About Us

A clinical practice dedicated to evidence-based
psychological care in Houma, Louisiana
Burns Psychological Services provides individual therapy, counseling, psychological assessments, and mental health evaluations for adolescents and adults in Houma, Louisiana, as well as virtual therapy services across all of Louisiana. We offer evidence-based, personalized mental health care to support emotional well-being, coping, and long-term personal growth.
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Meet the Owner

Dr. Shay Burns, Psy.D.

Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Founder

Dr. Shay Burns leads the practice with a focus on psychological assessment, diagnostic formulation, and structured therapeutic care. She is committed to expanding access to high-quality mental health services in Houma.
  • B.S. Psychology – Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
  • B.S. Child and Family Studies – Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
  • M.A. Clinical Psychology – Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ
  • Psy.D. Clinical Psychology – Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ
  • M.S. Clinical Psychopharmacology – The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Post-Doctoral Fellowship – LSU Health Sciences Center

Clinical Health Psychology Fellowship Program, New Orleans, LA

  • Adult psychiatric inpatient care
  • Individual and group therapy
  • psychological and cognitive assessments
  • Bariatric pre-surgical evaluations (weight loss program)
  • Oncology Clinic Therapy
  • Infectious Disease Clinic Therapy
  • Integrated behavioral health in hospital setting/ICU

Doctoral Internship – National Psychology Training Consortium (Missouri)

Royal Oaks Hospital (Child & Adolescent Inpatient)

  • Individual, group, and family therapy
  • Psychological assessments

Compass Health (Outpatient Clinic – All Ages)

  • Individual and group therapy
  • Psychological assessments

Baker Neuropsychology - Phoenix, AZ

  • Private practice neuropsychology setting
  • Comprehensive, individualized neuropsychological assessments

Mountain Park Health Center - Phoenix, AZ

  • Community-based primary healthcare setting
  • Integrated behavioral health consultations
  • Brief, solution-focused assessments and interventions for all ages

Biltmore Psychology Services – Phoenix, AZ

  • Private practice setting
  • Individual and couples therapy
  • psychological and cognitive assessment
  • Psychological evaluations
  • Adult therapy
  • Diagnostic formulation
  • Clinical oversight and practice leadership
  • Patients with medical concerns
  • Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists – License #1670

Our Clinical Team

Our multidisciplinary team provides therapy and assessment services for children, adolescents, adults, and families. Each clinician brings specialized training that supports a wide range of clinical needs.

Kayla Waller, LCSW, smiling in a gray oval-framed portrait wearing a green patterned top

Kayla Waller, LCSW

Independently Licensed Clinical Social Worker

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Kaitlyn Richard, Psy.D.

Provisionally Licensed Psychologist
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Carmen Blouin

Assistant Psychometrist
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Our Approach

We integrate evidence-based interventions, standardized assessment methods, and collaborative treatment planning to support each client’s goals. Our clinicians emphasize consistency, clinical precision, and a therapeutic structure that helps clients understand their needs and move forward with confidence.

Our Commitment

We are dedicated to providing structured, evidence-based care that supports meaningful progress for individuals and families. Our work reflects a commitment to clinical excellence, thoughtful collaboration, and accessible psychological services for the Houma community.

You Already Have What You Need
Within You to Heal.

Your next step starts with reaching out.
Call us: (985) 261-3435
Kayla Waller, LCSW, smiling in a gray oval-framed portrait wearing a green patterned top

Kayla Waller LCSW

Independently Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Beginning therapy can feel overwhelming, and my goal is to make getting started as simple and comfortable as possible. If you are currently struggling with sadness, anxiety, depression, or chronic stress, please know you do not have to carry that weight alone. Whether you are navigating difficult life transitions, body image and weight challenges, or marital and relationship strain, I am here to offer steady, compassionate support.
I provide a safe, welcoming environment where you can process heavy emotions while building practical, real-world tools to manage life’s challenges. My therapeutic approach is deeply collaborative and entirely tailored to you. After all, you are the expert in your own life. With me as your therapist, you will always have a direct say in what your treatment and healing look like.

