Therapy in Pasadena, CA | Counselor Karla Hernández

Motherhood is messy, magical, and maddening—and if you’re in the thick of it in Los Angeles, you're not alone. At Alma de Madre, we offer compassionate perinatal and postpartum therapy for women navigating the exhaustion, identity shifts, and silent struggles that often come with becoming a mom. Whether you're healing from a traumatic birth, grieving a loss, or just trying to stay afloat in the chaos of new motherhood, we’re here to remind you: you matter too.

How it works

01

Book a consultation call

I offer therapy that’s real, honest, and centered on what you’re actually going through, not the filtered version of motherhood we’re fed online. There’s no pressure to “enjoy every moment” here. Just a space to fall apart, reflect, and slowly put yourself back together again.

02

Let’s meet where you are

Whether you're in pajamas or haven’t showered in days, you're welcome here. I offer virtual sessions to meet you in your reality, no commute, no pressure, no perfection needed.

03

Start healing and thriving in your motherhood

I won’t ask you to “bounce back.” I’ll help you move forward with compassion, clarity, and space to feel whatever’s showing up. You deserve to heal, to rest, and to remember that you're a whole person, not just a mother.

Explore our therapy services and specializations

  • Perinatal and postpartum therapy

    Whether you're pregnant or recently gave birth, you're likely riding an emotional rollercoaster. In our Pasadena sessions, we create a safe space to process expectations, identity shifts, and body image changes so you can move through this season with more support and clarity.

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  • Postpartum depression

    Postpartum depression can feel like you're underwater while the world expects you to swim. If you're feeling numb, irritable, or disconnected from your baby, you're not alone. Together, we explore the root of your pain and find small steps forward that feel doable.

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  • Pregnancy therapy

    Pregnancy isn’t always glowing skin and baby kicks. It can also bring up anxiety, grief, and uncertainty especially if it's following loss or a hard journey to conceive. Therapy during pregnancy helps you feel more emotionally equipped and connected to your experience.

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  • Postpartum anxiety

    Are you constantly checking if your baby is breathing? Feeling like you can never fully relax? Postpartum anxiety often hides behind high-functioning behavior. In therapy, we get curious about these patterns and work on creating safety in your nervous system.

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  • Postpartum PTSD

    If you experienced a traumatic birth or a medical emergency, you might be dealing with flashbacks, guilt, or a sense that your story was erased. Postpartum PTSD is real, and therapy gives you a space to reprocess your experience and reclaim your narrative.

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  • Birth trauma

    Maybe your birth plan was ignored, or things escalated quickly in the delivery room. Birth trauma can leave emotional wounds that deserve care. Therapy can help you make meaning of your story and reduce the emotional charge it holds over you.

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  • Pregnancy loss therapy

    Grieving a miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion is often a silent pain. In our Pasadena-focused sessions, I offer space for your grief, your anger, your confusion without rushing your healing process. You're allowed to honor what was lost in your own way.

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I serve women in Pasadena and surrounding areas

My therapy practice is rooted in cultural humility and emotional honesty. While I’m based in California, I work virtually with clients across the Pasadena area, including Altadena, Eagle Rock, Highland Park, and San Marino. Whether you're relaxing in the Huntington Gardens or trying to manage nap time at home, support is just a click away.

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

Hello I’m Karla Michele Hernández, postpartum therapist in Pasadena, CA

Navigating the emotional ups and downs of motherhood isn’t easy especially when you’re dealing with postpartum depression, anxiety, or feeling like you’ve lost yourself along the way. In my work with women in Pasadena, I offer a safe space to process all of it: the grief, the guilt, the exhaustion, and the beauty that coexists. My approach blends trauma-informed care with honest, compassionate support so you can feel more grounded and less alone as you move through this powerful chapter of life.

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