Hey, I’M KAYLA PORTER
– and I believe your symptoms are not in your head.
I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist with advanced training in EMDR therapy. I specialize in working with individuals and couples navigating transitions, trauma, relationship challenges, and the desire for more authentic connection — with themselves and others. My work is heart-centered and collaborative; I view you as the expert in your own life, and I walk beside you as a compassionate guide, helping you reconnect with your own strength, clarity, and inner wisdom.
YOU CAN HEAL
\\
YOU CAN HEAL \\
On the outside, I looked like I had it all together — but inside, I felt like I was barely holding on.
I showed up for everyone else, worked hard, and kept smiling. But beneath the surface, I carried stress, anxiety, and a quiet disconnection with myself. Behind the polished surface, I was struggling with:
Anxiety that never seemed to quiet down
A constant pressure to be “enough” for everyone else
Disconnection from my own needs and boundaries
Exhaustion from holding it all together
Relationships that felt strained no matter how hard I tried
These experiences taught me that real healing doesn’t come from holding it all together on the outside — it begins within, and it deepens through authentic connection with yourselves and others.
For years, I leaned on talk therapy — both as a therapist and as a client. While it offered insight and support, I often found myself (and those I worked with) circling the same struggles without real movement.
Everything began to shift when I was introduced to EMDR.
In just three months, I accomplished more healing than I had in two years of traditional talk therapy. Old wounds that felt stuck finally began to loosen. I was able to release the weight of the past in a way that talking alone had never touched.
That experience changed everything. Not only did I begin facilitating EMDR for my own clients, but I also discovered the importance of pairing it with self-compassion — learning to meet oneself with gentleness instead of judgement.
Now, Sacred Roots Wellness is built from that personal and professional journey:
Moving beyond surface-level “fixes” into deep, sustainable healing
Releasing the weight of past wounds through EMDR
Strengthening resilience with self-compassion
Helping individuals and couples show up more authentically in their lives and relationships
I don’t just believe in the work I offer — I’ve lived it. And it’s why I’m so passionate about walking alongside others as they find freedom, wholeness, and connection within themselves and their relationships.
This is why I do what I do!
As a therapist, I believe healing begins with being truly seen and deeply heard. I create a space where you can safely explore your inner world — your hopes, hurts, patterns, and potential — without fear of judgement. My approach blends clinical skill with intuitive presence, grounded in evidence-based practices and enriched by holistic perspectives.
I do believe in:
Root cause healing over symptom management
Body wisdom over external rules
Nervous system regulation as the foundation of gut health
Food freedom over restriction
Your lived experience over "normal" lab values
Sustainable practices that fit your real life
I don’t believe in:
One-size-fits-all protocols
Elimination diets as a long-term solution
Ignoring the emotional component of healing
Making you choose between health and happiness
Telling you your symptoms are "just stress"
Education + Training
Degrees
B.A. Major in Exercise and Sport Science and Major in Psychology | Western State Colorado University - 2014
M.A. Marriage and Family Therapy | Northcentral University - 2019
States of Practice + Licensure
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist 2022044898 in Missouri
Certifications
Certified Reciprocal Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CRADC)
Training
Gottman Level 1 - Advanced Training | Gottman Institute
EMDR - Advanced Training | EMDRIA
Ready to finally get the answers you deserve?
Whether you’re feeling stuck, seeking deeper self-understanding, or ready to grow through what you’ve gone through — I’m here to support your journey. Healing is possible, and you don’t have to walk the path alone.
The Podcast
Coming Soon
YouTube Channel
Coming Soon
