Shaya Aguilar, MA
Advanced Clinical Therapist
626-263-7528/Ex 15
Office Location: Pasadena and Teletherapy
Services Offered: Individual therapy, couples therapy.
Ages: Children, Teens, Emerging Adults and Adults
Teens, young adults, couples, college students, athletes, ADHD and learning disorders, performance pressures, anxiety, attachment issues, relational challenges.
Maybe something feels a little off. You’re showing up, doing the things, keeping it together, but underneath, you feel an ache you can’t quite name. You might be noticing patterns in your relationships that leave you feeling stuck or disconnected. Perhaps a part of your identity that once felt steady no longer fits in the same way. You may be wondering if therapy is for you. If you’re feeling some hesitation, that’s okay. Therapy doesn’t require you to have it all figured out. It simply asks you to show up with whatever you’re carrying.
I work with adolescents, adults, and couples who find themselves in seasons of transition, loss, or uncertainty. Some of you may be navigating quiet internal questions about identity, belonging, or direction. Others are moving through grief, grief of who you were, who you thought you’d be, or what once felt certain. Whether you’re feeling the weight of responsibility, a sense of pressure to hold it all together, uncertainty about your abilities, or disconnection in the relationships that matter most, you don’t need to feel entirely ready to begin this work, just a sense that something inside of you is asking to be understood.
My approach to therapy is relational. I believe that the therapy space can be a powerful container for growth, where your inner world is explored with curiosity, compassion, and care. I hold a deep respect for the ways our early relationships shape us, and I work to create a new relational experience in the room: one where you are seen, heard, and know that you are not alone. I hope to accompany clients through the ache: those quiet, tender places of longing, loss, or uncertainty. Such that, together we can begin to make sense of what hurts and move toward healing.
Cultural humility is central to how I show up as a clinician. I strive to meet you where you are, honoring your lived experience, your values, and your story. Whether you come from a specific cultural background, faith tradition, or are deconstructing your beliefs about the communities that formed you, you are welcome here. I often think of growth through the lens of running: you have to start slow, it can be uncomfortable, it’s embodied, and it’s often more meaningful when you have company for the long run ahead. Likewise, it takes time, trust, and emotionally corrective relationships to shift how we are showing up in the world. If you’re feeling even a quiet tug toward something more whole or more honest, I would be honored to walk alongside you in that process.
About Shaya
Shaya earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Hispanic Studies from Pepperdine University. She also holds a Master of Science in Ministry and brings a background in mentoring and supporting student leaders and athletes. She holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology and currently works under the supervision of Dr. Brett Veltman (PSY 21684).
She is passionate about walking alongside individuals as they navigate life’s challenges and transitions. Shaya is particularly interested in working with young adults, individuals exploring questions of identity, and couples experiencing relational or emotional difficulties.
Outside the therapy room, she enjoys all things outdoors: hiking, biking, camping, and running, and she values quality time with loved ones, especially when shared over a home-cooked meal.