About Kiersten Kotaka, LMFT
What Sets Me Apart
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Neurodivergent & LGBTQ+ Affirming: I create a welcoming, non-judgmental space where your identity and unique wiring are honored and celebrated.
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Practical Skill Building: Together, we develop tools and routines that fit your life and help reduce overwhelm, build emotional clarity, and increase ease.
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Trauma-Sensitive & Compassionate: I provide gentle, respectful support that prioritizes safety and empowerment at every step. My approach centers on understanding overwhelm as a natural nervous system response—not a personal failing.
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Flexible & Collaborative: Therapy is tailored to your goals and pace—whether you’re juggling work, caregiving, or life transitions. In-person appointments are available in my Corte Madera office in Marin County or via telehealth sessions with anyone located in California.
Therapy is a big step—I get it. That's why I offer a free consultation. It's just a conversation, not a commitment.
Hi, I’m Kiersten Kotaka (she/her), a licensed therapist (LMFT #121908) based in Marin County, CA. I started seeing clients in 2004 and support individuals and families through both everyday challenges and acute moments of crisis.
In 2021, I founded Marin Youth Therapy, (marinyouththerapy.com) a practice offering compassionate, developmentally informed, evidence based care for children and families. I love being a therapist and value the opportunity to share what I’ve learned with the next generation of clinicians. I serve as adjunct faculty at the University of San Francisco, where I teach graduate students Marriage and Family Therapy.
In my therapy practice with adults, I work with people who are managing complex mental health issues, relationship stress, life transitions, grief, or a sense of being stuck or disconnected. I also specialize in supporting individuals through mental health crises and stabilization: whether that’s an acute emotional episode, a traumatic event, or a major life disruption. I’ve provided crisis response and debriefing for schools and community organizations, and I understand how critical it is to feel safe, grounded, and not alone during moments of emotional intensity.
I hold a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and a PPS Credential in School Counseling. My specialized training includes intensive training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), as well as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Interpersonal and Social Rhythm Therapy (IPSRT), crisis response through the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation (ICISF), AutPlay Therapy, and Social Emotional Arts Facilitation.
Whether you’re looking for more emotional stability, going through a difficult time, or trying to find a clearer sense of direction, I offer a supportive space to better understand yourself, work through what you’re experiencing, and move forward with more clarity and intention.
