Kayla L. Stanke, M.A. Associate Clinician

As Clearview’s trauma and dissociative disorders specialist, I work with children, adolescents, and adults who feel caught in cycles of panic, fear, dissociation, and overwhelming internal experiences. My focus is on PTSD, trauma-related symptoms, and nervous-system-driven symptom patterns (such as dissociation and being stuck in fight-or-flight) that often overlap with OCD, anxiety, and ADHD.
In addition to trauma-based disorders, I specialize in panic attacks, dissociation, specific phobias, and anxiety disorders. Much of my work centers on helping people whose minds and bodies feel like they’re constantly in “alarm mode.” I draw from CBT, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Written Exposure Therapy (WET Protocol), and DBT, with a strong focus on practical skills for calming the body, staying grounded, and responding differently to fear-driven reactions.

At Clearview, I work within a specialty treatment model that includes ERP, ACT, and Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT), supporting clients whose anxiety, obsessions, and trauma symptoms overlap—especially when panic, hypervigilance, and dissociation are part of the picture. My aim is to help clients learn to trust what they can directly observe and experience, rather than getting trapped in imagined scenarios that are not aligned with what is actually happening in the moment.

When life feels dominated by fear, past experiences, or constant “what if” thinking, effective therapy should focus on helping you return to the present, regain internal stability, and feel more in control of your mind and body. My experience as a biracial Asian American shapes my perspective on the role of culture in identity, values, and belonging. My goal is to help you get grounded again, make sense of what you’ve been through, and move forward with clarity and confidence. Take the next brave step and reach out for support. Together, we can bring you back into the present and start moving toward a future that feels more hopeful and more yours.

Interests and hobbies:

I enjoy slowing down and spending time with my dog (a big, white, fluffy Samoyed), and taking walks in my neighborhood or in one of Massachusetts’ many conservation areas. My favorite is Rock Meadow for the beautiful wooded areas, meadows, and sheep. I love baking, tending to my indoor garden, growing herbs and different varieties of tomatoes on my patio. I also delight in finding simple joy in creative crafts like sewing and needle felting. I value the process of exploring new ways to enrich life, and I’m excited to support you in finding what will enrich yours as well.