LMFT, 9 years of experience
I’m a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with extensive experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine in 2012, and my Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University in 2015. I work with individuals facing a wide range of challenges, including anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, stress, depression, mood and personality disorders, OCD, adjustment difficulties, family conflict, divorce, low self-esteem, relationship issues, parenting and behavioral concerns, anger management, women’s issues, life transitions, and LGBTQ+ topics. My approach is grounded in empathy, collaboration, and empowerment. I’m passionate about helping clients tap into their inner strengths, foster self-acceptance, and build resilience. I believe that with the right support, everyone has the potential to create meaningful change, achieve personal goals, and lead a more fulfilling life.
Our first session serves as an intake, where we take the time to get to know each other and gather important background information. I’ll ask a variety of questions about your history, current concerns, and what brought you to therapy. This helps me better understand your unique experiences, strengths, and challenges. I also take this time to listen carefully, create a safe and supportive space, and begin building a foundation of trust. Toward the end of the session, we’ll collaborate on setting initial goals for therapy, discuss what you hope to gain from our work together, and talk about what to expect from the process. We’ll also go over scheduling and any logistical questions you might have, so you feel informed and comfortable moving forward.
My specialties are autism, developmental disorders, ADHD, and anxiety.
My ideal client is someone who is open to the therapeutic process and willing to take an active role in their growth. They are ready to be vulnerable by sharing their thoughts, feelings, and experiences—even when it's uncomfortable—because they understand that healing often begins with openness. They are engaged in the work we do together, both in and outside of sessions, including thoughtfully participating in homework assignments that support their progress. I especially value clients who feel comfortable giving feedback—whether something resonates or not—so that we can collaboratively adjust our approach as needed. Therapy is most effective when it’s a partnership, and I appreciate clients who are honest, communicative, and committed to creating meaningful change in their lives.
Kenia Estrada offers therapy covered by CalViva Health (Medi-Cal), Community Health Plan of Imperial Valley (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Health Net (Medi-Cal), Health Plan of San Joaquin - Medi-Cal, L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
I take an eclectic approach to therapy, drawing from a variety of evidence-based modalities to best meet each client’s unique needs. My work is grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on helping individuals recognize and reframe unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to emotional distress and problematic behaviors. By integrating CBT with other therapeutic techniques, I aim to foster insight, build coping skills, and support meaningful, lasting change.
With Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, I work on emphasizing strengths, resources, and achievable goals. Rather than dwelling on problems, I assist clients with identifying what’s working and build on those successes to create positive change. By combining this forward-thinking, goal-oriented method with other therapeutic tools, I aim to empower clients to make meaningful progress in a focused and time-effective manner.