We were lucky to catch up with Kayla Reeve recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayla , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about how you went about setting up your own practice and if you have any advice for professionals who might be considering starting their own?

I realized I wanted to start my own therapy practice during my senior year of undergrad, though I often questioned whether I could turn that dream into reality. After graduating grad school, I had the opportunity to complete a pre-doctoral position working in an in-patient rehabilitation center with folks who had experienced major traumas including spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and amputations. Working on an interdisciplinary team allowed me first hand experience at providing holistic care, further deepening my systemic understanding of our health care system.

My need for growth and authenticity set me on a path towards private practice. Despite my fears and limiting beliefs, I continued to follow my sense of genuine curiosity as I continued to consume bits of knowledge from the varying experts all around me. It led me to great resources, connections, and eventually a support system as I was defining what it meant to be a caring, ethical, effective, and successful therapist. I started out in a group practice, Blossom Wellness, with a supportive mentor where I was able to continue gaining experience and understand all the parts they don’t teach you in school. Like how to correctly bill insurance, taxes as a sole proprietor, or how to start an LLC.

As a young therapist and business owner, one of my biggest challenges was shifting my mindset from “I have no idea what I’m doing.” to “I can forgive myself for not knowing everything, I am learning and evolving, it’s okay to be imperfect”. At first, even calling myself a business owner felt laughable.

I would encourage all my fellow young professionals to practice spending time unlearning the belief that asking for help is a weakness. Embrace the discomfort of trying something new and surround yourself with people who support your growth. Get clear about your values and use these as anchors when making challenging decisions to practice building self-trust and authenticity.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Kayla Reeve, I am an EMDR trained licensed marriage and family therapist , owner of Evolve Collaborative, PLLC, and former collegiate athlete. Born and raised in the San Fernando Valley Los Angeles I’m a true valley girl at heart. Growing up in the vibrant fast-paced world of LA has shaped who I am today. My laid-back yet determined spirit helps me connect with clients who may feel the pressure to keep up with the hustle of life. Whether you’re navigating perfectionism, healing from relational trauma, exploring your identity, or balancing the demands of athletic life, Evolve Collaborative is the place just for you.

I specialize in PTSD, ADHD, Anxiety, Identity Work, performance anxiety and family/interpersonal relationship dynamics. As a relational trauma therapist, I love to collaborate with local providers to provide a holistic approach to client care. My therapeutic approach is all about creating an inclusive, relaxed, supportive vibe where curiosity, authenticity, and empowerment are encouraged. Exploring unique experiences and identities. I work alongside clients to challenge their limiting negative beliefs in a way that feels safe and collaborative. I believe clients are the experts of their own lives. My goal is to help them uncover new insights and possibilities as we navigate their journey towards growth and healing.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

One of the most helpful tools for succeeding in my field was ironically, Therapy. Being a therapist, and regularly attending therapy as a client has been a major tool in helping me work towards creating my definition of a successful private clinician and business owner. This did not come easy, as this was an intentional commitment I made to myself, which meant a brief trial and error period before finding the right fit. But once you find that fit, it makes all the difference! Therapy has become a core part of my self care as this practice allows me to continue to pour into others. I am also able to connect with another clinician who can professionally speak to nuances of being a clinician and get connected to resources. Being a client myself has also given me perspective of the vulnerability and courage it takes to show up and invite change.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Throughout my journey as a therapist and business owner, I’ve had to unlearn many limiting beliefs. One of the biggest was that emotions are unproductive or a sign of weakness. In reality, emotions are our body’s way of communicating what is going on internally and how we relate to the world around us.

For many—especially athletes—emotions are often seen as inconvenient or painful rather than as valuable tools. Society reinforces this belief by praising those who perform at their best despite intense stress and pressure. However, studying the brain, trauma, and emotional regulation has taught me that “turning off” emotions is linked to higher levels of dissociation, anxiety, and depression.
While, emotional regulation skills allow us to access meditative states, achieve flow states, and reach peak performance. Emotions are not barriers—they are powerful tools that can open doors to growth and possibility.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.evolvecollabclt.com
• Instagram: evolve.with.k
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/evolve-collaborative_mentalhealth-perfectionism-relationaltrauma-activity-7248770951612370945-Dpl2/
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/evolve-collaborative-charlotte

Image Credits

Created By Kayla Reeve, LMFT