Kayla Kendall, LPCA

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate (LPCA) in the state of Connecticut. I am deeply passionate about working with neurodivergent individuals especially within the Black community and creating spaces where people feel seen, understood, and empowered to grow. My clinical approach is affirming, collaborative, and rooted in the belief that mental health care should reflect the full humanity of the people it serves.

I specialize in supporting youth and young adults as they navigate life transitions, emotional regulation, identity development, and the unique challenges that come with being neurodivergent in a world that often lacks empathy or understanding. My passion for this work is both personal and professional. I understand how neurodivergence, processing differences, and emotional dysregulation are often overlooked or misunderstood in Black communities. Systemic racism, cultural stigma, and underrepresentation have created serious gaps in care and I am committed to bridging those gaps through culturally responsive, neurodiversity-affirming therapy.

I work from a trauma-informed lens grounded in safety, trust, and consistency. Many of the clients I support are not only navigating neurodivergence but also managing complex trauma, chronic stress, and internalized shame. I have received training in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) under supervision, which has equipped me with powerful tools to support clients dealing with trauma and dissociation. I also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) into my work to help clients develop emotional regulation skills, distress tolerance, and executive functioning strategies. Whether I’m helping someone process painful memories, practice grounding techniques, or build daily routines that work for their unique brain, my goal is always to support them in becoming more connected to themselves.

I take a strengths-based and person-centered approach, honoring each client's lived experience while gently guiding them toward greater self-awareness and emotional clarity. I enjoy working with young people who are learning to advocate for themselves, develop healthy coping strategies, and rewrite self-affirming narratives that make space for their full identities. I am intentional in creating an environment where clients can show up as their whole selves, speak freely, and have their stories met with warmth, care, and respect.

Outside of individual therapy, I’m deeply committed to advocacy and research that uplifts the voices of marginalized communities. I have presented on topics related to racial identity, neurodivergence, trauma, and the mental health experiences of Black girls and women. These opportunities have sharpened my clinical insight and strengthened my commitment to challenging systemic barriers and making therapy more inclusive, accessible, and effective.

As I continue to grow in this field, I remain grounded in my purpose: to walk alongside others as they heal, explore, and transform. My work is to meet clients exactly where they are and remind them that they are never alone in the process.