Meet Kiara

We were lucky to catch up with Kiara recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kiara, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

My optimism comes from my lived experience, from the parts of my story that taught me that even in the darkest moments, light can still be found when you choose to see it. I grew up watching the women in my family push through unimaginable challenges with grace, strength, and faith. They did not always have the resources, but they always had resilience and a burning desire to achieve their goals. That’s where my belief in transformation was born, not from what’s easy, but from what’s been overcome.

As a therapist, CEO, and speaker, I have learned that healing isn’t linear, it’s very layered and sacred. My optimism comes from witnessing people rediscover themselves after trauma, couples reconnect after disconnection, and children find safety in love again. Every day, I see proof that change is possible and that keeps me hopeful.

Spiritually, I believe optimism is faith in motion. It is choosing to believe that what’s ahead can be better than what’s been. My faith, my family, and my purpose fuel that mindset. When I look back at how far I’ve come, from a young woman navigating early motherhood to now leading a multi-six-figure practice and helping others heal, I see how every challenge was preparing me for the next level.

Optimism, to me, is not naive positivity. It’s a discipline, a conscious choice to believe that no matter what happens, there is purpose in it. That is the mindset that has carried me through every season of growth, leadership, and love.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m the CEO and Founder of Knew You Psychotherapy, a holistic mental health practice rooted in the belief that healing is possible for everyone, mind, body, and soul. My journey started as a therapist with a deep desire to help others break free from childhood trauma, and it’s grown into a multi-six-figure group practice that serves clients across New York and Florida. What began as a dream from my laptop has become a movement, one that’s redefining what accessible, culturally responsive, and heart-centered therapy looks like.

What excites me most about my work is seeing transformation happen in real time, watching clients who once doubted their worth begin to rebuild trust, rediscover love, and find peace within themselves. I specialize in childhood trauma, couples therapy, and emotional healing, but what truly sets Knew You apart is our approach. We don’t just treat symptoms, we guide people through the process of becoming who they were always meant to be.

As a Latina therapist and leader, I am passionate about breaking generational patterns around silence, shame, and mental health within our communities. Representation matters deeply to me, not just in therapy rooms, but in leadership spaces. I’m proud that KYP is now a Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprise (M/WBE) certified practice, allowing us to expand our reach through school partnerships, community programs, and corporate trainings that center emotional intelligence and trauma-informed leadership.

Outside of the practice, I’m also a speaker, author, and consultant, helping organizations and leaders create emotionally safe spaces where people can thrive. My book, Becoming a Knew You, and my digital products are extensions of that mission, offering tools for self-reflection, communication, and healing.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding our impact through community-based mental health initiatives, leadership consulting, and digital wellness resources, including courses and workshops that help individuals and couples reconnect to themselves and each other. Every step of my journey, from therapist to CEO to speaker, has been about one thing: helping people remember that healing is their birthright.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are self-awareness, faith-driven perseverance, and emotional intelligence.

You see, everything changed when I stopped chasing external validation and started understanding my own patterns, the “why” behind my reactions, decisions, and fears. As a therapist, I’ve seen how awareness becomes the foundation of transformation. Personally, it allowed me to break cycles and build a business that is aligned with who I truly am. My advice for anyone early in their journey is to take time to know yourself, your triggers, your strengths, your purpose. Journal, reflect, and do not be afraid of your truth. You can not lead others if you are disconnected from yourself.

There were so many moments where things did not make sense, where doors closed, clients dropped off, or opportunities fell through. But my faith reminded me that rejection is redirection. Perseverance for me is nor just about pushing forward, it’s about trusting forward. Every “no” led me to a better “yes.” My advice: do not quit when it’s hard. The version of you on the other side of the challenge is the one who is ready for the success you’ve been praying for.

Finally, learning to manage emotions, my own and others’, has been a game changer. Whether it is leading a team, working with clients, or navigating relationships, emotional intelligence is what builds connection, empathy, and influence. The more I understood people, the more effective I became as a leader and therapist. To build this skill, listen more than you speak. Be curious, not judgmental. Learn how to pause before reacting, that pause can save relationships and opportunities.

At the heart of it all, growth requires courage, the courage to be honest with yourself, to get back up when things fall apart, and to believe you are worthy of more. When you combine awareness, faith, and emotional wisdom, you do not just build a business, you build a legacy.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Absolutely ,collaboration is at the heart of everything I do. I believe healing and transformation happen faster when we come together, and I am always looking to partner with people and organizations who share that same mission.

I love collaborating with schools, community organizations, corporations, and foundations that are passionate about mental health, leadership development, and emotional wellness. Whether it’s through workshops, speaking engagements, consulting, or grant-funded programs, my goal is to bring trauma-informed and emotionally intelligent practices into spaces that need them most, especially those serving underserved and multicultural communities.

I also love connecting with other women entrepreneurs, therapists, and purpose-driven leaders who are walking their own paths of healing and impact. There is something powerful about women coming together to exchange ideas, lift each other up, and build wealth with intention.

If you are reading this and feel aligned with my mission, I’d love to hear from you. You can connect with me through my website knewyoupsychotherapy.com, or on Instagram at @mrskiaraluna. Let’s collaborate to create something that changes lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://knewyoupsychotherapy.com/
• Instagram: knewyoupsychotherapy

Image Credits

Photo Cred: @henryknighmedia (IG)