Associate Therapist, Monroeville

Kayla graduated with a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chatham University, where she also received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She completed her clinical internship at the STAR-Center Clinic during her final two semesters at Chatham, working with adolescents and young adults experiencing varying severity of depression, anxiety, and suicidality. During her internship, she received training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), developed her skills in crisis management, and gained extensive experience administering comprehensive mental health assessments. During her graduate studies, Kayla also developed a research presentation on the pathophysiology of OCD in the brain, which provided her with insight into how symptoms of OCD manifest and how effective treatment can help.

Kayla utilizes Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) among other evidence-based approaches to individualize treatment to fit the unique needs of each client experiencing OCD and related anxiety disorders.

She believes effective therapy involves building a trusting and collaborative therapeutic alliance with clients, while using treatment approaches rooted in evidence-based practices. I strive to create an environment where clients feel safe to be their authentic selves by using an appropriate balance of humor, compassion, and genuineness.