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Kayla Horton, M.SW, ASW

Associate Clinical Social Worker

specialty areas: Children, Teens, Perinatal Health, Grief & Loss

I am passionate about creating a safe and accepting space where clients feel seen, heard, and understood. My approach is informed with a trauma-informed lens, honoring each person’s unique story while recognizing the profound impact of life experiences on emotional well-being. Grounded in the belief that humans are wired for connection, I integrate principles of attachment theory emphasizing the importance of relationships in healing and growth.

I bring a diverse clinical background, including experience as a medical social worker in an acute hospital setting. There, I supported individuals and families navigating complex psychosocial stressors, incorporating motivational interviewing, crisis intervention, grief and bereavement counseling, case management, and linkages. I have experience in maternal-child health, with individuals during both antepartum and postpartum periods. I have supported clients in processing traumatic birth experiences, adjusting to the transition into parenthood, and coping with perinatal loss. Additionally, I have worked in a high-risk infant follow-up clinic, for children born in the NICU and their families as they navigate early developmental concerns through the first four years of life. My background includes working with adolescents and adults experiencing substance use disorders, tailoring treatment to each individual’s stage of change. I am dedicated to fostering a nurturing and nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship rooted in compassion, curiosity, and respect.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with a minor in Human and Family Development

from Arizona State University in 2019, and my Master of Social Work from Arizona State University in 2023.

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In-Network With:

Our Preferred Evidence-Based Treatments

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment that helps change distressing thought patterns that contribute to anxiety and depression. Through CBT, you'll learn to identify and challenge negative thoughts, reframe irrational beliefs, and replace them with healthier, more realistic perspectives. CBT also focuses on breaking patterns of self-doubt and worry by learning how to re-evaluate situations and adopt more constructive thinking. These tools empower you to make lasting changes in how you think and respond.
ERP is a structured therapy that helps reduce distress from obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors. It involves gradual, guided exposure to feared situations or thoughts without doing the habits or rituals you usually do to feel better. This process helps decrease anxiety over time and breaks the cycle of obsessions and rituals. You remain fully present and supported throughout, learning new ways to tolerate discomfort and regain control. ERP is especially effective for OCD, skin picking, hair pulling, and related anxiety challenges. Sessions are available in person and via telehealth throughout California.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) combines cognitive-behavioral techniques with mindfulness principles to help individuals manage emotions, navigate challenges, and improve relationships. It focuses on four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. By building these skills, DBT empowers individuals to replace destructive patterns with practical, lasting strategies that promote resilience, balance, and a greater sense of control in daily life.
EMDR helps your brain reprocess stuck memories so they no longer feel overwhelming or intense. Unprocessed experiences can trigger or worsen anxiety, shame, distress, and physiological reactions. After EMDR, difficult experiences often feel neutral, distant, or easier to manage. We use techniques like eye movements or handheld tappers to activate both sides of the brain, supporting your brain’s natural ability to heal and make sense of the distressing experiences. Sessions follow a structured 8-phase protocol to help you build resilience and process memories, while fully awake and alert. EMDR is effective for distress related to loss, illness, trauma, childhood wounds, and relationship pain.