Hello! My name is kayla
...and I would love to help you!
Hello, I'm Kayla (she/her) and I'm excited to work with you!
I'm a New Orleans native and LSU Alumna (#LPLG).
Living in this gumbo of NOLA culture, we always ask, "Heyyy...How you doin'?" but no one really answers that question with transparency or vulnerability. As I learned how to answer that question truthfully, it ignited a desire to help others do the same.
From that ember of desire to help others, a therapist grew. As an African American female with a chronic illness, I found it difficult to find a therapist that understood me and my lived experiences. While, my circumstances are unique, I try to offer insight and support because compassion goes a long way. It's exciting to be a part of this new wave of wellness and help others.
When I'm not wearing my therapy cardigan, I'm usually trying out new recipes in the kitchen or hunting down used books. Outside of living my best homebody life, I'm usually in search of amazing coffee or delicious food.
Most importantly I am a Beyonce stan!
my approach
In my work, I focus on the experiences of individuals who face medical & racial trauma, ableism, and have difficulty navigating life. For me, that means focusing on you, your experiences, and life from your perspective. Many of the people who find my practice will often disclose prior experiences in therapy where they felt unheard or unseen due to a number of reasons. This often resulted in feeling hopeless and alone, I'd love to help; I'm here to go beyond the surface and get the unfiltered truth. I like to create a safe space for people who've have had difficulty being vulnerable in the past to unpack the weight they've been carrying.
While I'm not married to one model, I lean towards Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT), emotionally focused therapy (EFT), mindfulness, and therapeutic coaching. My diverse experiences as a medical case manager in hospitals, managed care, and counselor in private practice is what tailors my diverse approach to each client. I'll be honest, my approach is direct and firm, but it's always rooted in compassion. In session we may laugh, cry and/or reference pop culture but we'll get the job done. Therapy is work but it doesn't have to be hard.
“Turn toward that self-critical part of you with kindness and compassion. Thank her for the hard work she has done to help you survive”
- Emily Nagowski, PhD
Education & Certifications
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Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) (LA#6159)
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Certified Clinical Trauma Counselor (CCTP)
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500 Hour Hot Yoga Teacher Training, Magnolia Yoga Studio New Orleans, LA
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Master's of Health Science, Rehabilitation Counseling, LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, LA
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Bachelor of Science, Liberal Arts, LSU A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA
“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence. It is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare."
- Audre Lorde