Hi! I’m Kayla Festa, MFTC.
I’m a relationship and couples therapist who helps individuals and couples move out of patterns of disconnection, withdrawal, and conflict into clearer communication and deeper emotional connection.
I believe that the quality of our relationships - both with ourselves and others - is central to living a fulfilling life.
Relationship & Couples Therapist in Arvada, CO
About me
I was born and raised in a small town on the East Coast. After college, I spent over a decade working as an organizational psychologist and human resources professional in New York City. That chapter taught me a great deal about people, systems, and high-pressure environments. It also led me into burnout - a turning point that pushed me to reconsider how I wanted to live and how I related to myself and others.
In 2019, I moved to Colorado and began the process of redefining success, reconnecting with my values, and building a life that felt more balanced and authentic. During this time, I also began my Couples and Family Therapy program and threw myself in studying relationships. I wish I could say it was a single “aha” moment that created lasting change, but the truth is more nuanced. My high-achieving and self-abandoning patterns followed me, eventually leading me back into burnout - this time alongside a chronic illness. The difference now is that I have the tools, awareness, and support to find my way back to steadiness and to cultivate peace along the way.
This experience shapes my work as a relationship and couples therapist. I believe growth doesn’t come from “fixing” ourselves, but from understanding the patterns we’re caught in and learning how to relate to them differently. You may have heard the “Two Mountains” metaphor, which captures the kind of therapeutic relationship I aim to create. You and I are each climbing our own mountain - your path is uniquely yours, with its own challenges and terrain, while I climb mine alongside you. From my vantage point, I may be able to see obstacles or alternate paths that aren’t yet visible to you. My role is not to lead or direct, but to walk alongside you as a collaborative guide, an empathic witness, and a thoughtful process consultant.
I don’t have it all figured out, but I am committed to the climb - both figuratively and literally. Outside of the therapy room, rock climbing and time in nature anchor me. They help me stay grounded, present, and connected to my body, which in turn allows me to bring a steady, calm presence into my work and my relationships. I’m childfree, unless you ask my pets. My home (and heart) is full of animals, plants, books, and a love for vintage decor.
My approach as a couples therapist in Arvada, CO
My style is direct, grounded, and emotionally focused. I won’t just sit back and nod. I’ll help you slow things down in the moment, get clear on what you’re feeling and needing, say it in a way your partner can actually hear, respond differently when it matters most.
I use a blend of evidence-based modalities to help clients understand themselves and improve their relationships. This includes:
Internal Family Systems (IFS) to explore and integrate different parts of the self
Relational Life Therapy (RLT) to address reactive patterns in relationships
Attachment-informed approaches, including Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to build secure connections
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the Unified Protocol to develop emotional flexibility, mindfulness, and practical coping skills
Motivational Interviewing (MI) to build motivation for change
Together, these approaches create a personalized path for insight, growth, and lasting change.
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) is a therapeutic approach that helps you understand and work with the different “parts” of yourself - those inner voices, feelings, and patterns that often conflict or create stress. By recognizing, understanding, and integrating these parts, you can heal past wounds, reduce inner conflict, and develop a stronger sense of self.
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Relational Life Therapy (RLT), developed by Terry Real, helps individuals and couples break reactive patterns and develop empathy, accountability, and authentic connection. RLT focuses on balancing strength and vulnerability, repairing relational ruptures, and learning practical skills to communicate and respond more effectively.
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Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) is a research-based approach for couples and individuals that helps identify and understand emotional patterns driving conflict or disconnection. By focusing on attachment needs and emotional responses, EFT helps create deeper connection, trust, and lasting change in relationships.
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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps you increase psychological flexibility by teaching mindfulness, acceptance of difficult emotions, and values-based action. Rather than trying to eliminate stress or uncomfortable feelings, ACT focuses on living a meaningful life aligned with what truly matters to you.
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The Unified Protocol is a structured, evidence-based therapy for managing intense emotions like anxiety, depression, and anger. It teaches practical skills for identifying, understanding, and changing emotional patterns, helping you respond to challenges more effectively and build long-term resilience.
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Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a collaborative, goal-focused approach that helps you explore and strengthen your motivation for change. It’s particularly effective for substance use, behavioral changes, or any area where ambivalence makes progress difficult. MI emphasizes support, curiosity, and empowerment rather than pressure or judgment.
My credentials as a couples therapist in Arvada, CO
Licensure
Marriage and Family Therapy Candidate (MFTC) licensed by the State of Colorado - MFTC.0014635
Education
M.A., Couple and Family Therapy - University at Colorado Denver
M.S., Industrial/Organizational Psychology - Baruch College, City University of New York
B.S., Business Administration; Human Resources, International Business - University at Buffalo, State University of New York
Certifications
Core Skills in Emotionally Focused Therapy - ICEEFT (48 hrs of training designed to deepen mastery in using EFT with couples)
Externship in Emotionally Focused Therapy - ICEEFT (24 hrs of training focusing on the science of attachment and the systematic approach to couple therapy)
Associate Certified Coach - International Coaching Federation (ICF) (60 hrs of training + 100 hours of coaching experience + evaluation)
Executive Function Coach Level 1 - Connections in Mind CiC (8 week program focused on supporting clients with ADHD, ASD and executive function challenges)
Certified Addiction Counselor (CAC) course requirements in progress - Odyssey Training Center
Additional Trainings
Level 1 - Relational Life Therapy
Working with Men - Relational Life Therapy
Internal Family Systems Immersion - PESI
Mastering Internal Family Systems - PESI
Therapy services
THERAPY FOR COUPLES
Stuck in the same conflicts, feeling unheard and more like roommates than partners? Ready to break those patterns, communicate more effectively and reconnect? Reach out today to get started.
THERAPY FOR MEN
Feeling stressed, shut down or stuck in your head? Struggling with your relationship or at work? Therapy for men can help you gain the skills you need to show up confidently and effectively.
THERAPY FOR EMOTIONAL OVERWHELM
Stress and overwhelm can lead us to overthinking, overreacting, or shutting down completely. Find emotional clarity through mindfulness and regulation.
THERAPY FOR BEHAVIOR CHANGE
Are your habits beginning to worry you or the people who care about you? When you are reaching for substances beyond casual use, it may be time to talk with someone.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Finding the right therapist is about connection and trust. Look for someone who listens without judgment, explains their approach clearly, and helps you feel understood. It’s also important that their experience aligns with your needs.
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The best way to know is to give it a try! A free consultation or first session is an opportunity to see how we connect, how comfortable you feel, and whether the approach resonates. Therapy works best when you feel safe, supported, and challenged in the right way.
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I bring a systemic perspective to therapy, grounded in my training in couples and family therapy. This means I look at patterns in relationships and family dynamics, not just individual behaviors, helping you understand how you fit into larger relational systems. I also integrate evidence-based methods, so while we explore patterns and emotional experiences, we also focus on practical strategies to create meaningful, lasting change.
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I became a relationship and couples therapist because I wanted to help people navigate life’s challenges in a way that is authentic and transformative. My own experiences with stress, relationships, and personal growth showed me the power of therapy, not just to survive, but to thrive and live more intentionally. I aim to bring that same insight and care to every client I work with.
