Kara Savage
I'm Kara Savage, MA, LPC, a licensed professional counselor passionate about helping individuals navigate life's challenges, heal from past experiences, and create meaningful, lasting change. My personality and approach are warm, energetic, compassionate, and honest. I believe therapy should be a place where you feel genuinely heard, understood, supported, and encouraged to grow. I bring both professional experience and an appreciation for the complexities of life and relationships to my work. My approach goes beyond managing symptoms to exploring the deeper patterns, experiences, and beliefs that influence how you think, feel, and relate to others. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, or a difficult season of life, I'll walk alongside you as we work toward greater self-awareness, emotional healing, healthier relationships, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Your past may have shaped you, but it doesn't have to define you. Healing begins when you discover what's possible beyond your pain.
First session
Your first session is an opportunity for us to get to know one another, explore what brought you to therapy, and begin identifying what you hope to gain from our work together. I understand that starting therapy can feel intimidating, especially if you've never been before, so my goal is to create a welcoming, comfortable, and judgment-free environment where you can show up exactly as you are. We'll talk about your current concerns, relevant life experiences, relationships, and any patterns or challenges you've been noticing. I'll ask thoughtful questions, listen carefully, and help you begin connecting the dots while gaining a clearer understanding of your needs and goals. There's no pressure to share everything at once or have all the answers. We'll move at a pace that feels comfortable for you. My hope is that you'll leave our first session feeling heard, understood, and encouraged, with a sense of direction and confidence about the work we can do together.
Strengths
One of my greatest strengths is my ability to create a warm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment while also being honest, direct, and intentional in helping you grow. I believe therapy should be a balance of feeling supported and being challenged in ways that lead to meaningful change. I'm naturally curious, energetic, and insightful, and I enjoy helping clients connect the dots between their past experiences, current struggles, and patterns that may be keeping them stuck. My approach goes beyond simply addressing symptoms or navigating immediate challenges. I help clients explore what's happening beneath the surface, identify unhealthy beliefs and behaviors, develop practical tools, and build a stronger foundation for lasting emotional health. I bring a combination of clinical knowledge, genuine compassion, and a collaborative, personalized approach to every session. My goal is for you to leave not only feeling heard and understood, but also gaining greater clarity, confidence, and the tools to create meaningful change in your everyday life.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who recognizes that something in their life isn't working the way they'd like, even if they aren't quite sure why. You may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, stuck in unhealthy patterns, struggling in relationships, or navigating a difficult life transition. Perhaps you've spent years putting others first, questioning yourself, carrying the weight of past experiences, or simply trying to hold everything together. You don't have to have all the answers or even know where to begin. What matters most is a willingness to be curious about yourself, explore what's beneath the surface, and remain open to growth and change. I enjoy working with individuals who want more than temporary relief—those who desire a deeper understanding of themselves, healthier relationships, greater emotional freedom, and a more fulfilling life. Whether you're ready to make significant changes or simply taking the first step toward healing, we'll work together to help you move forward with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Origin story
I've always been drawn to understanding people, their stories, and the experiences that shape who they become. What inspired me to pursue counseling was the opportunity to walk alongside people during some of life's most difficult seasons and help them discover that their past experiences and current circumstances don't have to define their future. I believe healing is about more than simply feeling better. It's about understanding yourself, breaking unhealthy patterns, rebuilding confidence, and creating a healthier, more fulfilling life. One of the most rewarding parts of being a therapist is witnessing the transformation that happens when someone begins to recognize their worth, find their voice, and realize they're capable of meaningful change. I'm passionate about helping people turn their pain into opportunities for growth, healing, and renewed purpose.
Ongoing work together
Our work together will be collaborative, intentional, and tailored to your unique needs and goals. While every person's journey looks different, my approach focuses on helping you gain a deeper understanding of yourself, recognize patterns that may be keeping you stuck, and develop practical tools to create meaningful, lasting change. We'll explore not only the challenges you're facing today but also the underlying experiences, beliefs, and behaviors that may be contributing to them. Therapy isn't always about having breakthroughs in every session. Sometimes progress looks like setting a boundary, responding differently to a familiar situation, managing emotions more effectively, communicating your needs with confidence, or extending yourself compassion where you once felt shame. Other times, it's simply recognizing a pattern you hadn't noticed before. We'll regularly reflect on your goals, celebrate your growth, and make adjustments along the way. My hope is that you'll begin noticing changes not just in how you feel during our sessions, but in how you think, respond, relate to others, and navigate everyday life. Ultimately, meaningful progress happens when the insights gained in therapy begin transforming the way you live outside of it.
Treatment methods
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT)
I use Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) to help you better understand your emotions, attachment needs, and the patterns that influence how you connect with others. Together, we'll explore what's happening beneath the surface of your reactions, including the fears, unmet needs, and past experiences that may contribute to relationship difficulties or emotional distress. My goal is to help you recognize and express your emotions in healthier ways, strengthen emotional security, and develop deeper, more meaningful connections with yourself and others.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help you recognize the connection between your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we'll identify negative thought patterns, limiting beliefs, and automatic reactions that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, or relationship difficulties. I'll help you challenge unhelpful thinking, develop healthier perspectives, and practice practical strategies that support meaningful change. My goal is to help you move beyond simply recognizing what's keeping you stuck and begin making intentional choices that lead to greater confidence, emotional balance, and lasting growth.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I incorporate skills from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help you better understand and manage intense emotions, navigate stressful situations, and build healthier relationships. Our work may focus on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and effective communication. I'll help you develop practical tools for responding thoughtfully rather than reacting impulsively, setting healthy boundaries, and navigating difficult emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them. My approach balances compassion and acceptance with personal responsibility and meaningful change, helping you build greater emotional stability, confidence, and resilience in everyday life.
Faith-based therapy
For clients who desire it, I offer the opportunity to integrate Christian faith and biblical principles into the counseling process. I believe emotional, relational, and spiritual well-being can be deeply connected, and I welcome conversations about how your faith influences your identity, relationships, struggles, and hopes for the future. Together, we can explore challenges through both a clinical and faith-based perspective, incorporating Scripture, prayer, and spiritual reflection when appropriate and meaningful to you. My approach is compassionate, respectful, and never assumes that faith eliminates emotional struggles. Rather, I seek to create a space where professional counseling and your personal beliefs can work together to support healing, growth, and renewed purpose.
Interpersonal
I use Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) to help you explore how your relationships, communication patterns, and life experiences influence your emotional well-being. Together, we'll look at challenges such as relationship conflict, grief, major life transitions, unmet expectations, and difficulties expressing your needs. I'll help you identify recurring relational patterns, strengthen communication skills, establish healthier boundaries, and navigate relationships with greater confidence and self-awareness. My goal is to help you build more fulfilling connections while developing a stronger sense of self and the ability to navigate life's relational challenges in healthier, more intentional ways.
Location
Virtual sessions