- CBT techniques
- Client-centered work
- Solution-focused goals
About Cara
Cara Kelley is an Iowa LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) with eight years of clinical experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, self-esteem, life changes, relationship and family concerns, career questions, and ADHD. Cara has worked with individuals and in groups, and she has connections to the military community and veteran-focused outreach.
Cara uses practical, talk-based therapy to help people notice patterns that come from their family of origin and current life roles. Sessions focus on clear strategies for coping, improving communication, and making decisions that fit everyday life. She draws on methods that help people change unhelpful thoughts and try small, manageable steps toward different results.
Her background includes a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She also holds the National Certified Counselor credential and has completed education related to suicide prevention and brief trauma interventions. Those experiences inform how she approaches risk, safety planning, and crisis-aware conversations.
In sessions she tends to be direct and practical. She helps people use strengths they already have and tests small changes between meetings. Work can include identifying thinking patterns, practicing new ways to talk about difficult topics, and setting short, achievable goals related to relationships, work, or personal meaning.
Cara aims to help adults who feel stuck by old family expectations or repeated behaviors. She encourages regular check-ins on progress and adapts strategies when something isn’t working. To begin, clients complete a short intake and schedule a first session through the see online therapy options flow.
How Cara’s approaches work in online sessions
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what you say so you can notice your choices and priorities. It helps when someone needs space to talk things through and sort out feelings about family roles or life transitions.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the link between thoughts, feelings, and actions. It involves finding unhelpful thinking patterns and testing small behavior changes to reduce anxiety or improve self-esteem.
Motivational Interviewing helps clarify motivation and set personal goals by using focused questions and collaboration. It can be useful for making changes in areas like career decisions, commitment concerns, or managing ADHD-related challenges.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. The therapist will help identify which approach or combination fits a person’s needs, goals, and preferences. That selection is collaborative and may shift as progress is reviewed.
Confirm the exact session formats before booking, since options are not listed here. Online sessions can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week, shorten check-ins when time is limited, or avoid travel to appointments. They allow regular, consistent contact with a licensed professional while focusing on practical strategies for family patterns, anxiety, and life changes.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Iowa
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
Cara works with stress, anxiety, self-esteem, coping with life changes, relationship and family concerns, career issues, and ADHD. She also focuses on related areas such as codependency, communication problems, and family of origin issues.
What is her therapeutic style?
Her style is practical and talk-based, using clear strategies and short-term goals. Sessions often include identifying thought patterns and trying small behavioral changes between meetings.
How much experience does she have?
Cara has eight years of clinical experience working with individuals and in group settings. She has worked with people connected to the military community.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is an LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor) in Iowa and holds the National Certified Counselor credential. Her practice is based in Iowa.
Which languages are supported and are international clients accepted?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Confirm current session options before booking, as specific formats are not listed here. The matching process will clarify how sessions are conducted.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact fees are provided during the matching and scheduling steps.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session. That process connects you to the intake and booking flow.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Looking for someone else? Find them by surname.