Get to Know Me
Pronouns: She/They
Hi, I’m Kara (pronounced care-uh) — a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing online therapy for adults in Tennessee and Virginia. I relocated to Richmond, VA in July 2025 after spending most of my life in Nashville, TN. I’m licensed in both states and offer telehealth therapy for clients across Tennessee and Virginia.
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I’ve been practicing as a therapist since 2009, after earning my Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. But my path toward healing work began long before then—during my own college years, as I grappled with questions about identity, meaning, and belonging. Like many of my clients, I experienced the disorientation of feeling like an outsider without knowing why, and I began healing from religious trauma, shame, and internalized disconnection.
Who i work with
I am deeply passionate about supporting:
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LGBTQ+ adolescents and adults, especially those exploring gender and sexuality
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People healing from religious abuse and spiritual trauma
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Individuals who have always felt “different,” unseen, or out of place
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Individuals and couples seeking queer-affirming, sex-positive, kink-affirming therapy
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Individuals struggling through a major life transition
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As someone who connects strongly with the concepts of gender fluidity and the idea of sexuality existing on a spectrum, I firmly believe in the power of self-authorship—creating and defining our own stories, labels, and narratives. I am an advocate for queer and trans rights, social justice, and reproductive freedom.
How I Work
My therapy approach is person-centered and trauma-informed. I trust that you are the expert on your experience—and that your body and story already hold the wisdom needed for healing. I affirm the full complexity of who you are, not just the parts that feel "broken" or stuck.
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Many clients come to therapy focused on one issue, but together we discover a rich, interconnected web of experiences, needs, and narratives. I approach this process gently and collaboratively, helping you explore and untangle what’s beneath the surface with compassion and curiosity.
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I believe that the therapeutic relationship is the heart of the work. I strive to build relationships with clients that are grounded in authenticity, mutual respect, and shared purpose. I’ll never ask you to do something I wouldn’t be willing to do myself—therapy with me is a two-way commitment, and I’ll walk alongside you every step of the way.
Quick Facts
Fave Book:
Circe by Madeline Miller
Enneagram:
Type 5: The Investigator
with a dash of
Type 4: The Individualist
Fave Musical:
Wicked
Spirit Animal:
Lynx
Fave Recent Movie:
28 Years Later
Fave Video Game:
The Last of Us Part II
Fave TV Show:
Severance
Hobbies:
Travel, Theater, Knitting, Crochet, Yoga, Video Games, Legos, Escape Rooms, Cycling
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Why Mindful Alchemy?
At Mindful Alchemy Counseling, my mission is to support individuals through life’s transitions and challenges with compassion, curiosity, and clarity.
I help clients move beyond self-limiting narratives, heal the wounds of past trauma, and create lives grounded in purpose, meaning, and authenticity.
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I have a deep passion for symbolism, metaphor, and mythology. The stories we tell ourselves—about who we are, where we come from, and what we’re capable of—are shaped by our experiences. When those stories keep us stuck, therapy offers the chance to reimagine and rewrite them. I often draw inspiration from ancient myths, which have long been used to make sense of the human condition. These timeless narratives offer insight into how we endure, transform, and reconnect with our most essential selves.
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The concept of alchemy resonates deeply with my approach to healing. In its traditional sense, alchemy was the art of transforming base metals into gold. Psychologically, it symbolizes the powerful inner work of growth and transformation. Like the alchemists, I believe we each have the capacity to turn pain into wisdom, fear into resilience, and stuckness into momentum.
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My therapeutic approach blends mindfulness, relational work, and body awareness to honor the whole self—mind, body, and spirit. I strive to create an inclusive, affirming space where clients feel safe to explore vulnerability, deepen self-understanding, and build relationships rooted in authenticity.
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If you're ready to move forward with greater confidence, clarity, and connection, I’m here to walk that path with you.