Mikolaya (Kaya) greatly enjoys her work as a psychotherapist. Kaya has worked in several college counseling centers since 2000. She has helped students address emotional, academic, and relational struggles while maintaining school, work, and family responsibilities. Kaya joined Denville Family Counseling in 2008 and provides counseling to adult and adolescent clients.
Kaya specializes in working with young adults. She is well-versed in how mental health symptoms can disrupt a young person’s life, and works to support the youth and their family during this time. Kaya also frequently works with women on relationship and parenting concerns, as well as anxiety and depression. In addition, she provides career assessment and counseling for those seeking a new career direction.
While combining strength-based and solution-focused perspectives, Kaya balances exploring each client’s past with a movement towards emotional wellness. She offers tools for clients to manage distressing thoughts and feelings, which she draws from mindfulness, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and art therapy. She has seen many clients make remarkable changes and choices.
Kaya earned a Master of Education and a Master of Arts degree in Psychological Counseling from Teacher’s College, Columbia University. She completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Psychological Studies at New York University. Kaya received extensive training in Relational Life Therapy under the renowned therapist Terry Real. She also is a New Jersey Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor.
In addition, Kaya had taught undergraduate classes. She is a certified Mental Health First Aid instructor, offering both youth and adult courses. Kaya also teaches QPR, a suicide prevention gatekeeper training. She is passionate about sharing these impactful programs with schools, businesses and communities, as she believes that the skills learned in these courses are critical to our mental health. Kaya can be reached directly at: 973-306-0662.
