Kayla Little
she/herCounselor (Resident In Counseling)
Anxiety, Depression, Grief, Trauma / PTSD, Substance Use, Military / Veteran
Self pay costs
Out-of-pocket session costs for clients who don’t have insurance or aren’t covered by their insurance for mental health services.
Hi, I'm Kayla, a Resident in Counseling and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor Supervisee. I earned an M.S. in Education, concentration in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, from Old Dominion University, and a B.S. in Psychological Science, minor in Kinesiology in Health Science, from William and Mary. I work with adolescents and adults with minority cultural identities on depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, adjustment, self-esteem, relationship concerns, anger management, substance abuse, and stress, plus military clients, spouses, and families. My clients often look for a clinician who resonates with their racial identity.
I use a person-centered approach to start every relationship, giving clients space to discuss culture and how they'd like our work together to look. I also collaborate with them on goals tailored to their needs. I incorporate CBT, DBT, and solution-focused therapy to help clients learn, grow, and heal. Sessions are collaborative, honest, and open.
Progress is tangible, and it's essential to remember this process is about the client. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Therapy is a journey where individuals often review their lives from beginning, middle, and end. I aim to be a liaison throughout the process of healing, self-discovery, and growth. I invite clients to schedule an appointment.
"As a Black woman, I have witnessed the stigma around mental health services and desire to be a positive representative and liaison for my community. I strive to be a representative of how culture can be utilized in an ethical manner with the utmost respect and utilization in client care."
Why did you decide to become a counselor or psychiatric provider?
I became a counselor to help reduce the stigma concerning mental health in the Black community. It is my goal to be a resource for those with minority cultural identities and help those who look like me feel comfortable to engage in the therapeutic process. Mental health is essential for overall wellbeing and I strive to be an intentional aid for those who are ready to grow and embark on the journey of healing.
What types of clients do you work best with?
I work best with clients who are open, honest, and engaged in the therapeutic process. Clients who value authenticity and are looking to collaborate with their clinician to create goals and do the hard work in and out of session are the clients that I have witnessed the most progress with.
What's one thing you wish all clients knew about therapy, mental health, or the healing process?
I wish clients knew that progress is tangible in therapy, but that they understood it is a marathon not a sprint. Confronting yourself and your experiences is not an easy process, but it can be done with support and intention.
What can clients expect in their first session with you and in the early stages of therapy?
In the beginning of the therapeutic journey we will explore the clients' reasoning for therapy and collaboratively decide the most appropriate ways to aid their progress. We will examine various aspects of their lives, thoughts, emotions, and experiences. During initial sessions, we will examine concerns to aid in creating a plan for addressing them and their impact on their wellbeing. Rapport building will be prioritized and a key part in creating the foundation for the therapeutic relationship.
What personal experiences or values inform your practice as a therapist/provider?
My own experience with therapy as well as my personal morals and values including honesty, integrity, authenticity, and compassion inform my practice as a therapist.
How do you tailor therapy to meet each client’s unique needs?
I tailor therapy to meet each client's needs by ensuring that every session, technique, selected modality, and assignment are in alignment with the client's goals and concerns. I also complete frequent checkins with each client to collect data regarding their experiences and utilize their responses to tailor sessions. By utilizing various techniques such as music, art, games, etc., I am able to introduce things each client loves to not only build rapport, but tailor sessions in a manner that helps that feel comfortable and actually achieve progress.
- Years in practice
- 3 years
- Graduating institute
- Old Dominion University
- Graduating degree
- Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
