About katelyn

Katelyn Montalvo

Associate Marriage & Family Therapist

Katelyn Montalvo is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist dedicated to supporting children and families through play, storytelling, and brain-based regulation tools to help them feel safer, calmer, and more connected to one another. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Azusa Pacific University and went on to earn a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary School of Psychology.

Before pursuing her graduate studies, Katelyn spent a decade working in education, where she became intimately aware of the struggles her students faced, particularly those with neurodivergence. Her time as an educator fostered a profound respect for the many ways children communicate, play, and build relationships. During her clinical training at Hillsides in Pasadena, she supported children and families across Residential, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient (IOP) levels of care. These experiences solidified her commitment to helping children navigate emotional and behavioral challenges with empathy, structure, and attuned support.

Katelyn has a special passion for working with children who are going through big changes or disruptions in their relationships, whether due to divorce, family conflict, peer dynamics, trauma, or life transitions. She is skilled in supporting children who exhibit intense emotions or behavioral expressions, viewing them not as misconduct but as adaptive responses to stress or unmet needs. She has experience working with children and adolescents diagnosed with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and related challenges.

Building on her clinical expertise, Katelyn prioritizes inclusive and holistic care. She welcomes opportunities to explore the intersections of identity, gender, and culture, and is committed to providing LGBTQIA+ affirming support. She has a strong interest in working with clients who wish to integrate spirituality or process religious trauma, and she also feels drawn to supporting individuals and families affected by substance use. Family involvement is central to her approach, and she believes that healing accelerates when the system, not just the child, is supported.

Blending structure with creativity, Katelyn seeks to create a nonjudgmental, collaborative space where clients can rewrite their stories, strengthen relationships, and reconnect with their innate resilience.

Outside of her clinical work, Katelyn enjoys hiking, yoga, reading, and spending time with friends.

AMFT #157805

Supervised by Jennifer Lovers, LMFT #49415