Addiction therapists & psychiatrists in Lacey, WA

Kayla, a licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in community mental health, recognized the profound disparities in access to mental health care within BIPOC communities. Inspired by a vision of creating a space where healing is both inclusive and affordable, she founded Helen’s Project with the belief that everyone deserves access to quality mental health support, regardless of their background or financial situation.​​Helen’s Project operates on the principle that culturally competent and empathetic mental health care is essential for holistic well-being. The organization collaborates with a diverse team of mental health professionals who not only possess clinical expertise but also understand the unique cultural nuances and challenges faced by the BIPOC community.

The therapeutic process is enhanced through safety and relationship. I work to build a rapport with my clients that is grounded in safety, security, and trust.

The clients I serve are teens and adults 13-65 who come for help addressing various needs and goals, ranging from: anxiety, depression, suicidal thinking, behavioral problems, sibling rivalry, adjusting to changes in the family composition, parental separation and divorce , LGBTQI+ concerns, gender identity issues, trauma, and more. Clients and families seek relief, increased family harmony, improved school performance and behavior, and a return to healthy behavior, thinking, and feeling through the acquisition and development of strategies and tools tailored to meet individual needs.

I have 11 years of experience as a high school teacher, and more than 15 years of combined experience working at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Devereux Residential Treatment Center for Adolescent Girls, a private inpatient psychiatric hospital for teens and children, as well as extensive experience in outpatient medical clinics.

In my careers as teacher and now psychotherapist I have worked with more than 3000 children and teens, and their families, in many different settings in Canada, New York City, Philadelphiaia, and Seattle. I understand their experiences, but see each as an individual with unique strengths and needs. I see each as a person-first, capable of change, and inherent worthy of support.

About Me

Struggling with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and/or chronic illness and still feeling stuck? Many of my clients have done years of talk therapy but continue to feel disconnected. You understand your patterns intellectually, but your nervous system hasn't caught up yet.

In my 22 years of clinical practice, I have found that nervous system dysregulation sits at the crux of all chronic illness, trapping the body in survival mode and blocking true physical and emotional healing. As a University of Washington graduate, I provide culturally sensitive, evidence-based care specializing in trauma resolution, discovering your true life purpose, and helping individuals make meaning out of tragedies. My approach balances academic and clinical rigor with a highly intuitive style, integrating somatic work and core beliefs to create deep, lasting relief. I describe myself as a direct, compassionate "soul sister" with a humorous, no-nonsense style—because let's face it, the human plight is nuts! Beyond individual therapy, I extend this transformative work to the community by offering interactive public workshops designed to help people get out of their heads and step into integrated change.

I'm a seasoned dually licensed therapist with over 10 years of clinical experience. I have worked with individuals who specifically suffer from addiction, borderline personality disorder, relationship issues, trauma, depression, anxiety, previously incarcerated and those in crisis. Iv also observed and supervised individuals in gaining their hours for licensure as well.