Kiara Vuppala, APCC

Clinical Approach

I am especially devoted to supporting children and their caregivers, and I value the importance of strengthening connection within families. I believe that healing happens in relationship, and I work collaboratively with my clients to foster emotional safety, resilience, and authentic self-expression.

My clinical approach is attachment-based, relationally oriented, and humanistic. I integrate mindfulness, play therapy, art therapy, and infant/child-parent psychotherapy into my work. I recognize that healing often happens beyond words, through connection, creativity, and embodied experience. I also bring a gentle awareness of the mind-body connection, and support you in tuning into your inner experience to develop a deeper sense of presence and self-trust.

I provide neurodiversity-affirming care, and work with clients of all ages who identify as neurodivergent. I support you in understanding your nervous system, reducing the impact of masking, and building your live in a way that honors your natural rhythms and needs. I also recognize that the process of self-acceptance can bring up grief, such as grief for missed support, past misunderstandings, or the ways one may have had to adapt to fit in, and I hold space for that process with care and compassion.

My clinical lens is also informed by the broader systems that shape our lives. I acknowledge that each person’s experience, no matter their age, is influenced by cultural context, family systems, and the intergenerational patterns of both wisdom and possible burden. I will work with you or your child to gently explore how these layers can impact your sense of self and your relationships, honoring the uniqueness of your story.

I work with clients in navigating emotional overwhelm, relational challenges, life transitions, and difficulties with regulation or connection. I tailor my approach to each individual and family, honoring your unique story, cultural context, and inner strengths.

I strive to create a therapeutic environment that is grounded, culturally sensitive, and affirming, where you can explore, grow, and reconnect with yourself and with the ones you care for.

About Me

I am a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC #22293), supervised by TheraThrive’s Clinical Director, Katie Malone, LPCC, LMFT. I also have a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology – Community Mental Health, from the California Institute of Integral Studies, in San Francisco, California.