I specialize in supporting clients who are struggling with:

  • Depression, anxiety, and mood lability
  • Grief and loss
  • Body image concerns
  • Life transitions, including emerging adulthood, empty nesters, new moms, newlyweds, and divorce or separation.

I also have experience treating alcohol and substance use, bipolar disorder, and eating disorders. After an initial assessment, we can collaborate to decide whether telehealth is the right fit, since these concerns can vary in severity and level of care needed.

To best support your unique goals, I blend a compassionate, person-centered style with evidence-based practices, including:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT) & Solution-Focused Therapy
  • Individual, Couples, & Group Therapy
  • Psychological evaluations for bariatric surgery

I am an independently licensed LCSW with 8 years of experience. I hold a geriatrics certification and specialized in this area in graduate school. My clinical background includes crisis management, substance abuse treatment, couples therapy, inpatient care, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment, and bariatric evaluations and therapy.

I am available for telehealth services on weekends and after hours.

If you are ready to take the next step, learn more, or see what therapy with me would look like, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I would be happy to connect and talk through how we can work together to help you regain control and feel like yourself again.
Kaitlyn Richard, Psy.D. professional headshot

Kaitlin Richard, Psy.D.

Provisionally Licensed Psychologist
supervised by Dr. Burns

Dr. Richard provides therapy and psychological assessment for adolescents and adults. She is originally from Labadieville, Louisiana, and is passionate about serving the mental health needs of the local community.

She earned her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Adler University, with an emphasis in primary care psychology and behavioral medicine. Her work focuses on women’s mental health, trauma, mood and anxiety disorders, grief, and life transitions.

Dr. Richard offers individual, couples, family, and group therapy, as well as comprehensive psychological testing. Her approach is relational and holistic, with a focus on creating a supportive and collaborative environment where clients can better understand their experiences and build practical strategies for meaningful progress. Kaitlyn’s clinical supervisor is Shay Burns, Psy.D.

  • Psy.D., Clinical Psychology – Adler University, Chicago, IL
  • M.A., Clinical Psychology – Adler University, Chicago, IL
  • B.A., Psychology – University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA

Texas State University – Doctoral Internship (Health Service Psychology), San Marcos, TX

  • Learning disability and ADHD evaluations
  • Individual, group, and couples therapy
  • Group therapy (self-compassion; Children of Adult Alcoholics)
  • Educational outreach
  • Women’s health and sports psychology
  • Trauma-focused clinical work
  • Psychological Services Across the Lifespan
  • Served on the APPIC Internship Selection Committee Board
  • Evidence-Based Assessment and Treatment Approaches

Jesse Brown VA Medical Center – Advanced Therapy Extern (Health Psychology Track), Chicago, IL

  • Chronic pain assessments and treatment
  • Group therapy and education for pain management
  • Eating disorder treatment
  • Bariatric pre-surgical evaluations and therapy
  • Women’s health group therapy
  • Medical adherence support groups
  • Individual therapy for PTSD and military sexual trauma (MST)

Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center – Intervention Extern, Chicago, IL

Adler Community Health Services – Diagnostic Extern, Chicago, IL

  • Comprehensive psychological evaluations
  • Multidisciplinary consultation
  • Pre-neuropsychological evaluations

Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) Foundation – Social Justice Intern, Chicago, IL

  • Community outreach and advocacy
  • Grant writing for underserved populations
  • Provisionally Licensed Psychologist – Louisiana State Board of Examiners of Psychologists
License #1761PL
  • Practicing under the supervision of Dr. Shay Burns, Psy.D.
Carmen Blouin professional headshot
Carmen Blouin

Assistant and Psychometrist

Carmen supports clients across every service at the practice. She facilitates communication and scheduling across all services, manages records, keeps the office organized, and helps create a positive environment for all clients. She also supports clients throughout the testing process and ensures that each evaluation is conducted in an organized and consistent manner.
  • Communication and scheduling across all services
  • Records management and office organization
  • Fostering a welcoming, positive environment for all clients
  • Administration of psychological tests according to standardized procedures
  • Scoring and preparation of test data for clinical interpretation
  • Coordination of assessment appointments and testing schedules
  • Assisting clients with instructions and logistics during evaluations