My Story

A woman sitting on a red velvet sofa, smiling. She has long brown hair, wears a patterned colorful jacket, light blue jeans, and jewelry. The room has a beige wall with framed artwork and a wooden shelf with books.

Hi there! My name is Dr. Kiara Manosalvas, and I’m the founder and clinical director of Vida Sana Psychology & Wellness.

I know that meeting a therapist for the first time can feel intimidating, so I want to share a little about who I am and what brought me to this work.

I am an Ecuadorian-Puerto Rican-American woman, a first-generation college student, and someone with working-class roots. I share that not because therapy is about me, but because my experiences have taught me that for some clients, it matters to sit across from someone who understands what it feels like to navigate multiple worlds at once, to carry family expectations, or to feel unseen in spaces not built for you.

Like many of my clients, I grew up learning what it meant to carry strength for my family while also finding my own voice. As the eldest daughter, I often felt the responsibility to be “the strong one,” even when I was struggling on the inside. My relationship with my grandmother (or mamí, as I called her) taught me something different—that true strength comes from connection, tenderness, and allowing ourselves to be cared for, not just to care for others. Those lessons are at the heart of the work I do today.

I also know firsthand how stigma and silence can keep people from reaching out for support, and how hard it can be to find a therapist who shares your cultural values or lived experience. Those gaps motivated me to become a psychologist and to create spaces where Latinx, BIPOC, and marginalized communities feel seen, affirmed, and empowered in their healing.

I became the therapist I once needed: someone who could hold space for complexity, honor culture and identity, and believe in people’s capacity to heal even when they can’t see it themselves. My hope is that at Vida Sana, you’ll find not only a therapist, but a community dedicated to walking with you on your journey.

she/her/ella

Dr. Kiara

My Approach to Therapy

Therapy for Ambitious Women & High Achievers in NYC

I provide a safe, collaborative space where we can explore patterns that no longer serve you, heal from past experiences, and build healthier ways of relating to yourself and others.

Evidence-Based Therapy Approaches in New York

My clinical approach combines relational psychodynamic therapy with evidence-based modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This integrative approach helps clients find relief from anxiety, chronic stress, and burnout while addressing the root causes of emotional patterns.

For couples therapy in NYC, I specialize in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), helping partners transform conflict into deeper connection, repair relationship ruptures, and build secure attachment.

Specializations: Anxiety, Perfectionism, Burnout & Women's Issues

I specialize in working with ambitious women, high achievers, and marginalized communities who experience:

  • Anxiety and chronic stress

  • Perfectionism and imposter syndrome

  • Burnout and emotional exhaustion

  • Disconnection from purpose despite outward success

  • Cycles of shame and self-criticism

Many clients come to therapy feeling stuck in patterns of overachieving while feeling unfulfilled. Together, we create space to break these cycles and reconnect with what matters most.

Warm, Direct Therapy Style

My therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and direct. I believe real change happens in a relationship built on emotional safety—where you feel comfortable being honest, taking risks, and exploring hidden parts of yourself. I bring authenticity and appropriate humor into sessions to help clients feel genuinely at ease.

You can expect deep listening, thoughtful questions, and compassionate challenges that support your growth. My goal is that you feel truly seen, understood, and supported throughout our work together.

My Credentials

  • Licensed Psychologist

  • Faculty Member & Coordinator of Bilingual Latiné Mental Health Concentration - Teachers College, Columbia University

  • License Number: 026-844

  • PhD in Counseling Psychology - Teachers College, Columbia University

  • Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling - Boston College

  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - University of Maryland, Honors College