Kimberly Mena

My name is Kim, and I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor dedicated to providing compassionate, culturally responsive care to individuals seeking support and healing. As an Afro‐Latina and a proud veteran of both the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army. These parts of my story influence the way I show up in the therapy room—with humility, authenticity, and a genuine belief in each person’s capacity for growth.

I earned dual master’s degrees from Liberty University—one in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and another in Human Services Counseling: Military Resilience—both completed summa cum laude. I also hold a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University at Buffalo. My professional background includes providing trauma‐informed, evidence‐based telehealth counseling to Medicaid populations, as well as working with individuals experiencing homelessness, military stressors, and complex life transitions. I am trained in CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and trauma‐informed care, and I integrate these approaches to meet each client’s unique needs.

I specialize in supporting adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, identity concerns, and the lingering impact of high‐stress environments. I have a particular passion for serving veterans, first responders, and underserved communities, and I strive to create a therapeutic space that honors culture, faith, and lived experience. While my own worldview is grounded in my Christian faith, I understand that not all clients wish to integrate spirituality into their therapeutic work—and I fully respect and support each person’s preferences. My role is to meet clients where they are and collaborate in a way that aligns with their values and goals.

Above all, I aim to build a collaborative, empowering relationship where clients feel seen, supported, and strengthened on their journey toward healing.

My approach to therapy is grounded in person‐centered principles, which means I view the therapeutic relationship as a collaborative space where you are the expert on your own life. I believe healing happens when people feel genuinely heard, respected, and understood, so I work to create an environment where you can speak freely without fear of judgment or pressure.

Rather than taking a rigid or overly clinical stance, I prefer a conversational style that allows our sessions to unfold naturally. This helps many clients feel more at ease, especially when discussing difficult emotions or experiences. I listen closely, ask thoughtful questions, and reflect what I’m hearing so we can explore your thoughts and feelings together at a pace that feels right for you.

While I bring my clinical training and evidence‐based tools into the work, I never assume a one‐size‐fits‐all approach.

My goal is to meet you where you are, honor your lived experience, and support you in discovering insights, strengths, and solutions that align with your values and goals. Above all, I want therapy to feel like a safe, authentic conversation where you can show up exactly as you are!

Our first session is really a chance for us to get to know each other. I take a person‐centered, conversational approach, so rather than jumping straight into structured assessments or formal questioning, I invite you to share your story in a way that feels natural and comfortable. This time is about understanding who you are, what your day‐to‐day life looks like, and what brings you to therapy right now.

I’ll ask gentle, open‐ended questions to help me learn about your background, your strengths, and the challenges you’re facing. There’s no pressure to have everything figured out or to share more than you’re ready for. My goal is to create a space where you feel safe, heard, and respected from the very beginning.

We’ll also talk about what you hope to gain from therapy and how we can work together in a way that aligns with your values, pace, and preferences. By the end of our first meeting, my aim is for you to feel understood, supported, and confident that you have a partner in your healing process.