Kayla Tarazona is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of New Jersey and is also licensed in Vermont. She received her bachelor's degree in human services and completed her master's degree in Clinical Social Work through Rutgers. Kayla's experience includes work in a variety of settings, however, her most significant experience is working with the individual, connecting as a person to a person with empathy, compassion and understanding. Kayla is also a wife, and a mom - therefore she understands firsthand, parenting can be challenging and all consuming. Kayla does not believe in a "one size fits all" when it comes to therapy, she utilizes an eclectic and holistic approach in order to individualize treatment. Kayla incorporates a variety of approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Exposure Response Prevention, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Strengths Based Counseling to meet each individual's needs. Though Kayla has experience working with a wide range of mental health issues, she has a primary focus and interest in furthering her continuing education specializing in perinatal mental health, OCD and anxiety.
Specialty Areas:
OCD: Many persons experience unwanted and intrusive thoughts (obsessions) and have developed behaviors to reduce the distress of these experiences (compulsions). However, engaging in compulsive behaviors increases distress and anxiety in the long-term. Therefore, treatment focuses on planned exposures to the distressing situations, while simultaneously working to reduce the compulsive behaviors (CBT with ERP). Treatment is collaborative, active, and approach oriented. Given that individuals with OCD often want certainty, treatment focuses on becoming comfortable with uncertainty and often includes distress tolerance skills and the incorporation of planned enjoyable activities after exposures. Progress is monitored through your self-reported experiences, behavioral observations, and scientifically supported assessments. Together we challenge the obsessions and compulsions you experience through a welcoming environment and supportive therapeutic relationship.
Boundaries: I enjoy helping individuals who want to increase awareness of and explore their current boundaries with themselves, with others, with the pas and how they may want these to change. Healthier boundaries may look like the semi-permeable cell wall - they are there to protect us, to allow what we need to flow in, and what we no longer need or want to pass through. However, trauma and adverse experiences all impact how we develop and maintain boundaries. I'm here to help you navigate the boundary setting process, to explore what this will look like for you and set a plan to help you get there.
Families experiencing perinatal transitions: Adjusting to life after baby can leave you feeling in a fog and becoming a new parent can often come with a new set of challenges. My goal is to help you explore those feelings while developing skills to cope and navigate the transitions that accompany parenthood.
Maternal and Paternal Mood/Anxiety disorders: It is natural for women and men to experience changes in feelings and moods following pregnancy and the birth of a child. However, when mild changes become more severe it can make adjusting to life difficult. I utilize evidence-based interventions to assess and help you cope with those feelings and emotions during pregnancy, postpartum, adjusting to fatherhood and beyond.
Parenting Support and relationships: Relationships are essential to positive emotional and behavioral well-being. I will help you understand dynamics and support you with navigating those important relationships in your life.
More about me:
· I enjoy spending time with my husband, son and our three cats.
· Walking and hiking are my go-to's for exercise, because they're the most easily accessible with a toddler.
· Cooking is a form of therapy for me, I love creating something delicious and sharing it with others.
· I also love reading (when I have the time), let's be honest, I'm a mom.
· I enjoy crafting and shopping at craft shows
· Plants are my jam, anything I can easily propagate is a favorite!
