Kayla Dragseth

Hello! I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a passion for helping children, adolescents, and families navigate life's challenges while building resilience, confidence, and healthy relationships.

My educational background includes graduate training in counseling, with specialized experience supporting children and teens in school and community settings. Throughout my professional career, I have worked closely with students, families, educators, and multidisciplinary teams to address social-emotional concerns, behavioral challenges, anxiety, self-esteem issues, peer conflicts, emotional regulation, and life transitions.

I have extensive experience working with children and adolescents, particularly in elementary and middle school-aged populations. My approach is rooted in creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel heard, valued, and empowered. I utilize evidence-based interventions tailored to each client's unique needs, incorporating developmentally appropriate strategies, skill-building activities, and collaborative problem-solving.

Areas of focus include:

• Anxiety and stress management
• Emotional regulation and coping skills
• Behavioral concerns
• Self-esteem and confidence building
• Social skills development
• Peer relationships and conflict resolution
• Family and school-related challenges
• Life transitions and adjustment concerns

I believe that meaningful change happens when clients feel understood and supported. My goal is to help individuals recognize their strengths, develop effective coping strategies, and build the skills needed to thrive both emotionally and socially.

My approach is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based. I utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Positive Psychology, Motivational Interviewing, Behavior Modification, Psychoeducational Family Therapy, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and trauma-informed approaches tailored to each client's unique needs.

When working with children and adolescents, I incorporate developmentally appropriate interventions that build emotional regulation, coping skills, self-confidence, communication skills, and resilience. I believe meaningful change happens when clients feel safe, supported, and actively involved in the therapeutic process. Together, we'll identify strengths, address challenges, and develop practical strategies that can be applied in everyday life.

The first session is all about getting to know you and helping you feel comfortable. We'll spend time talking about what brought you to therapy, any concerns or goals you have, and what you'd like to get out of our time together.

There is no pressure to share everything right away. You can expect a relaxed, supportive conversation where we move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. I'll also answer any questions you have about the therapy process so you know what to expect moving forward.

My goal for the first session is simply to begin building a connection, understand your unique experiences, and create a plan together that feels helpful and meaningful to you.