Welcome to CAYA Therapies

Fundamentals of Our Practice

Overall, we aim for more success, with less stress - and we believe these four fundamentals get us there, across all our disciplines and services. We could go on and on about each of these, but for simplicity’s sake, here’s a snapshot into each:

  • Our sensory system is the part of our nervous system that takes in input from the world around us (and from within us!) to help us understand the world and organize our actions and responses. We believe the integration of these systems is at the root of brain, body, and behavioral development. We use the lens of sensory integration to support the body and empower people to feel more safe and successful in the world around us.

    It’s a complicated topic, that sometimes gets oversimplified (by buzzwords, memes, and attempts to make it more understandable). We can’t promise it will be simple or clearcut, but we think the complexity is what makes sensory integration so powerful - and we will do our best to help each person understand and support their own unique sensory system.

  • Connection is always our starting point here at CAYA, and relationships are at the heart of all we do.  Our treatment approaches are skillfully informed by several research-backed theories, including DIR/Floortime, interpersonal neurobiology, TheraPlay, DDP, etc. We use these tools to build safe and trusting therapeutic relationships that help anchor us in an unpredictable, sometimes unfriendly, world - and when we find that connection, whether through a shared interest or moment of playfulness, we’re building skills and strengthening capacities for more authentic and meaningful relationships outside of our clinic’s walls.

  • Research is clear: chronic stress and trauma impact a person’s body and brain, on a neurophysiological level. We also know that when someone is overwhelmed, it’s harder to listen, cope, and feel safe. Many of our people live in states of overwhelm or discomfort daily, especially if they’re neurodivergent, struggling with sensory processing, living in foster care, or have histories of other trauma. It’s because of this that our team is committed to going beyond the buzz word of ‘trauma informed’, and instead using proven strategies that help people feel safe, grounded and supported, so they can access the parts of their brain needed for learning, healing, and meaningful progress. No matter a person’s story, we’re committed to strategies that support the nervous system first and foremost.

  • We believe all people deserve to feel seen, accepted, welcome, and safe. You are accepted, just as you are, within our space. Our approaches are strengths-based and self-reflective, and aim to help you befriend your uniqueness, rather than work towards conforming or ‘fixing’ things.  Let’s work together towards more self-awareness, self-worth, and self-advocacy.

Now, let us share the real heart behind what we do and why we exist. CAYA wasn’t started to just be another clinic; we’re here on mission to love and serve others well. Here’s what guides us and sets us apart:

  • To empower belonging and purpose for every part of every person.

  • For individuals, families, and systems to understand behaviors and functional difficulties from a lens of empathy and developmental understanding, to improve acceptance and abilities of youth across a variety of settings, with a variety of people. 

    To create a safe space of welcomed acceptance, so healing and skill building can be done at the most foundational parts of our being. 

    To build people up, from a neurodevelopmental, trauma-responsive approach, through fun, meaningful activities designed for each individual.

    To help people make sense of what they’re seeing and experiencing in their everyday life, by providing education about the brain and the body and how it responds to stress.

  • At CAYA Therapies, every employee will:

    • Empower Connection. In the therapeutic relationship, caregiving relationships, and beyond.

    • Promote Acceptance. Within yourself and others.

    • Strive for Understanding. Beyond our own perspective.

    • Be life-long learners. Professionally and personally.

    • Culturally Reflect. Professionally and personally.

    • Collaborate. In problem solving, treatment, and beyond. 

    • Communicate. With each other and the people we serve.

    • Do their best. Not strive for perfection.