Karen Zelaya-Kendall

Karen Zelaya-Kendall is a clinical psychologist who helps people manage stress, anxiety, trauma, depression, and life transitions. He also supports those facing ADHD and women's issues related to pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum mood changes. He holds psychology licenses in Pennsylvania and California and has been practicing for nearly three decades.

He earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from St. John's University and earlier degrees from the same school and Loyola University New Orleans. Over many years he has worked in outpatient, inpatient, and residential settings. He has provided individual care, group work, and supervised other clinicians and trainees.

He practices with a focus on cognitive behavioral approaches, starting treatment by teaching skills that improve daily functioning. Sessions emphasize practical tools so people can feel better at home, at work, and in relationships. He aims to help clients understand patterns that affect mood and behavior and to move forward with clearer strategies.

His background includes training in dialectical behavior therapy and prolonged exposure methods for trauma, as well as a certificate in perinatal mood and anxiety care. That experience informs work with panic, post-traumatic stress, self-harm, and postpartum concerns.

People who choose him often want straightforward skills, clear goals, and an emphasis on improving everyday life. He approaches therapy as a collaborative process and tailors work to the concerns each person brings.

Approaches that guide online care and choice

He commonly draws on cognitive behavioral methods that help people identify thoughts and behaviors that keep problems going and then practice clearer ways of coping. This approach is often used for anxiety, depression, panic, and ADHD-related challenges.

He also uses elements from exposure-based work for trauma, which involves gradual, supported practice with memories or situations that provoke distress so reactions lessen over time. That approach is typically matched to people dealing with post-traumatic stress and panic symptoms.

Choosing the right method is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and how symptoms show up before recommending an approach. Clients are invited to give feedback and adjust the plan as therapy progresses.

Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. Ask about the specific session formats available when you schedule to find what fits your routine.