Therapy in Brea, CA | Counselor Karla Hernández
If you are a mother in Brea who looks like she has it all together from the outside and feels like she is unraveling on the inside, I want you to know that you found the right place. I am Karla Hernandez, a perinatal and postpartum therapist, and I work with mothers navigating the anxiety, exhaustion, identity shifts, and emotional weight that come before, during, and after birth. No matter where you are in that journey, you deserve support that is honest, warm, and without judgment.Brea is a well-resourced community in the heart of north Orange County, home to families in neighborhoods from the historic Downtown corridor and the Birch Street Promenade area to the newer developments of Carbon Canyon and the quieter streets near Brea Dam Recreation Area.
It is a city with strong schools, strong community investment, and strong expectations, and sometimes those expectations are exactly what make it hardest to admit that you are not okay. With a median household income above the state average and a highly educated population, Brea mothers often carry a specific kind of pressure, the sense that they have every advantage and therefore no right to struggle. That is not how postpartum works. Struggle is not a failure of resources. It is a human response to one of the hardest transitions a person can go through.
Mothers in Brea come to me when the performance of having it together finally becomes too exhausting to maintain. I offer virtual therapy across California, which means you can access specialized perinatal and postpartum support from wherever you are, whether that is your home near the Brea Mall or your car in the school drop-off line.
How it works
01
Book a consultation call
This isn’t therapy with checklists or pressure to “fix yourself.” I hold space for the version of you that’s hurting, confused, and barely holding it together. Because that version needs care too.
02
Let’s meet where you are
I offer virtual sessions so you don’t have to put on a brave face, get dressed, or fight traffic just to get support. Therapy meets you in your real life not some idealized version of it.
03
Start healing and thriving in your motherhood
There’s no timeline for feeling like yourself again. I help you slow down, get honest, and build a path forward that includes you in the process—not just your role as a mother.
Explore our therapy services and specializations
Perinatal and postpartum therapy
Whether you’re pregnant, newly postpartum, or months into motherhood wondering when it gets easier I’m here to support your emotional and mental health during this life-altering season.
Postpartum depression
Pregnancy therapy
If pregnancy feels more overwhelming than magical—you’re not the only one. I help you process anxiety, fear, and even resentment that can come up during this big transition.
Postpartum anxiety
When your thoughts won’t turn off and your body is always tense, it’s more than “just being a new mom.” I help you manage postpartum anxiety so you can feel grounded again.
Postpartum PTSD
If you're having flashbacks, trouble sleeping, or avoiding parts of your story altogether, you might be dealing with trauma. I help you process your experience in a way that feels safe and empowering.
Birth trauma
Birth doesn’t always go the way we imagined—and even when “everyone says it turned out fine,” your body might be telling a different story. I offer a space to unpack what happened and start healing.
Pregnancy loss
Loss is heavy and complicated. If you’ve experienced miscarriage, stillbirth, or a loss that others don’t understand, you’re allowed to grieve it fully. I’ll hold space for all of it.
Postpartum rage
Feeling like you’re constantly on edge or snapping without meaning to? You're not the only one. Postpartum rage can feel scary and isolating, but therapy can help you feel grounded again. Together, we’ll untangle the emotional buildup, work on nervous system regulation, and help you reconnect with yourself and your family.
I serve women in Brea and surrounding Orange County neighborhoods
I work with moms in Brea, Fullerton, La Habra, Yorba Linda, and across North Orange County who are craving a space to stop pretending and start feeling supported. Whether you're in a quiet cul-de-sac or navigating motherhood without your village nearby, my virtual therapy sessions make it possible to get care from home, with no pressure to show up any certain way.
Testimonials
Karla is a great clinician with years of experience. Her trauma focus highlights every aspect of her work with mothers in perinatal and postnatal work as well as the LatinX community. She deeply cares for her clients growth and is supportive in their healing work. She is a highly skilled and trained clinician mastering the art of using evidence based practices whilst also considering individual perspectives.
Yeniss Paez, LCSW
I’ve had the honor and privilege of working side by side with Karla Hernandez. Getting to know her has been such an honor. She is committed to helping her clients with a nonjudgmental approach, working through trauma of all kinds. Being a birth doula I know how important it is, speaking with someone to improve material outcomes. Karla is key and is committed to helping her clients overcome trauma and grow.
Michelle Wilkerson, Birth and Postpartum Doula
Karla is a compassionate and dedicated maternal mental health therapist. She has worked diligently with clients in all paths of life and thrives particularly working with mothers. If you are looking for a therapist that understands the unique needs women face navigating the postpartum period and beyond, she is your go to resource.
Priscilla Gomez, LCSW
Hi, I’m Karla Michele Hernandez, postpartum therapist in Brea, CA
After becoming a mom myself, I realized how much of motherhood is romanticized and how little support there is for what it actually feels like. That’s why I started Alma de Madre. I work with women who are tired of pretending they’re okay. My job isn’t to fix you it’s to create a space where you can breathe, feel, fall apart, and rebuild at your own pace. You don’t have to go through this alone.
Frequently asked questions
Insurance & Payment Information
I accept Cigna and Aetna insurance.
I also take out of network/self pay at my private pay rate. I currently partner with Mentaya, a service that streamlines getting reimbursed for your therapy session though out of network benefits.
See if you qualify:
https://mentaya.co/checkbenefits/karlahernandez
Payments can be made through credit card and debit card, including FSA and HSA debit cards.
Cancellation Policy
I understand that life happens—especially in motherhood. However, to respect both my time and other clients who may need an appointment, I require at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or rescheduling.
Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the appointment will be subject to the full session fee.
If you miss a session without notice (no-show), you will be responsible for the full cost of the session.
Exceptions may be made in cases of emergencies, but please reach out as soon as possible if you need to reschedule.
If you need to cancel or reschedule, you can do so by contacting me via karla@almademadre.com or my phone number 562-457-0466
Good Faith Estimate
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your healthcare provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call 1-800-985-3059