LCSW, 6 years of experience
My name is Kelly Amaya-Ramirez, LCSW. I specialize in supporting children, youth, and families as they navigate emotional challenges, identity development, and life transitions. I also work extensively with adults facing anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and difficulties in expressing their emotions and needs. With a client-centered and culturally responsive approach, I am committed to creating a safe and compassionate space where each individual feels seen, heard, and empowered. I use evidence-based practices tailored to each client’s unique story and strengths, helping them break negative cycles and build resilience. Whether working with a child struggling with school and self-esteem or an adult managing complex life stressors, my goal is to guide clients in understanding themselves better and developing skills to lead fulfilling, balanced lives. I believe in collaboration, respect, and empathy as foundational elements of therapy, and I aim to help clients uncover their inner strengths and achieve meaningful growth.
During our first session, we will begin with an initial assessment to better understand the reasons you’re seeking therapy and to get to know you as a whole person. This important step helps me gain insight into your unique experiences, challenges, and strengths. Together, we will also discuss and establish clear therapy goals that align with what you hope to achieve. This collaborative process ensures that your therapy is tailored to your needs and that we have a shared understanding of the path forward. My goal is to create a safe, welcoming space where you feel comfortable sharing and exploring your concerns. The first session is an opportunity for you to ask questions, express what you’re looking for in therapy, and begin building a trusting therapeutic relationship.
One of my greatest strengths as a therapist is my ability to meet clients where they are, providing a safe and supportive space to explore their experiences without judgment. I take a holistic approach to understanding each individual—recognizing that emotional well-being is deeply connected to one’s environment, relationships, and lived experiences. I believe in collaboration over direction. Rather than offering personal advice, I rely on my clinical training and therapeutic skills to guide clients toward the insights and solutions that best fit their lives. My role is to empower clients by reminding them that they are the experts of their own experiences and have the internal wisdom to heal and grow. I also use a thoughtful and intentional line of questioning that helps clients gain greater insight, identify and confront maladaptive behaviors or thought patterns, and develop healthier coping skills. My goal is to support each client in becoming the best version of themselves—defined by their own values, hopes, and vision for their life.
I am best positioned to serve children, youth, and families who are navigating emotional, behavioral, or relational challenges. I work closely with young people facing anxiety, depression, trauma, and difficulties with self-esteem or social interactions. For families, I provide support in strengthening communication, resolving conflicts, and building healthier dynamics that foster growth and understanding. In addition, I have significant experience working with adults who are managing complex life stressors, including anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, and challenges related to emotional expression and self-advocacy. Whether you are transitioning through a difficult life event, struggling with relationships, or simply seeking greater self-awareness and emotional balance, I am here to support your journey. Clients who benefit most from my approach are those who are open to exploring their thoughts and feelings, willing to engage in self-reflection, and motivated to develop new skills for coping and growth. I understand that therapy can be challenging, so I prioritize creating a safe, non-judgmental, and culturally responsive environment where clients feel validated and empowered. My work often includes helping clients identify and interrupt negative thought patterns, develop healthy coping strategies, and rebuild self-esteem. For young clients, this may involve support around identity development, peer relationships, academic pressures, and family communication. For adults, therapy might focus on navigating career stress, interpersonal relationships, past trauma, and finding balance amid life’s complexities. I especially welcome clients who value a compassionate and collaborative therapeutic relationship, and who desire a personalized approach tailored to their unique experiences, cultural background, and goals. Together, we will work to build resilience, foster healing, and empower you to live a more fulfilling and balanced life.
I incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help children, adolescents, and adults develop greater awareness of the connection between their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. My approach focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns that contribute to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and interpersonal difficulties. By guiding clients through evidence-based strategies, I support them in challenging cognitive distortions, improving emotional regulation, and building practical coping skills. With youth and families, I use age-appropriate tools and psychoeducation to create a collaborative and empowering therapeutic experience. CBT has been a core part of my practice in promoting long-term growth, resilience, and healthier ways of thinking and living.
I utilize Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) to support young children and their caregivers in healing from early trauma, attachment disruptions, and emotional distress. This evidence-based model is grounded in the understanding that a strong, secure caregiver-child relationship is central to a child’s recovery and emotional well-being. Through CPP, I help families explore and process past experiences that may be impacting current interactions, while strengthening the caregiver's capacity to respond to the child’s needs with empathy, consistency, and emotional attunement. My work focuses on creating a safe, nurturing space where both child and caregiver can deepen their connection, foster resilience, and develop healthier patterns of communication and attachment.
I am committed to providing culturally sensitive therapy that honors and integrates each client’s unique cultural background, identity, and experiences. By tailoring my approach to reflect the diverse values, traditions, and social contexts of the individuals and families I serve, I create a collaborative, respectful, and empowering environment for healing and growth. My work involves active exploration of cultural narratives and systemic influences that impact clients’ lives, ensuring that therapeutic strategies are both relevant and effective. Whether addressing intergenerational challenges, identity conflicts, or community-specific stressors, I employ evidence-based interventions while remaining attuned to cultural nuances and lived experiences. This approach not only fosters deeper rapport and trust but also enhances resilience and facilitates sustainable change by bridging cultural perspectives with clinical expertise.
I provide family therapy with a focus on strengthening communication, rebuilding trust, and fostering healthier dynamics among family members. My approach is collaborative and solution-focused, helping families navigate conflict, life transitions, and generational patterns that may be impacting their relationships. I work to create a safe, nonjudgmental space where each voice is heard and respected. Through evidence-based interventions, I support families in developing new ways of understanding one another, managing emotions, and improving problem-solving as a unit. Whether supporting families through parenting challenges, adolescent behavioral concerns, or blended family adjustments, I tailor the therapeutic process to honor each family’s unique structure, values, and goals.
I utilize Motivational Interviewing (MI) to help clients explore their ambivalence, identify personal values, and strengthen their motivation for meaningful change. This client-centered, collaborative approach allows me to meet individuals where they are, without judgment, while guiding them toward clarity and empowerment. Whether addressing substance use, lifestyle changes, or emotional challenges, MI supports clients in discovering their own reasons for change and building confidence in their ability to take action. My experience using MI spans diverse populations, including youth, adults, and families, and I integrate this approach with other therapeutic models to foster sustainable growth rooted in the client’s own voice and goals.