Kara Canfield
Kara Canfield
My approach to therapy is based on my belief that every person has inherent value and is a gift to the world. Throughout our lives we encounter experiences and relationships that can fracture our sense of self and disconnect us from what we need. I believe therapy is a way to help you get back into harmony with yourself – to learn to listen to what your mind and heart are telling you and to ground yourself in the value you were born with. I would be honored to be a person helping you to do this. I have over 9 years of experience in the mental health field where I have spent my time building my skill and growing my knowledge. I graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2016 and have worked in a variety of settings since, including community based centers. In my 9 years I have focused on specializing in helping people work through traumas (PTDS, Complex trauma), anxiety and grief. I am EMDR trained, which is just one of the modalities I can use to help address symptoms, especially PTSD. My experience and trainings have helped me to provide excellent care to those individuals I've worked with, and I love what I do.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
I know a first session can be anxiety inducing, so let me tell you a little more about what to expect! - Our initial session will begin with a brief introduction and orientation to policies, informed consent, confidentiality, etc. This ensures that we are on the same page and ideally minimizes any surprises. - We will then discuss what is bringing you into therapy. This might include symptoms or current problems you're experiencing. - After this we gather additional information about you so I can get to know you and gain a better understanding of you and your situation. This can cover many areas of your life. You are able to ask questions about the process as we go and if there is anything you're not comfortable discussing that is okay - I don't expect trust to be build in a day! - Next we will discuss your goals and hopes for treatment. From this we will build a treatment plan catered to your specific needs. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental, warm environment where each person I see is treated with dignity and respect. Come as you are and we can work together to help you meet your goals and build the life you want to live.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
- Experience: With over 9 years of experience I have an excellent combination of training and knowledge merged with a refined intuition. This helps me to identify what is best needed in a moment and pull from my knowledge base to help meet those needs. - Authenticity: While the therapeutic relationship is professional, that doesn't make it not real. This means that what you'll get from me is authenticity - including connection, humor, care, empathy and someone who is really listening to you. - Creating a Safe, Nonjudgmental Space: There's not much more important in therapy than feeling safe to share whatever is on your mind or heart. I am honored every time I am able to be that space for someone and work hard to be nonjudgmental and make you feel accepted. - Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Whatever it may be you want to bring up or talk about it I'm right there with you. I won't need to change the subject or try to get through it quickly. We can sit in the "yuck" or the weird or the shame until we've witnessed everything it has to say. - Address Root Issues - While coping mechanisms can be incredibly helpful and necessary, I always have an eye out for what the root behind the symptoms might be and how we can solve what's really going on instead of what is just manifesting on the surface.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
As an independently licensed clinician with EMDR training I am best positioned to serve clients who are hoping to address root issues and concerns. I am especially passionate about helping people heal relationship wounds, navigate life transitions, learn how to cope with life as a highly sensitive person and learn how to manage their anxiety on a deep level. I also have experience with the military/veteran community (personally and professionally) so I understand how military culture is different from civilian life.
About Kara Canfield
Appointments
VirtualMy treatment methods
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy is a great tool to help you work through emotional "stuck points". This is primarily used to treat PTSD and is effective at reducing distress, anxiety, nightmares and flashbacks associated with traumatic memories. Flash therapy is another associated therapy that uses similar techniques, but allows us to reduce the distress/intrusiveness of a memory without going into the memory! This is a perfect companion to EMDR, or can be used on it's own.
Grief Therapy
Grief can be overwhelming and difficult to work through - and everyone goes through it differently! Grief therapy helps you to work through whatever emotions and situations accompany your grief in your unique situation.
Trauma Informed Care
Your treatment with me will always be through the lens of trauma informed care. You need a provider who knows the balance between resolving the trauma and helping you to function better, without triggering your symptoms even more or overwhelming you. I am always mindful of balancing pushing where you need it, and honoring where you're at and taking all the time to teach coping skills and mechanisms that help you to progress. Traumas almost always occur because something happened to/around you without your consent - I will never take you further than you want to go, I will make sure we always have your consent before moving on to the next step. You are in control, I will just be your guide!
Person-centered (Rogerian)
You are your own unique person - and before anything else it is important you feel seen, heard, and understood. This is an excellent foundation that allows the building blocks of other modalities to succeed!
Eclectic
Ultimately your treatment needs to be unique to you! I use elements of a variety of treatment modalities to cater to your specific needs and situations. Not one size fits all! This can include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing, Christian Counseling, Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), elements of Internal Family Systems, Solution Focused Therapy and more.