Welcome! I'm Keyaira, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) with a passion for helping individuals navigate life’s challenges and embrace their resilience. With experience supporting at-risk youth and survivors of trauma, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, I provide a compassionate and empathetic approach to healing. I believe in your capacity for growth and transformation, and together, we’ll uncover your strengths and develop the tools to overcome obstacles.
In our first session, you can expect to be welcomed into a warm, non-judgmental space where your story and experiences will be heard. We will spend time getting to know each other, discuss your goals for therapy, and begin exploring any challenges you’re facing. I’ll provide guidance, but ultimately, the focus will be on what you need and where you are in your healing journey. You’ll leave feeling supported, understood, and empowered to continue your path toward healing.
As a therapist, I believe my greatest strengths lie in my authenticity, collaboration, and focus on building self-esteem. I show up as my true self in every session, which helps create a safe and open space for clients to do the same. I truly value working alongside my clients, partnering with them in their healing journey rather than dictating the process. My goal is to empower clients by reminding them of their progress, reinforcing their strength, and encouraging them to practice self-compassion. I am dedicated to supporting each client in cultivating a stronger sense of self-worth and grace as they navigate their healing process.
I work best with individuals who have experienced trauma and are seeking a safe, non-judgmental space to heal. Whether you’re navigating the aftermath of abuse, struggling with your sexual or gender identity, or dealing with the impact of grief, I am here to support you. I’m also passionate about working with those who may feel disconnected from themselves, helping them build a stronger sense of identity and self-worth.
Keyaira Allen offers therapy covered by Central California Alliance for Health (Medi-Cal), Gold Coast Health Plan (Medi-Cal), L.A. Care Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Orange County Mental Health Plan (Medi-Cal), Partnership HealthPlan of California (Medi-Cal) and San Francisco Health Plan (Medi-Cal) in California.
I implement culturally informed therapy by recognizing and respecting the diverse cultural backgrounds of my clients. I create a safe, inclusive environment by integrating their cultural values, beliefs, and traditions into the therapeutic process. This includes acknowledging systemic issues, exploring how cultural identity impacts their experiences, and tailoring interventions to align with their cultural context and individual needs.
In my practice, I use CBT to help you explore the connection between your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Together, we’ll identify patterns that might be keeping you stuck and work on reframing negative or unhelpful thoughts. I’ll guide you through practical exercises and tools, like journaling, thought logs, and behavioral experiments, to help you build healthier habits and coping strategies. My goal is to provide a structured, collaborative approach that empowers you to make meaningful changes and gain control over challenges in your life.
I implement humanistic therapy in practice by creating a warm, empathetic, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel safe to explore their feelings and experiences. I focus on active listening, validation, and unconditional positive regard, encouraging clients to trust their own inner resources for growth. By helping clients gain self-awareness and self-acceptance, I support them in realizing their full potential and finding meaning in their lives.
In my practice, I implement Structural Family Therapy by assessing the family's dynamics, boundaries, and roles to understand how they interact and communicate. I focus on identifying patterns of behavior that may be contributing to dysfunction and work to restructure these patterns by encouraging clearer boundaries, improved communication, and more balanced power dynamics. Through this approach, I help families create healthier relationships and promote mutual support and understanding.
In couples therapy, I focus on creating a safe and open environment where both partners can express their feelings and concerns. I use active listening to validate their experiences and facilitate constructive communication. I help them identify patterns of behavior that contribute to conflict, and guide them in developing healthier ways to interact, such as setting boundaries, practicing empathy, and fostering mutual respect. My approach is tailored to each couple's unique dynamics, focusing on their goals for improving the relationship.