Hi, I'm Dr. Karla Heredia .
I founded Heredia Therapy Group in 2016 to fulfill my dream of serving my community through outstanding psychological service.
As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (California License #92394) and Chief Clinic Director, I am overjoyed by this opportunity to make such a broad, positive impact in the lives of so many Californian families.
This page is all about helping you learn more about me, what brought me to the field, and how I hope to create change.
This is my story and why I started HTG.
I am a Doctor of Psychology with a Master’s degree in Couple and Family Therapy from Alliant International University and a second Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Loyola Marymount University.
My journey started with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Child Development from Mount St. Mary’s University. Early on, I had the pleasure of working as an educator and behavior interventionist to support students and their families.
I fell in love with psychology, and the opportunity of supporting others when I came across this quote by Mary Davis: “We can’t heal the world today but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, an act of kindness.”
Today, as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, I’m committed to helping couples, families, individuals, and children in their path to healing. *These interventions are not behavioral in nature and are not covered by my BACB certification*
Outside of work, I deeply enjoy spending time with loved ones, everything fitness, and attending all the various theme parks sunny California has to offer.
I founded Heredia Therapy Group with a vision. I wanted to create a place where clinicians from multiple specialties and service domains could come together to provide whole-person care for the community. I wanted to build a space where people of all economic backgrounds, ethnic backgrounds, religions, and more can come to find the healing, support, and care they deserve.
Over the years, that dream has become a reality. We proudly offer a wide range of services: Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment, Psychiatry, Social Skills groups, Psychological Assessments, Speech Therapy, Occupational therapy, and more – all under one roof.
My Certifications
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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
It’s been quite a ride, and I’m thankful for the path that led me here—to build the Heredia Therapy Group along with a talented and diverse team.
Who Do I Work With?
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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
