Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Elk Grove, CA covered by Aetna

Hi! I'm Kalene. I help those who find it easy to be compassionate toward others but struggle with self-compassion. I work with perfectionists, people-pleasers, and overthinkers who feel burnt out from always being "on" and trying to meet impossible expectations. These expectations may be self-inflicted, or come from an overload of responsibilities, such as being a caregiver, parent, help professional, public figure, or family leader. I have specialized training and experience in supporting survivors of sexual trauma and those in the Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) community. I help people build a greater sense of self-compassion through traditional 1:1 therapy, and reset their overactive nervous system through integrative neurofeedback/biofeedback.

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and founder of CRiY Therapeutic Services: Cultivating Resilience in You. I specialize in helping individuals navigate stress, trauma, grief, and emotional challenges using varying approaches that build resilience and leads to lasting change as you journey to renew your mind. I provide support to individuals 13 yrs and up, couples, and families. I also provide support to individuals living with chronic pain including sickle cell anemia, long term disease, and individuals struggling with varying life challenges.

You may be seeking support in moving toward a more preferred version of yourself, your life, and your relationships. You may be questioning important facets of your identity, or wondering how to locate and uproot the seeds of painful and complicated emotions. Perhaps you are curious about navigating a different type of relational structure with your loved ones, or you may be feeling stuck with a particular challenge in the way you connect to others. My role as a therapist is to provide support and facilitate insight that will allow you to work toward your personal goals.

H.E.R.O.E.S. Therapy (Helping Each-other Recognize Our Extraordinary Selves) offers a fun & creative way to explore mental health through popular culture, and gain skills needed to fight the villians and monsters that haunt all of us. If you identify as a nerd, geek, introvert, outcast, weirdo, etc., I am here for you. We'll discuss favorite characters from books, movies, shows, video games, & social media. We will play alongside each other and use real-world moments to gain insight into behavior, emotions, sensations, & thoughts.

Clients working with me can expect a therapeutic experience rooted in restorative care, cultural authenticity, and deep respect for their lived story. At Cultivating A Better Me, healing is not defined solely by symptom reduction—it is a process of rebuilding inner safety, strengthening emotional resilience, and reconnecting with the parts of yourself that deserve to be seen, honored, and supported.

My clinical foundation began at Sacramento Head Start, where I learned the profound impact of compassion, early intervention, and family‐centered support. With advanced training in Early Childhood Development and Counseling Psychology, I bring specialized expertise in disruptive behaviors, trauma‐responsive care, and expressive‐arts‐based healing.

Within my practice, clients are invited into a space where they can slow down, breathe, and explore their experiences without judgment. I integrate evidence‐based practices with creativity, narrative work, and culturally grounded approaches that honor identity, community, and personal agency.

Most importantly, clients should know that I show up with presence, authenticity, and a deep commitment to helping them cultivate meaningful, sustainable change. Healing is a collaborative journey—and I walk alongside you with compassion, clarity, and support.

Are you struggling to have harmony in your relationships? Does having ease in your life seem like a far-fetched dream? Are you feeling overwhelmed with the state of the world and all you have to do? Welcome, you're in the right place! I have been in your shoes and the first (or twenty) step is always the hardest. As someone who has learned to balance multiple cultures, I know what it can feel like to straddle various parts of your identity. I have first hand experienced feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, angry, and at a complete loss for how to navigate the intensity of my emotions. This has informed my practice and work with clients where I strongly believe that our emotions guide us to understanding ourselves in a new light. Asking for help can be difficult, especially in a culture that values productivity over personality.

Whatever's brought you here — depression that's hard to shake, anxiety that won't quiet down, the weight of past trauma, the ups and downs of bipolar disorder, or strain in your closest relationships — you don't have to navigate it alone. I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 28 years of experience, and I've spent that time helping individuals, couples, and families find their way through life's hardest stretches.

My specialties include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, and trauma, along with deep experience in relationships, family dynamics, child development, and parenting. After nearly three decades in this work, very little feels too big or too complicated to bring into the room — and I'll meet you with both warmth and the honesty that real change requires.