About Karla Heredia – Heredia Therapy Group

Hi, I’m Dr. Karla Heredia.

I believe real healing begins with connection. Connection to ourselves, to the people we love, and to the world around us. My work has always been about helping people find and strengthen those connections.

I started my career in mental health, walking alongside individuals, couples, and families as they move through change, loss, and growth.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Doctor of Psychology, I have seen that healing rarely happens in isolation.

It happens when we are seen, understood, and supported through the moments that shape us.

Becoming a BCBA gave me another way to see people. It taught me that behavior always has meaning, and when we take time to understand it, we open the door to real and lasting change.

I started my career in mental health, walking alongside individuals, couples, and families as they move through change, loss, and growth.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Doctor of Psychology, I have seen that healing rarely happens in isolation.

It happens when we are seen, understood, and supported through the moments that shape us.

Becoming a BCBA gave me another way to see people. It taught me that behavior always has meaning, and when we take time to understand it, we open the door to real and lasting change.

Over time, I began noticing how emotional well-being connects to physical health. Stress, sleep, nutrition, and lifestyle all influence how our minds function and how we heal. I find meaning in helping people see those connections, noticing how the brain, gut, body, and behavior are always communicating.

It reminds me that mental health is not just about what we think or feel, but how we live. It is one part of a much bigger picture.

I am also deeply committed to supporting individuals and families impacted by Autism. With more than 18 years of experience in psychotherapy and behavior analysis, I have had the privilege of helping children, teens, and adults build balance, confidence, and growth through life’s challenges.

My approach is rooted in empathy and awareness, understanding that every behavior reflects a need, an emotion, or an experience. Growth happens when we meet those moments with patience, curiosity, and care.

Outside of work

I stay grounded through family, mindfulness, and balance. I value simple moments that bring clarity, connection, and perspective. I also have a deep curiosity about how people around the world approach wellness and community care. Learning about different cultures and their traditions offers constant reminders that healing takes many forms, yet it always comes back to connection.

‘‘Mental health reflects that truth everywhere, shaped by the ways people care for one another and create spaces of understanding. Joy and connection are not separate from healing. They are at the heart of it, reminding me each day why this work matters’’

My Certifications

Certified Autism Specialist CAS172372

IBCCES University

Prepare and Enrich Workshop for Couples

Certified Anger Management Specialist: National Anger Management Specialist (NAMA)

AAMFT Approved Supervisor

Relationship Enhancement: Mastering The Mysteries of Love and Stepfamilies

BCBA 1-22-59808

My Experience

I have worked in schools, autism service centers, universities, and a variety of clinics, including:

The Gary Center: OC Health Care Agency in La Habra

Lestonnac Free Clinic of Orange County in Orange and Los Alamitos

Substance Abuse Counseling Systems (SACS) in Santa Ana

North Orange County Regional Health Foundation (NOCRHF) in Fullerton

Who Do I Work With?

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

I’m particularly passionate about working with individuals, children, and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder.

I have an extensive background in traditional psychotherapy and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a direct interventionist and clinical supervisor.

As a therapist with 18+ years of experience with special needs individuals (ages four and up), my goal is to support you and your loved ones in navigating ASD with a mind-body-emotion approach. Some of the things I can help with include:

Conducting autism assessments
Teaching new skills and enhancing healthy behaviors
Augmenting social abilities and confidence
Training and supporting family members

Couples

I believe all relationships have room to grow. I love to work with couples to improve their relationship quality, enrich their communication, and enhance their dynamics.

I’m trained in various marital and couple programs, such as: Prepare and Enrich, Relationship Enhancement – Mastering the Mysteries of Love and Stepfamilies, and Gottman Level 1.

Whether you are dating, getting ready to marry, married, divorced, or separated, I can support you and your significant other in all stages of your relationship.

What Do I Do?

I offer individual, couples, and family therapy to children and adults from the City of Industry, and anywhere in California (through telehealth).

Anxiety & Depression

Sometimes anxiety and depression symptoms may knock on your door when you least expect it. And when triggered by a medical condition, you may feel like the whole world is on your shoulders. But you are not alone.

I specifically have experience working with individuals diagnosed with depression and anxiety due to different medical illnesses, such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and autoimmune diseases.

If you suffer from unhealthy anxiety, I can help you:

Break the cycle of avoidance
Reclaim self-trust
Improve social and interpersonal skills

And if you are experiencing depression, I can support you to:

Be aware of your thoughts and feelings
Encourage self-compassion
Regain purpose and energy