Meet Kayla Marzullo at Psychiatry of the Palm Beaches in Florida

Kayla studied psychiatric medicine at Vanderbilt University. Her education gave her the tools to help others, and her life experience gave Kayla a passion for mental health and seeing others thrive emotionally. While Kayla enjoys treating all ages, her passion for psychiatry led her to her first position at Aviva, a nonprofit organization that specializes in ages 5-22, where she saw the many struggles and stressors that children experience today. She is especially driven to children and young adults due to their tremendous capacity for growth and healing.

She enjoys connecting with the patient to build a foundation of trust as they work together and overcome obstacles together. Whether depression, anxiety, ADHD, ADD, or post traumatic syndrome or any other condition, she finds it incredibly rewarding to help children, adolescents, and young adults navigate the increasingly complex environments they face and learn to cope and heal, eventually gaining the strength and confidence needed to thrive.

For the past nine years, Kayla has provided compassionate, patient-centered care to individuals of all ages and walks of life. She is guided by the principle, “never give up on the human potential and always add value to others.” Her approach to patient care is driven by a deep belief in the capacity for growth and healing. Her commitment to creating a safe, nurturing environment where patients can feel heard, supported, and empowered remains at the heart of everything she does. Through each encounter, she strives to help individuals unlock their full potential and achieve lasting mental well-being.

Kayla has always been drawn to mental health, even before being a nurse. In her early career, she recognized that patients’ struggles often go beyond physical illness—they are deeply connected to emotional, psychological, and social well-being. While she worked in the ICU, a patient thanked Kayla for making her feel like more than just a patient. The patient expressed that Kayla had made her feel like a “part of a family,” and that moment stuck with her deeply. It was a powerful reminder of how essential it is to see the person behind the illness and to treat them with dignity and respect.

Over the years, she has encountered many similar moments that have reaffirmed the importance of not only providing medical care but also fostering human connection. These experiences have shaped Kayla’s practice and helped her understand that being a compassionate listener and truly engaging with patients can make a profound difference in their recovery and well-being. Through her nursing background, she also learned the art of listening therapeutically, a skill that has allowed her to better understand her patients’ needs, fears, and emotional struggles.

“I found myself drawn to conversations with patients where I could offer more than just medical care; I wanted to listen, to understand, and to help them process their experiences.” -Kayla Marzullo

Kayla believes that attentive listening and genuine warmth are essential components of effective patient care. She approaches care with a deep commitment to synergy, benevolence, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in patients’ lives. Her unwavering dedication to each person’s journey reflects her genuine passion for making a positive difference in their lives, one step at a time.

Kayla treats with a focus on transformative, patient-centered care:

“When it comes to my interactions with patients, I strive to be empathetic, nonjudgmental, and compassionate. I firmly believe in meeting people where they are, honoring their unique experiences, and empowering them to take control of their own mental health journey. I bring a sense of warmth, understanding, and a genuine commitment to creating a safe space for my patients to express themselves without fear of judgment. One of my greatest strengths as a provider is my ability to listen—to hear the unspoken and to validate my patients’ stories. I recognize the complexity of the human experience—how mental health is not isolated but connected to every part of a person’s life, from their relationships to their work to their physical health. My goal is to offer holistic care, addressing both the biological and psychosocial factors that contribute to mental health challenges.” -Kayla Marzullo

Kayla is a deeply compassionate and caring professional who is devoted to helping others. She creates a warm, safe space where patients feel truly heard, valued, and supported. With an open heart and a listening ear, Kayla builds meaningful, trusting relationships that empower unique individuals to take control of their mental well-being. Through a personalized approach, Kayla collaborates with patients to develop tailored treatment plans that focus on their unique needs, goals, and overall well-being.

Kayla encourages patients to find creative outlets, whether through exercise, art, or other forms of self-expression. She believes that these activities can help individuals reconnect with themselves, process emotions, and manage stress in healthy ways. She blends evidence-based therapeutic techniques with a holistic understanding of mental health, ensuring each individual receives the support, tools, and guidance they need to achieve lasting growth and healing. Kayla’s commitment to patient-centered care emphasizes the importance of empowering patients to live their best lives, not just managing symptoms.

Kayla’s motivation to choose a career in psychiatry began during the height of the pandemic, when the world felt overwhelmed, and mental health challenges were at their peak. Caring for patients who were struggling both physically and emotionally made her realize the profound impact mental health has on every aspect of a person’s life. That’s when she decided to expand her scope of practice and focus on psychiatry, where she could have a more direct and sustained impact on people’s mental and emotional well-being.

Kayla values spending quality time with her family, friends, and her rescue puppy, Carl, who brings immense joy, love, and balance to her life. Staying active is important to her, whether that be working out, running, or enjoying a relaxing day at the beach. She has a particular interest in trying new restaurants, where she can enjoy new delicious foods. She loves dancing as a creative outlet and a way for her to stay connected to her physical and emotional well-being. Dance has taught her about the mind-body connection and the importance of physical expression for emotional healing. Going to church helps ground Kayla and has become part of her routine, it helps her to stay centered in her life. She cherishes these moments because they remind her of the importance of balance, connection, and joy in life, values she carries with her into work every day.