KJC provides counseling services to motivated and often sensitive adults (including neurodivergent adults) dealing with a range of issues such as depression, anxiety, burn-out, codependency, existential dread, transitions, extreme relationship stress (like “narcissistic abuse.”)

Those seeking empowerment, self-esteem, and a better understanding of their own unique needs and strengths tend to be a good fit with Kara.

Clients in a high state of resistance or those unsure about going to therapy, and are going because a loved one told them to go, tend to not be good fits with Kara. Those seeking only one modality, such as only EMDR, tend to not be a good fit because Kara takes a more holistic & eclectic approach rather than focusing on utilizing one main tool. Clients expecting to be “fixed” and get angry when therapy “doesn’t work” are also not good fits because Kara does not believe people are broken.

Clients who need more intensive treatment like substance abuse, immense and profound grief or eating disorder treatment, typically will be referred to specialists in those areas so clients can best obtain the best care they need such as more frequent sessions.

KJC sees individuals ages 18 on a one to one basis via telehealth or in-person.

Kara has been providing counseling services in a multitude of diverse settings for over 16 years, since 2008. These settings include community agencies, health clinics, crisis response teams, and schools. Kara held various positions within the education system from 1999 to 2008. Kara has been in private practice since 2012 as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC.)

Kara’s credentials and work history:

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health, independently licensed since 2011

KJC uses a strengths based, client-centered, trauma informed & neuro-biological differences informed and person first affirming lens. KJC uses an eclectic approach, where each person is unique and receives individualized treatment.

Kara’s scope of practice:

Humanistic and Existential Therapy

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)

ART (Accelerated Resolution Therapy)

Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy, mindfulness & mind/body awareness strategies and deeper healing for almost any treatment goals

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Educated in several other therapeutic practices and areas of mental health: Parts (IFS) work, therapy for survivors of narcissistic abuse, grief and loss, family systems, healthy vs unhealthy relationship focused, psychedelic assisted therapy for pre and post sessions, somatic mind/body skills including Emotional Freedom Technique EFT, harm reduction models for problematic substance abuse, multicultural and LGBTQIA-plus affirming practices and many more due to Kara’s special interest being education and wellness.

Coming into sessions with a lived experience as a neurodivergent working mom, married over 20 years who understands difficult and messy extended family issues, nature enthusiast, INFJ personality who adores her clients and wishes for an equitable world.

Being in the field for many years has allowed for hundreds of hours of important continuing education courses, thousands of clinical hours with clients, and countless professional consultations with experts across almost all areas of mental health.

Kara is passionate about mental health to provide the best care to her clients.

Education & Work History:

Master of Science in Community Counseling (MS) graduated from UOP in 2008, in private practice since 2012

National Board Certified Counselor (NBCC) since 2008

Certified in Advanced Nutritional and Integrative Medicine for Mental Health Professionals

Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (preferring the term Autism Spectrum Differences) with current focus on providing mental health therapy for neurodivergent (ADHD, Autistic) adults with low support needs, including later in life or self-diagnosed.

LAC 2008-2011: Jewish Family & Children’s Services Clinical Case Manager and mental health therapist for children and families addressing any type of mental health need, traumas, domestic violence, substance use disorders, poverty, disabilities (intellectual, physical and developmental), intergenerational trauma including challenges with socio-economic conditions and disparities, and coordination of care with agencies such as CPS, legal and justice systems, educational systems, group homes, psychiatric emergency placements and after care, DDD, SMI and in-patient and out-patient intensive services.

Internships 2006-2008: Community Health Clinics & Hospitals in Maryvale and Downtown Peoria, Arizona and Phoenix Fire Department Crisis Response (CR Team) Counselor .

Prior to becoming a mental health therapist, over the span of 1999-2008, Kara was a certified educator (grades K-12) and a SLP-A for cognitive & communication disorders, autism, traumatic brain injuries, expressive & receptive language disorders, seizure disorders, and other neuro-biological differences.

Research shows that successful outcomes in therapy are linked to a positive therapeutic relationship. Each client must feel seen, heard, and cared for to benefit from therapy.

Kara has had the honor of working with a wide range of individuals from various backgrounds and cultures, while advocating for equity and empowerment.

Kara champions for a fairer society, acknowledging the significance of mental health in self-care, emotional development, and individual progress. With a BA in Cultural Anthropology from NAU in 1998, focusing also on Sociology and Women’s Studies, postbac in education in 2000 from UTA, and a MS in Community Counseling from UOP in 2008, Kara places great importance on diversity and learning. She is dedicated to helping clients recover from oppressive environments such as harmful family dynamics, religious trauma, and the pain inflicted by various forms of prejudice like discrimination, racism, misogyny, xenophobia, transphobia, and homophobia, among others. Kara also believes that most people are capable of kindness, resilience, and compassion and finds purpose in supporting clients to heal.

American Counseling Association; Arizona Counseling Association; The Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development; International Society of Accelerated Resolution Therapy; The Wellness Institute