Hi! I'm Kayla

You may also know me as Dr. Kayla Shires

Seeking therapy isn't always easy, so I'm glad you've prioritized yourself. I believe in shopping around for a therapist that you really get along with, so thank you for taking the time to learn a little about me. After all, this is (hopefully) going to be the person that you share everything with. The more comfortable you feel, the easier it becomes to be open, honest, and fully engaged in the work we do together.

I became a psychologist because I've always found people fascinating—unique, resilient, flawed, and shaped by experiences that deserve to be understood rather than judged. I love helping people recognize the strength they already have to create a life they truly want to live. We only have one life—let’s not waste it being stuck.

I’m a licensed clinical psychologist based in San Diego, California. My style is warm, collaborative, and gently direct. That means I'll meet you with empathy and compassion while also gently challenging you when it helps you move forward.

I work with adults navigating anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief, life transitions, self-esteem concerns, personality disorders, and other emotional difficulties. Together, we'll better understand the patterns that may be keeping you stuck, develop practical skills, and create an approach that fits your goals and the life you want to build. I currently offer virtual therapy for individuals.

What It's Like to Work With Me

I believe therapy works best as a collaborative process. My goal is for you to feel heard, understood, and supported while we work together toward the goals that matter most to you. Whether you're looking to address one specific concern or explore multiple areas of your life, we'll tailor therapy to meet your individual needs and preferences. I believe growth happens when we balance acceptance with change, so I'll always meet you with validation and kindness, but I won't be afraid to have the hard conversations when needed.

Together, we'll work to better understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors while developing practical skills to navigate life's challenges. Depending on your goals, this may include improving communication, strengthening relationships, building effective coping skills, managing intense emotions, or creating new patterns that better support the life you want to live. My goal is to help you become your own therapist. I want you to leave therapy with the insight, confidence, and practical skills to continue creating meaningful change long after our work together ends.

A Little About Me

Outside of the therapy room, you'll usually find me spending time with my friends and family, going on adventures with my daughter (her favorite so far is the aquarium), playing Spider Solitaire while listening to podcasts, trying to beat my husband at board games (I have a pretty good record), giving my dog and cat plenty of attention, traveling whenever I can, creating digital scrapbooks, or relaxing with a good movie or sitcom. Having a fulfilling life outside of work helps me show up for my clients with energy, curiosity, and compassion.

My Education & Training

I believe the best therapy combines genuine connection with strong clinical training. Here's a little about the path that brought me here. I’m originally from Southern California and am happy to be back home after completing my training in Florida and New Jersey. I earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and my doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. During my doctoral training, I completed clinical placements in community mental health centers, South Florida State Hospital, and the Miami VA, working with adults across a wide range of settings and presenting concerns.

I completed my predoctoral internship at Trenton Psychiatric Hospital in New Jersey, where I worked with adults experiencing serious mental illness, conducted psychological assessments, and received training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). I then completed my postdoctoral fellowship at Sharp Mesa Vista in San Diego, where I received specialized training in both Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and DBT while working in the CBT and DBT Intensive Outpatient Programs.

Throughout my training and career, I have helped adults navigating depression, anxiety, personality disorders, trauma, emotion dysregulation, grief, relationship challenges, work-related stress, life transitions, and other emotional difficulties. These experiences have shaped my collaborative, evidence-based approach to therapy and my commitment to helping clients build meaningful, lasting change.