- LGBT concerns
- Trauma and abuse
- ADHD and coaching
About Kayla
Kayla "Kai" Coca is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York with four years of clinical therapy experience. Kai moved into outpatient therapy after several years doing crisis work. Their practice focuses on LGBT concerns, trauma and abuse, coaching, and ADHD among other areas.
Kai works from a trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming perspective and draws on several therapy approaches to match a client's needs. Sessions are collaborative and practical. Kai treats people as the experts on their own story and builds on existing strengths rather than starting from scratch.
In the room Kai helps people set clear goals and pick manageable steps. Conversations often include skills practice, checking how ideas fit daily life, and looking at patterns that keep problems going. Kai uses methods from cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, psychodynamic ideas, and client-centered work to support these efforts.
Clients come for many concerns beyond the main focus areas. Kai also works with attachment questions, autism and Asperger syndrome, body image, chronic illness and pain, communication problems, dissociation, eating issues, family of origin conflict, gender dysphoria, and multicultural matters. Kai aims to be straightforward about what to expect and to help people find useful next steps.
Kai speaks English and practices in New York. People interested in starting are asked to follow the site's intake flow to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How Kai's approaches translate to online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It is useful for feeling stuck, making changes, and clarifying what matters. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and trying different behaviors to reduce distress. CBT can help with mood, anxiety, and practical problem solving. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) offers concrete skills for emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and improved interpersonal communication, which can be helpful when emotions feel overwhelming.Choosing the right approach is part of the work with Kai. They will talk with each person about goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as needed, keeping the focus on useful changes rather than fitting a label.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm the available options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life by removing travel time and allowing shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people join from different locations if that helps balance work, school, or other commitments. Licensed professionals adapt exercises and skills practice so they work over distance and aim to keep sessions practical and focused on daily life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
4+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does Kai help with?
Kai works with LGBT concerns, trauma and abuse, ADHD, and coaching. They also address attachment, body image, chronic illness, eating issues, gender dysphoria, and related topics.
What is Kai's approach in sessions?
Sessions use a trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming eclectic approach. Kai combines practical skills work with reflective conversation to meet goals.
How much experience does Kai have?
Kai has four years of therapy experience and prior experience doing crisis work. That background informs their way of responding in sessions.
Is Kai a licensed clinician and where are they based?
Kai is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensed in New York and practices from New York.
Are sessions offered in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with Kai?
Kai is not currently accepting international clients.
What format are sessions and how much do they cost?
Session formats are not specified here; please confirm current session options before booking. Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with Kai?
Start by selecting the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.