Kenyai (Kayo) O'Neal

Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #152748)

Hello, I’m Kenyai O’Neal, and I go by Kayo. I am a Board Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT #152748) and provide services under the clinical supervision of Nahomie Guillaume, LMFT (48571), and Kristi Abbott, LCSW (65194).

I earned my Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Sofia University, with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. I also hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater Arts with an emphasis in Musical Theatre from Rockford University.

I work with adults and adolescents ages 13 and older, including individuals, couples, families, and parents. Whether you are an adolescent trying to understand yourself and your place in your family, a parent working to better support your child, a single adult navigating dating, relationships, or identity, or a couple trying to reconnect and work through challenges together, I approach therapy through a relational and family-centered lens. I welcome clients from a wide range of backgrounds, including cisgender and transgender clients, heterosexual and LGBTQIA+ clients, who are seeking support around connection, communication, dating, family dynamics, and relationship patterns. As an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, I pay attention to how family patterns, communication, culture, identity, and relationships shape the way we see ourselves and connect with others. I assist individuals, couples, and families in working through problems together, strengthening communication, and creating healthier patterns of connection.

I’m a proud Black trans woman who has a heart and passion for working with people who identify as LGBTQIA+, neurodivergent, and BIPOC communities. In a world where people and institutions are intentionally trying to misunderstand groups of marginalized individuals, I feel called to lend my ears and voice to support those who need someone like myself.

My past clinical experiences include supporting clients navigating displacement, complex trauma, reentry, and family dynamics. I have developed individualized treatment plans and supported safe and affirming spaces for neurodivergent clients. My clinical work is informed by Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma-informed care, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), Gestalt therapy, and narrative therapy practices.

I see therapy as a supportive space for deep exploration, where we can collaboratively identify the harsh, challenging, and uncomfortable aspects within yourself to foster growth, empowerment, and change.

My approach is centered on establishing a trusting relationship by getting to know how you think, feel, and act; fostering a space where you can explore the topics and concerns you are ready to discuss; and providing care that is specifically tailored to your needs.

I believe that the therapeutic relationship is a vital component of effective therapy, and I am willing to customize care to fit a variety of needs. Outside of the therapy room, I am a creative person who enjoys music, art, and meaningful forms of self-expression. Social justice, authenticity, and community care are important values in my life, and I often bring these values into my work by creating space for clients to feel seen, respected, and supported.

If my approach resonates with you, please reach out to the office or self-register via our website, where we can get you scheduled and begin this journey together. I look forward to walking alongside you as you begin this part of your healing journey.

Specialties

■LGBTQIA+
■BIPOC
■Neurodivergent Specialty