My name is Kayla Gasper, Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Provider, Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. I am certified in Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Foundationally trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy., and Intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C). I am part of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy team at Beach Therapy & Consulting.

I believe therapy is an active relationship between the therapist and patient. It is a safe, comfortable space to be open and honest with oneself to gain the tools to change. We all deal with life stressors, which may come from past or current events or trauma. I am passionate for assisting others with their journey to cope and better understand their own responses to their stressor and what gets in the way of being effective.

I primarily specialize in Cognitive Behavior Therapy as a base theory for treatment where individuals can learn new thought and behavioral patterns to help improve their lives. I want each person to leave their session with the tools, strength, and encouragement to navigate through life as challenges may arise. I am certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy to adolescents and children 8 and older that have experienced either a single trauma or a traumatic childhood. This treatment also has a component where the parents are involved to provide the child with extra support. 

I spent many years working at correctional facilities early in my training that led me toward specializing with adults with substance abuse issues. I found that addiction not only affects the individual but the family as a whole and how there was room for growth for those individuals. That led me to use those skills working with children and adolescents as I worked in day treatment programs in school settings providing community and school based mental health services. 

I joined Beach Therapy & Consulting in 2020 with an interest in joining the Dialectical Behavior Therapy team. I wanted to learn more about how to provide effective therapy for patients that struggle with multiple issues which can include trauma, mood disorders, substance abuse, family conflict and that are often mis diagnosed. These patients have frequently had several treatment experiences that have been inadequate to fully address the root of the emotional dysregulation. I am Foundationally Trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and found an interest in extending my work with children through the adaptation of DBT-C or DBT with Children. I am Intensively Trained in this adaption, working with children from 8 years old -13yo and their parents. I currently am offering an adapted DBT Skills only group for those in Substance Recovery with at least 1 month clean. I am LGBT-Q friendly and enjoy working with this population within my specialty areas.

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy
• Trauma- Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD
• Foundationally trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar, and Substance Abuse
• Intensively trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Children (DBT-C).
• Children ages 8+
• Depression
• Anxiety, trauma, PTSD
• Comorbid substance use
• Self-esteem and adjustment issues
• Non-suicidal self-harming behaviors
• Suicidal ideation
• ADHD/ODD. (Note I do not work with spectrum-based disorders)