Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Kochamba.
Hi Kristen, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I grew up here in Los Angeles as a twin, which meant from an early age I was surrounded by this interesting dynamic of sameness and difference — someone who looked just like me but had her own personality, preferences, and path. It really sparked my curiosity about identity: how people come to understand themselves, differentiate, and feel like their own person. I think that curiosity became the foundation of why I was drawn to psychology.
Over time, that interest turned into a career. I went on to earn my doctorate in clinical psychology and trained in evidence-based approaches like CBT, ACT, DBT, and ERP. I was fascinated by how these tools could help people shift from being stuck in cycles of anxiety or self-criticism to living with more awareness, flexibility, and compassion.
After years of clinical training and working in various settings, I decided to build something that reflected the kind of therapy space I always envisioned — modern, grounded, and mindful. That’s how Mindfully You Therapy was born.
I wanted to create a practice where clients could feel both seen and empowered — where we can use science-based methods while keeping the process deeply human and collaborative. My approach is very relational; I see therapy as a space for curiosity, growth, and self-acceptance.
Being from LA (and now working bi-coastally between California and New York) has really shaped my style — I love blending evidence-based psychology with a sense of openness and authenticity. I believe the best work happens when people feel safe enough to be fully themselves, and that’s the kind of energy I try to bring into every session.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like most meaningful paths, it hasn’t been perfectly smooth — but the challenges have really shaped how I practice today. When I was building Mindfully You Therapy, I knew I wanted to create a space that felt different: grounded in solid science and evidence-based methods, but also flexible, creative, and real.
Early in my career, I noticed how many clients felt disconnected from therapy that was too rigid or clinical — it didn’t always translate into their real lives. My doctoral dissertation actually explored that exact question: How do we bridge the gap between research and real-world application? That project became deeply personal to me, and ultimately earned the university’s Outstanding Dissertation Award, which was such an honor because it reflected the heart of my work — making therapy both effective and human.
Of course, bringing that vision to life wasn’t easy. There were moments of self-doubt, financial stress, and the challenge of learning how to run a business while staying true to my clinical values. I had to learn how to balance structure with intuition — how to trust the science but also trust myself.
Today, I’m proud that Mindfully You Therapy embodies that balance. It’s a space where mindfulness and modern behavioral science meet real-life flexibility — where clients can work on meaningful change without losing their sense of authenticity and self.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Mindfully You Therapy is a modern, evidence-based psychology practice designed to help people live with more awareness, authenticity, and self-compassion. We specialize in treating anxiety disorders, OCD, and emotion regulation challenges, using approaches like CBT, DBT, ACT, and ERP — but always through a lens that feels warm, mindful, and human.
What makes the practice unique is the integration: it’s where behavioral science meets mindfulness, and structure meets flexibility. My goal has always been to take the best of evidence-based therapy — the research, the tools, the structure — and pair it with what actually works in real life. It’s about bridging the gap between science and lived experience so that clients can not only understand themselves differently, but also feel that change in their day-to-day lives.
The brand itself — Mindfully You Therapy — reflects that balance. It’s professional but approachable, grounded but growth-oriented. The name was intentional: it’s not about being “perfectly mindful,” it’s about being mindfully you — present, imperfect, and evolving.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is the sense of calm and authenticity the practice evokes. From the logo to the tone of the website to the way sessions feel — it’s all intentionally designed to help people feel grounded and supported from the moment they reach out. I wanted to build something that reflects both the science of psychology and the heart of human connection.
At its core, Mindfully You Therapy is about helping people come home to themselves — with clarity, compassion, and curiosity. It’s for anyone who’s ready to understand their mind, work through what’s getting in the way, and start living with more intention.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people who know me professionally are surprised to learn how much creativity and intuition go into my work. I think when people hear “evidence-based psychologist,” they imagine something very structured or clinical — and while the science is the foundation of everything I do, there’s also an art to therapy that I deeply value.
I’m actually very intuitive and relational in my sessions. I love blending mindfulness, metaphor, and real-world examples — drawing from everyday life, movement, even humor — to make the work feel alive and applicable. I think that’s part of what makes therapy effective: it’s not just about techniques, it’s about connection.
Another fun surprise is that outside of work, I’m really active — I love surfing, golf, and anything that gets me outdoors. That balance between mind and movement is something I bring into my work, too. I talk a lot with clients about grounding through the body, connecting to nature, and learning through lived experience — not just insight.
So while Mindfully You Therapy is rooted in science, it’s also very human — shaped by curiosity, creativity, and real life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mindfullyyoutherapy.com
- Instagram: @mindfullyyoutherapy
