Kayla Sykes, Psychologist

You're the one everyone leans on. You remember the birthdays, smooth over the tension, and say, "I'm fine," before anyone finishes asking. But inside, it's a different story. You replay conversations, looking for what you said wrong. You stay quiet about what you need because asking feels like too much. Somewhere along the way, being easy to love started to feel safer than being truly known. If that sounds familiar, you're in the right place. I'm Dr. Kayla Sykes, a licensed psychologist, and I work with women who are really good at taking care of everyone else, but terrible at letting anyone take care of them. Maybe it shows up as anxiety in your relationship, dread before a first date, or resentment you can't quite say out loud. Maybe it's burnout from a career, or a season of motherhood, that asks for everything you've got. These patterns made sense once. Often, they were the smartest way to stay connected growing up. They just aren't serving you anymore. In our work together, we'll get curious about where your people-pleasing and relationship anxiety come from. Then we'll practice something new: noticing what you feel, saying what you need, and tolerating the discomfort of being seen. My approach is attachment-based and relational. When you want something practical to take into your week, I draw on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and compassion-focused tools. We can focus on what's happening in your relationship right now, or go deeper into the patterns that keep you from feeling truly seen and loved. I bring warmth, compassion, and a good amount of humor to our sessions. I'll also gently point it out when you start people-pleasing me, because therapy is one place you don't have to perform. I see clients throughout California by telehealth, so you can do this work from wherever you feel most at ease. If something feels off, you don't have to figure it out alone. Reach out for a free 15-minute consultation, and let's talk.

My practice is 100% online, so you can meet with me from home, your office, or even your parked car between meetings (it happens more than you'd think). I see adults anywhere in California through a secure, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant video platform. Sessions are $250. I'm an out-of-network provider, which means I don't bill insurance directly, but I provide a superbill each month that you can submit to your insurance for possible reimbursement. Many preferred provider organization (PPO) plans cover a portion of out-of-network therapy, and I'm happy to walk you through how to check your benefits. Not sure if we're a good fit? I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can ask questions, get a feel for how I work, and decide whether it feels right, with no pressure either way. (And if you're worried about taking up my time, you're not. That's what it's for.) I'm a licensed psychologist in California (PSY32408) with a Psy.D. from Alliant International University and more than 10 years of experience working with women and young adults.