Kayla Jimenez, Psy.D.

Welcome! I’m Kayla, a licensed clinical psychologist in California (PSY33732). I understand firsthand that when our relationships feel strained, our whole world can feel a bit off balance. I value close, meaningful relationships with my partner, friends, and family, and this shapes my belief in the importance of communication and connection. I specialize in working with couples and families navigating hard transitions and also work with individuals via telehealth.

I know that transitions whether related to relationships, identity, trauma, or life circumstances can feel overwhelming and isolating. Couples and families often share that they feel unsure how to move forward together. As your therapist, my goal is to help you feel less alone while building practical tools and new perspectives that support communication, resilience, and deeper connection.

Alongside my clinical work at Palmetto Psychology Clinic, I serve as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. In this role, I contribute to the DBT, PTSD, and Women’s Wellness Clinics, and I value staying closely connected to teaching, supervision, and consultation.

I earned both my Master’s and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium. I completed my residency at the VA Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center and my post-doctoral fellowship with the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. I’m trained in evidence-based therapies, including Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which I integrate thoughtfully based on each client’s needs and goals.

In my practice, I focus on building genuine, trusting relationships and offering culturally attuned psychotherapy that honors each client’s identities, values, and lived experiences. My approach is relational, compassionate, and flexible, drawing from behavioral, mindfulness, and systems-based strategies to support insight, growth, and lasting change.