- Years in practice
- 23
- Credentials
- LMFT
- Licensed in
- Rhode Island
- Languages
- English
- Focus
- Stress, Anxiety
- Focus
- Relationship issues
- Focus
- Trauma and abuse
About Kara
Kara Denahan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Rhode Island with 23 years of clinical experience. She works with individuals and brings a calm, practical approach to difficult moments. Kara draws on a long career that began after earning a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rhode Island in 1997.
Her background includes study of mindfulness and meditation inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh.
Background and approach
That practice shaped how she stays present in sessions and helps clients learn simple ways to reduce stress and increase awareness. She later trained in Internal Family Systems and found the model useful for understanding conflicting internal parts and building self-acceptance. Kara combines attachment-based ideas with cognitive-behavioral tools to help people address relationships, anxiety, depression, parenting concerns, and trauma-related issues.
She also uses mindfulness and trauma-focused strategies when they fit a person's needs. Her style is patient and collaborative, focused on finding usable steps clients can try between sessions. She has decades of experience helping people manage life changes, grief, addiction concerns, burnout and compassion fatigue, and challenges related to identity and intimacy.
Kara pays attention to patterns that come from family of origin and attachment wounds, and she helps clients practice clearer communication and healthier boundaries. People who prefer a thoughtful, steady therapist who mixes practical skills with insight may find her approach helpful.
Kara emphasizes finding the right path for each person and works together with clients to choose methods that match their goals and daily life.
What Kara works with
Everything Kara lists, in the therapist's own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Kara helps people with.
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Trauma and abuse
- Self esteem
- Coping with life changes
- Addictions
- LGBT
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Intimacy-related issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Parenting issues
- Anger management
- Career difficulties
- Bipolar disorder
- Depression
- Compassion fatigue
- ADHD
- Abandonment
- Attachment issues
- Blended family issues
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Codependency
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Dissociation
- Family of origin issues
- Family problems
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Mood disorders
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
- Self-love
- Social anxiety and phobia
- Women's issues
Approaches Kara lists
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Listing an approach is not evidence of training in it. This directory copies what each therapist names and does not check training records.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online care
Attachment-Based Therapy emphasizes understanding patterns in relationships and how early attachment experiences shape current reactions. Online sessions use conversation and reflective exercises to notice those patterns and practice new ways of relating. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing practical behavior changes. In virtual sessions, CBT translates into short skill-building exercises and homework clients can try between meetings to notice immediate effects.Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with the client about their goals, symptoms, and daily routines, then suggest which methods to try first. That plan is adjusted over time based on what helps most and what fits a person's life and preferences.
Online therapy offers flexibility with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and screen sharing for worksheets. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat or text-based messaging can support quick check-ins, brief reflections, or focused skill practice between scheduled sessions. These options help people fit therapy into busy schedules and keep momentum between meetings.
Questions people ask about Kara
What concerns does she help with?
Kara works with a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, parenting, grief, addiction, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and questions about identity and intimacy.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Her style is collaborative and steady, mixing mindfulness and practical tools. Sessions focus on clear steps, improved communication, and ways to manage emotions between meetings.
What is her professional background?
She holds a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rhode Island and brings 23 years of clinical experience working with individuals.
What credential and location are listed?
She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, RI LMFT, practicing in Rhode Island.
Which languages and international options are available?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Therapy is available via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How is cost handled?
Costs vary with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started?
Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.
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