Registered Psychotherapist, M.A. M.Ed. M.A.
A different therapy experience
A personalized, empowering experience with a down-to-earth, seasoned psychotherapist
Why choose me as your therapist?
Hi, I'm Kara (she/her). When working with me, you will benefit from a small practice. Right from the start, I will look after every part of your therapy journey and you won't have to deal with different people for scheduling and billing. I intentionally will do my best to keep the process as straight forward as possible even before you are in session.
In counselling sessions, I will encourage, guide and support you to explore your inner world, lean into the discomfort, build on your strengths, create new resources and shift how you experience the uncomfortable changes in life.
This is not my first career and like you, it took me a while to get here. My work as a therapist draws from my lived experience and fittingly builds upon my prior helping professional careers in education, international development and humanitarian aid.
Just like you, I am no stranger to difficult changes and challenges in life. I have experienced stress, burnout and anxiety. I have been stuck; I have been overwhelmed; I have grieved. In my 35 plus years as a 'helping professional', I have witnessed all kinds of sorrow, distress and trauma. Yet, I have also seen incredible resilience when there is adversity and a person's' potential to create meaningful change - if one is open to it.
Let's meet in my office in Bowmanville
You are here because you are experiencing some kind of challenging change. Whether it is personal, family or work related, changes are stressful and can lead to a whole range of emotions. As difficult as your challenges are, there is also an opportunity to get insight, become stronger, gain new skills and find your sense of meaning. Having a safe, welcoming place to land and explore is foundational to your therapeutic work.
Let's meet in my outdoor office
A part of my counselling work and how I choose to live involves connecting to nature. The benefits of nature for one's wellbeing (both physical and mental) are tremendous. To me it makes perfect sense to bring nature into our therapeutic work. If you are interested in this, we can explore how to do this and meet you where you are at. Integrating nature into sessions can be flexible and integrated with other approaches. We can combine in-office, virtual or outdoor sessions. What is important, is making nature accessible to you so that you feel comfortable.
Let's meet virtually (anywhere in Ontario)
So you cannot make it into the office. That's ok. Another option is to do virtual therapy from the comfort of your own home. This allows for convenience, flexibility, privacy while using a secure platform. Virtual therapy can be easily combined with in-person sessions or walk and talk sessions- taking a hybrid approach to meet your needs.
Diversity statement and Land acknowledgement
I am accepting of clients of all genders, backgrounds, religions, races, sexual orientations and other self-defined personal or cultural identities. I recognize the harmful impact of racism, sexism, ableism, anti- LGBTQ+ and other forms of discrimination. I also acknowledge the harmful impact of systemic racism and the legacy of colonialism on people. I continue to educate myself on this subject.
Working in the municipality of Clarington, I wish to acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional and treaty territory of the Mississaugas and Chippewas of the Anishinabeg, known today as the Williams Treaties First Nations. Working in the municipality of Port hope, I also pay respect to the lands of the Michi Saagiig Anishnaabeg traditional territory covered by the Williams Treaties. My work on these lands acknowledges their resilience and their longstanding contributions to the area.
