Hidden Gems: Meet Krista Small of Innovative Healing

Today we’d like to introduce you to Krista Small.

Hi Krista, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up, I was always a curious child. I had a deep desire to understand people on a deeper level—to learn why they did the things they did. Looking back, I now recognize that this curiosity stemmed from childhood trauma. What I didn’t realize at the time was that this personal growth would shape my career path.

My early curiosity evolved into a passion for psychology and sociology. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I chose to work for a nonprofit organization teaching marine biology to K-12 students. We would bring tide pool animals to schools, and many children—especially those from LA County—had never seen them before, even though they lived only 15 miles from the beach. This experience sparked a deeper curiosity about social dynamics and the factors that shape people’s lives, further fueling my interest in social work.

I then attended the University of Washington, where I earned my Master’s in Social Work with the goal of becoming an executive director at a nonprofit organization. Ideally, I wanted to work for an organization that supported youth and young adults in need. Once I found my role in the nonprofit sector, I discovered that the most transformative aspect of my work was engaging in conversations with young people. By planting seeds of change and helping shift their mindsets, I aimed to help them grow, all while providing them with critical resources like housing, shelter, and food.

As a Southern California native, I always knew I would eventually return home. It wasn’t until my daughter was born that I realized just how much I missed my community and the support it offered in raising a child. So, my partner, daughter, dogs, and I moved back to the South Bay. There, I quickly realized that my MSW alone wouldn’t be enough to fully pursue my career goals, so I began the journey to becoming a licensed clinical social worker.

I fell in love with providing therapy and have never looked back. After four years of practicing therapy, I opened my own private practice in the South Bay, and it has been the most rewarding experience of my career.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The path to where I am today has certainly not been a straightforward one. Like many others, my journey to a career in mental health has been filled with twists and turns. Early on, I had a vision of what I thought I wanted, but life had a different plan. In the moment, accepting these shifts was difficult, but looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. The struggles and resistance to change have shaped me into the therapist I am today.

In the early stages of my career, working for agencies while holding an associate license was particularly challenging. Low wages, a high volume of clients with complex needs, and the ongoing challenge of finding a work-life balance tested my resilience. During this time, I was fortunate to work alongside supportive program managers, supervisors, and clinical mentors, whose guidance was invaluable in helping me navigate those tough years. I am deeply grateful for their support.

Another significant hurdle was taking the leap to start my own private practice. Like many professionals in this field, I’ve grappled with imposter syndrome. For me, this often manifests in moments of doubt when clients open up in deeply vulnerable ways. In those moments, when they share something they’ve never told anyone else, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. For a time, I wondered whether I was truly worthy of holding that space—whether I was qualified to witness such vulnerability. Thoughts like, “Why me?” and “Why do I get the privilege of being entrusted with this?” would often arise. Though these feelings no longer dominate, when they do surface, I now meet them with kindness and empathy, recognizing them as a part of my growth as a therapist. I hold space for the version of myself who once doubted her ability, and I honor how far I’ve come.

The final challenge I faced was learning to manage work-life balance. While the journey to licensure after earning my master’s degree was grueling, it taught me a critical lesson: in our capitalist society, we are replaceable in our work, but at home, we are irreplaceable. That realization has shaped my approach to both my professional and personal life, reinforcing the importance of prioritizing self-care and relationships outside of my career.

We’ve been impressed with Innovative Healing, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Innovative Healing, we believe in creating a space for personal growth and healing that is as unique as each individual who walks through our doors. The name “Innovative Healing” was a collaborative creation between myself and one of my closest friends, and it represents our commitment to offering something different—something innovative. In the field of mental health, I strive to provide cutting-edge, evidence-based practices while ensuring that every aspect of treatment is tailored to the unique needs and goals of the individual.

As a mental health therapist, I hold myself to the highest standards of law, ethics, and evidence-based practices. I adhere closely to these principles, particularly when it comes to providing clinical advice. While I will only offer personal advice when directly asked by a client, I always lean towards clinical guidance rooted in well-established therapeutic approaches. I firmly believe that as a humanistic therapist, no two clients are alike. There is no “one-size-fits-all” approach in therapy. Instead, I see each person as a unique individual, and I tailor treatment plans to align with their specific needs, goals, and capacity for change. This means meeting clients where they are, starting small to build confidence, and gradually challenging them to take steps toward growth and healing at a pace that feels right for them.

