Specialty/Interest Areas:
- Work/Life Balance
- Stress Management
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Life Transitions, Including Pregnancy and Post-Partum
- Marital/Relationship Concerns - Level 1 Gottman Trained
- Interpersonal Issues
- Trauma/PTSD
- Chronic Pain
- EMDR Trained
Cara is a warm and compassionate therapist who strives to create a healthy, collaborative relationship with her clients. She believes that the mind, like the body, is wired for healing and since many of our ‘injuries’ have occurred in relationships with others, they must also be healed through relationships. Cara’s natural curiosity and calm energy help create a comfortable, safe space that holds the potential for her clients to have corrective experiences.
Through an attachment based and trauma informed approach, Cara is aware that folks tend to seek out therapy to address behaviors and thought patterns that frustrate them in the present such as a tendency to shut down, try to control, have a drink, or lash out. Usually these maladaptive coping strategies were needed at some point in our lives and started out as something helpful. Cara seeks to help clients unwind these patterns and gently guide clients along their natural path toward healing.
Cara’s interests and skills as a therapist have evolved from workplace stress and substance use to attachment and developmental trauma, issues related to parenthood and the experiences of pregnant and postpartum individuals, as well as chronic pain and Mind Body Syndrome or TMS. She has additional training in Complex Trauma, Mind Body Syndrome, Anti-Racism, and is trained to provide EMDR therapy.
Cara completed her undergraduate degree at APSU in Clarksville, TN and her graduate studies at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Additionally, she provides supervision to graduate level counseling interns. When not being a therapist, she is doing her best at parenting two small children, listening to podcasts, or watching BBC procedurals. She would be honored to listen to your story, hear about the things that are and aren’t working, and help you make the adjustments you need to live a healthier, more connected life.
I've always known I wanted to help people in my profession, but wasn't quite sure how. I enjoy listening to people's stories and helping problem-solve. I initially thought I'd prefer working with children, so I explored teaching and working in a school setting. However, after giving that a try, I decide to pursue counseling! After graduating, I spent a few years working with Employee Assistance Programs, and then made the shift into providing therapy services with InnerVoice. I only wish I had done it sooner.
1. What attracted you to being a psychotherapist?
Shifting from EAP work to psychotherapy has required me to broaden the approaches that I use. My previous work tended to be short term and solution focused - and I still utilize that approach for individuals who have a specific goal or need to limit sessions for whatever reason. For those who want to work on more relational or longer term concerns, I focus on building safety and trust through curiosity, support, and humor. I believe that the client is the expert on themselves, so I am very curious and usually ask a lot of questions to get a better understanding of not only their history and the issues bringing them in, but what tools they've already been using to manage. I strive to find a balance between allowing the client to take the session where they need to each visit as well as offering specific skills or feedback that they can try out week to week.
2. How would you describe your approach with your clients?
Nearly anything that comes out of Brene Brown's mouth. I am fully on board the Brene train and see so much how shame interferes with our ability to connect with others and even reach our stated goals. This particular quote describes some of the most basic work of therapy to me: "If we can share our story with someone who responds with empathy and understanding, shame can't survive."
3. What's your favorite quote about mental health?
I'm most surprised at how impactful the relationship can be between the therapist and client - for both of us! We hear constantly in school the importance of rapport, but I couldn't understand at the time the depth of that rapport. Of course, treatment modalities and interventions utilized in sessions are extremely important, but so much work is also being done between the 2 people in the room. I'm very impacted by my clients' stories and efforts to make positive changes in their lives and am very grateful that they let me accompany them on that journey.
4. What has surprised you the most about being a psychotherapist?
