Dr. Pamela Kayanan, LPC, LMFT
Experienced Virginia therapist for trauma and addiction
- Anxiety and trauma
- Addiction treatment
About Dr. Pamela Kayanan
Dr. Pamela Kayanan is a Virginia-based licensed mental health counselor with 25 years of clinical experience and a PhD in Counseling and Education. She holds licensure in professional counseling, marriage and family counseling, and addictions, and combines long-standing clinical knowledge with practical strategies to help individuals and families navigate complex challenges.
Her primary clinical focus includes anxiety and depression, particularly when these conditions are linked to trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She has extensive experience treating addictions of many kinds - including substance use, alcohol, prescription medication misuse, exercise addiction, and workaholism - and she works with adults, adolescents, and families affected by these issues. For a quarter century she has supported adolescents, parents, and adults facing dual diagnoses, and she offers specific guidance to parents coping with teen substance use and other risky behaviors.
Dr. Kayanan has also worked with professionals such as physicians, nurses, executives, and law enforcement personnel who struggle with work addiction and its impact on family life. Her work with veterans includes participation in a PTSD program headquartered in Las Vegas called Ponies North. She has treated a range of anxiety presentations, including social anxiety disorder, body dysmorphia, and generalized anxiety disorder.
She is the author of Teenland: A Parent's Guide to Navigating the World of Adolescence, available directly through her. Dr. Kayanan describes therapy as a partnership - offering expertise on change while supporting each person as the expert on their own life.
Her primary clinical focus includes anxiety and depression, particularly when these conditions are linked to trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She has extensive experience treating addictions of many kinds - including substance use, alcohol, prescription medication misuse, exercise addiction, and workaholism - and she works with adults, adolescents, and families affected by these issues. For a quarter century she has supported adolescents, parents, and adults facing dual diagnoses, and she offers specific guidance to parents coping with teen substance use and other risky behaviors.
Dr. Kayanan has also worked with professionals such as physicians, nurses, executives, and law enforcement personnel who struggle with work addiction and its impact on family life. Her work with veterans includes participation in a PTSD program headquartered in Las Vegas called Ponies North. She has treated a range of anxiety presentations, including social anxiety disorder, body dysmorphia, and generalized anxiety disorder.
She is the author of Teenland: A Parent's Guide to Navigating the World of Adolescence, available directly through her. Dr. Kayanan describes therapy as a partnership - offering expertise on change while supporting each person as the expert on their own life.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesIntimacy-related issuesParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemBipolar disorder
Additional Focus Areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAttachment issuesBlended family issuesCaregiver issues and stressCodependencyCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFirst responder issuesVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPostpartum depressionSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobia
Therapeutic Approach
Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Dr. Pamela Kayanan have?
Dr. Pamela Kayanan has 25 years of clinical experience in mental health counseling.
Is Dr. Pamela Kayanan a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds these credentials: LPC, LMFT. License details: VA LPC 0701003183, VA LMFT 0717001073.
In which languages does Dr. Pamela Kayanan provide therapy?
Dr. Pamela Kayanan provides therapy in English.
Where is Dr. Pamela Kayanan located?
Dr. Pamela Kayanan is located in Virginia.
How can I work with Dr. Pamela Kayanan as my therapist?
You can work with Dr. Pamela Kayanan through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Dr. Pamela Kayanan work with international clients?
Yes, Dr. Pamela Kayanan works with international clients.
How much does therapy with Dr. Pamela Kayanan cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care
Dr. Pamela Kayanan draws on client-centered therapy to create a respectful, collaborative space where the client’s own goals and perspectives guide the work. This approach emphasizes empathy, active listening, and supporting a person’s strengths, and it is often helpful for relationship, parenting, and self-esteem concerns.She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns. CBT is commonly used for anxiety, depression, trauma-related symptoms, and many forms of addiction because it offers practical skills for coping and symptom management.
Motivational Interviewing is another approach Dr. Kayanan employs to support readiness for change. This method helps clients explore their own motivations, resolve ambivalence, and set achievable goals, which can be particularly useful in addiction treatment and in supporting behavior change.
Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process, and Dr. Kayanan works collaboratively with clients to determine the best fit based on their needs, goals, and preferences. Licensed professionals tailor methods and pace to each person’s situation.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility: sessions can take place by video call or phone, and shorter interactions are possible through live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity of care across locations, and access support when face-to-face meetings are not feasible.
Ready to start therapy with Dr. Pamela Kayanan?
Take the first step toward a better you.