About 90% of my caseload has experienced some form of trauma, which has left them feeling stuck or unable to move forward in their lives. Trauma can deeply impact an individual’s ability to fully engage in life and reach their potential, and I recognize that the process of healing can often feel overwhelming. That’s why I prioritize offering creative and effective methods to help clients through this process. One of the most powerful tools I use is EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). I have found that EMDR is particularly helpful for clients who feel trapped in negative patterns and are struggling to create movement in their lives. What I love about EMDR is that it doesn’t require clients to relive or retell their traumatic stories. For those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or chronic trauma, this can be a significant barrier to seeking therapy. EMDR provides a way to create meaningful change without re-traumatizing individuals by asking them to recount, in detail, painful experiences.

This is the core of what I am most proud of at Innovative Healing—our unwavering commitment to meeting clients exactly where they are, without judgment. Whether clients are seeking traditional or alternative approaches, we explore less mainstream methods that work for them, always with their healing and well-being at the forefront. This personalized, compassionate approach is what makes our practice truly unique.

Another important aspect of Innovative Healing is our trauma-informed environment. Every detail, from the location of our office to the layout and decor, has been intentionally designed to foster a sense of safety and comfort. We understand that for many individuals, simply walking into a therapist’s office can be an intimidating experience. That’s why we’ve created a space that feels welcoming, calm, and conducive to healing.

We also strive to make therapy accessible to as many people as possible. Our practice accepts several insurance plans, including Optum, Aetna, Cigna, and Carelon. Additionally, we offer sliding scale fees to accommodate clients who may not be able to afford the full cost of treatment. I understand that financial concerns can sometimes be a barrier to receiving care, and I want to make sure that people have access to the support they need.

For more information about Innovative Healing, our services, and our approach to therapy, please visit our website or connect with us on Instagram. I am also happy to answer any questions or provide further details via email. At Innovative Healing, we are here to support you on your journey to healing, and we would love to help you find the path that works best for you.

How do you think about luck?
While I hesitate to call it “luck,” I would describe finding my office space as a deeply spiritual experience. Amie House, where I rent my office, has been the perfect setting for my private practice. After opening my practice in February, I realized by the end of April that I was missing out on potential clients who preferred in-person sessions, something I wasn’t offering at the time. This realization led me on a search for a space in the South Bay that was not only within my budget but also felt welcoming and safe from the moment you walked in. I didn’t want the typical office environment; I envisioned something innovative, something different.

I reached out to Amie House, and during the application process, I made the conscious decision to be entirely vulnerable. I chose to present myself authentically, letting go of any masks and sharing my true story. This felt essential, as I needed to find a space where I could be accepted for who I truly am—especially in the place where I would build my business. I had been on a challenging four-year journey, and this office was going to be my anchor, my final resting place for all the hard work and growth I had undergone.

At that time, I was also having vivid dreams about my late Aunt Piper, who passed away in 2019. She, too, was an LCSW and had her own private practice. She had always been a guiding presence in my career, and I felt a strong connection to her during this process. I often found myself thinking of her, and it felt as though her spirit was with me as I navigated this decision.

When the owners of Amie House invited me into the space, I didn’t hesitate. I accepted immediately, feeling that everything about the process was aligned. The move to Amie House in June of 2024 was a turning point for my business. Almost overnight, my clientele tripled, and within just a month and a half of transitioning from a part-time to a full-time private practice, I was fully booked.

Was it luck? Or perhaps a bit of my Aunt Piper’s guidance, or the universe aligning in my favor? Regardless, the journey of becoming a business owner has been an incredibly smooth and rewarding experience.

Pricing:

• 200-80 per 60 minute session, depending on income.
• With insurance, sessions will be the price of clients co-pay.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.innovative-healing.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krista_small_lcsw/
• Other: https://secure.helloalma.com/providers/krista-small/

Image Credits
Nadine Linares
Instagram: @alma_creativa_studio