Kayla Cruz, M.Ed., LPC-Associate

Who I help:

Children (ages 4 and up), tweens, teens, and parents

My areas of expertise:

• Emotional Regulation

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Self-Confidence

My approach:

• Child-Centered Play Therapy

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)

• Expressive Arts Therapy

About Me:

Hi, I’m Kayla! I am passionate about working with children and teens and fostering meaningful connections. I strive to create a warm, welcoming space where clients feel supported, understood, and safe as they navigate life’s challenges. My hope is that each client gains confidence, recognizes their strengths, and develops greater emotional awareness through our time together.  

With children, I utilize Child-Centered Play Therapy. Play is such an important part in how children communicate and process their world. I encourage child-led play to support autonomy, build confidence, and help them work through feelings and experiences. With tweens and teens, I incorporate expressive arts, mindfulness, DBT, and SFBT to develop coping skills, strengthen emotional regulation, and build problem-solving strategies.  

I have experience providing school-based counseling in elementary and middle schools, supporting children and teens with school stress, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, and emotional dysregulation. Through my work at TCU’s Riverside Counseling Clinic, The Art Station, and in school-based settings, I have seen how important it is for clients to have a safe and accepting space to explore their thoughts and feelings. It is an honor to support clients and their families as they grow, heal, and build resilience.

Outside of the therapy room, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, trying new restaurants, working on puzzles, and practicing yoga. I would love to connect and see if I might be a good fit for you or your child.