woman
Top specialties
Anxiety
Depression
Trauma and PTSD
Other specialties
Anger Management
Bipolar Disorder
Couples Counseling
Emotional Regulation
Family Conflict
Grief
Life Transitions
Personality Disorders
Serious Mental Illness / Crisis
Suicidal Ideation
Serves
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Individual Therapy
Non-binary
Transgender
Woman
Licensed in
CaliforniaLicense 33682
Accepted insurance
Cash - $200 per session