Kara (she/her) received initial training as a marriage and family therapist through Loma Linda University. With over 20 years of experience working with children and families, and more than a decade of experience as a psychologist, she qualifies as an expert witness in judicial courts. Kara’s approach recognizes the complexity and interconnectedness of human relationships. This systemic approach includes the use of a variety of therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Solution Focused Therapy, Emotion Focused Therapy (EFT), Narrative Therapy, and Structural Family Therapy. Kara is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) to reprocess trauma. Kara enjoys utilizing play therapy, art therapy and various expressive arts to help engage her clients in the therapeutic process.
Kara is an enthusiastic and compassionate therapist who believes her clients are resilient and can grow and change to overcome their challenges. In addition to providing individual, couple, and family therapies, Kara has facilitated therapeutic groups for seniors, adults, parents, children, and teens. At Kells, she was the lead developer of our Trauma Intervention Program including the RESET and Tools for Trauma Recovery programs. Kara is married and enjoys spending time with her husband and four daughters.
Kara provides counselling services to individuals in these areas:
- Grief and Loss
- Physical and Sexual Abuse
- Conflict Resolution
- Divorce and Separation
- Parent Coaching
- Acculturation Issues
- Trauma and PTSD
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Boundaries
- Addictions
- Attachment
- Stress and Burnout
- Spiritual Issues
- Self-Esteem
- Fostering and Adoption
- Life Transitions
- Marriage and Pre-marital