Therapist profile
Zaya Kuykendall, LMHC, LPCC
California
LMHC LPCC - Stress and Relationships
Continue with ZayaKey details
- CredentialsLMHC, LPCC
- LicenseLMHC, New York / 005925; LPC, Virginia / 0701007572; LPC, New Jersey / 37PC00878700; LPCC, California / 10369; LCMHC, Utah / 12996355-6004
- NPI1558766469
- Experience16 years
- LanguagesEnglish
- LocationCalifornia
About
- Gestalt influenced
- Motivational interviewing
- Solution focused work
About Zaya
Zaya Kuykendall is an LMHC and an LPCC practicing in California with 16 years in the helping field and over a decade as a psychotherapist. She works with common life stresses including anxiety, relationship strain, substance concerns, grief, parenting challenges, and anger. Sessions emphasize practical steps to steady emotions and clarify priorities.
Zaya describes therapy as a place to reset and get a tune-up. She focuses on helping people reconnect with themselves, regulate emotions, and assess goals. Conversations are collaborative - she listens, shares feedback, and together they decide how to move forward.
Her style draws from Gestalt, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused therapy. That mix guides short-term problem solving, finding closure for unfinished issues, and strengthening personal resources. She uses straightforward guidance and concrete feedback rather than long abstract explanations.
Zaya has worked on domestic violence, child development and parenting, familial discord, women’s issues, and substance abuse across settings. Her background includes individual, group, family, couples, and e-therapy platforms. She emphasizes identifying feelings and building skills to handle obstacles that come up in daily life.
In sessions she pays attention to what’s getting in the way and helps set a practical plan. The aim is greater self-awareness and clearer steps forward when stress, anger, or life changes feel overwhelming.
How sessions work
Practical approaches for online sessions
Gestalt-influenced work focuses on present-moment awareness and how current thoughts and behaviors affect feelings. It helps people notice patterns that keep anger or stress active and try new responses in real time.Motivational interviewing emphasizes a conversational style that helps clarify what matters to the client and builds readiness to change. It can be useful when someone feels stuck or ambivalent about changing angry reactions or substance use.
Solution-focused techniques concentrate on small, achievable steps and what already works. This approach is useful when the goal is short-term behavior change, clearer priorities, or quick coping strategies for stress and frustration.
Finding the right combination of these methods is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to decide which approaches fit their goals and preferences. That decision is adjusted over time based on what helps most.
Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. The biography notes past use of e-therapy platforms, but current session options should be confirmed before booking. Online work can still focus on skills, emotional regulation, and practical planning just as in-person sessions do.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Experience
16+ years
Listed in
New York, Virginia, New Jersey, California, Utah
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and family issues, trauma and abuse, depression, grief, anger, parenting, sleep and eating concerns, self-esteem, career changes, bipolar, ADHD, and related life transitions.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses a collaborative and practical approach. Conversations focus on regulating emotions, clarifying priorities, and taking concrete steps forward.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 16 years working in the helping field and more than ten years practicing as a psychotherapist.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
She holds LMHC and LPCC credentials and practices in California. The credential details are NY LMHC and CA LPCC.
What languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
Which session formats does she provide?
The original biography references in-person and e-therapy platforms historically. Please confirm current session formats before booking.
How does pricing work?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is unsafe, use the crisis numbers.