(She/Her/Ella)

Dr. Kiara Manosalvas

Founder & Clinical Director

Meet Dr. Kiara

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.

Availability & Insurance

I am currently accepting new individual and couples clients on an out-of-network (OON) basis only. I reserve a small number of spots for Aetna clients seeking individual therapy, and these Aetna slots are currently full. Please note that I do not accept insurance for couples therapy.

Individual Therapy Fee: $300 per 50-minute session

Couples Therapy Fee: $400 per 60-minute session

If using your Aetna benefits is important to your access to care, there may still be a great fit for you at Vida Sana — I'd encourage you to read on.

Meet Amy Herrera Carbajal, Clinical Fellow

Amy Herrera Carbajal is a Clinical Fellow at Vida Sana Psychology & Wellness, currently accepting new clients for both in-person and virtual individual therapy.

Amy accepts Aetna and is directly supervised/mentored by me. Amy’s out of network fee is:

Individual Therapy Fee: $150 per 50-minute session

Sliding scale available for both Dr. Kiara & Amy. Please inquire during your consult call.

Why work with a clinical fellow?

As a Fellow at Vida Sana, Amy receives an exceptional level of support — individual supervision, group supervision, evidence-based trainings and professional development, and ongoing mentorship.

In practice, this means doctoral-level input is part of your care from the start — not something reserved for complicated cases, but a consistent part of how Amy works.

Interested in working with either Dr. Kiara or Amy? Book a consult with Dr. Kiara

Specializations

ADHD, Anxiety, Perfectionism, Burnout, Neurodivergence in Relationships/Couples

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.