As founder and CEO of Child Therapy Center (CTC), Kendra Delahooke MFT ’16, LMFT, is transforming how children and families think about and experience mental health care. Emphasizing neuroscience and a trauma-informed lens, she helps children build resilience while equipping parents with tools to support their kids’ continued growth.
Delahooke’s journey into psychology began with her deep curiosity for human behavior and familial relationships. As Delahooke explored psychology, she became particularly interested in family therapy. “I started reading family therapy books nonstop,” said Delahooke. “That’s when I knew I wanted to go back to school.” Having completed her bachelor’s in psychology at Seattle Pacific University, Delahooke chose to pursue her master’s in clinical psychology at Azusa Pacific University, gaining the knowledge and skills she needed to build CTC.
During her time at APU, Delahooke enjoyed diving deep into topics like family systems alongside her cohort mates. “The relationships I built with my cohort made me even more excited about pursuing psychology,” said Delahooke. “Learning family systems was also a game-changer for me.” APU’s emphasis on relationships and faith integration helped Delahooke shape her approach to therapy and her leadership philosophy. “I don’t think there is separation between spirituality and psychology,” said Delahooke. “They share many of the same threads.” Delahooke carries those values into CTC, where she strives to create a culture centered on compassion and growth.
As Delahooke continued to grow in the field of psychology, she became increasingly aware of the gaps in children’s mental health services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, those needs became even more apparent. “COVID showed me how few therapists truly specialized in children and teenagers,” said Delahooke. At the same time, she noticed how many therapy models focused primarily on the child and overlooked the important role parents play in the healing process. “I saw so many child therapy places excluding the parents,” said Delahooke. “That’s why parent involvement has become such a major part of our model.”
Driven by the desire to address those challenges, Delahooke envisioned a new approach to children’s care. “I had a dream to open beautiful centers dedicated to children aged 2-18,” she said. That vision became CTC. With the help of LALA Reimagined, Delahooke transformed CTC into an aesthetically pleasing, fun space where children can thrive. The intentional design reflects Delahooke’s belief that healing begins not only through therapy but also through creating spaces where children feel seen, comfortable, and encouraged to grow.
Delahooke emphasizes the connection between a child’s nervous system, emotional development, and relationships. Parents are integrated into the therapy process, creating opportunities for healing that extend beyond sessions. “We focus heavily on the nervous system of the child and use it as part of the healing process,” Delahooke said. Her approach has resonated with families and has contributed significantly to the business’ growth. “I am really proud of the training we provide clinicians,” said Delahooke. “That factor alone has helped us grow tremendously.”
Building a successful business required Delahooke to develop skills beyond therapy
practices. While her time at APU emphasized clinical training, she quickly learned
that starting a therapy business involved much more. She discovered the importance
of learning marketing, networking, and business strategy as CTC grew. “Something that
fuels me equally to psychology is business development,” said Delahooke. She believes
that business skills are essential for helping organizations expand their reach and
serve more people.
The heart of Delahooke’s work is a belief that early intervention can have a monumental impact. Drawing from her time in the field and personal understanding, Delahooke is committed to helping children receive the support they need as early as possible. “When we intervene early, we can completely change the trajectory of their lives,” Delahooke said. “That is why this work matters so much to me.”
Looking ahead, Delahooke hopes to expand Child Therapy Center into major cities across the U.S. “The end goal is to strengthen the parent-child relationship,” Delahooke said. Whether that is through mentoring clinicians, supporting families, or growing her organization, Delahooke focuses on helping children thrive. “People are incredibly resilient,” said Delahooke. “Therapy can save time and suffering.” Ultimately, Delahooke’s mission is rooted in the hope and belief that healing is possible.