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Get to Know Me

pronouns: she/they

Kara Gibbs, LCSW in white
Headshot of Kara Gibbs, LCSW

Hi, I’m Kara (pronounced care-uh), a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who just moved to Richmond in July 2025 after living most of my life in Nashville, TN. I am licensed in VA and TN and see clients from both states. I’ve been practicing as a therapist since 2009, after earning my Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee. However, my path in mental health and healing started long before then, when I was a college student grappling with questions of purpose, meaning, and direction, feeling like an outsider without understanding why, and beginning to heal from religious trauma and shame.

I am deeply passionate about working with individuals who identify as part of the queer community, those who have experienced religious abuse, and anyone who has ever felt like an outsider or “different.” 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 a sex-positive and kink-positive therapist, and I advocate for queer and trans rights, social justice, and reproductive freedom.

My approach is rooted in person-centered therapy, which means I honor the belief that you are the expert on your own experience and the greatest resource for your healing. I take a holistic approach, affirming the whole person rather than focusing solely on the problem that brought you into therapy. I understand that what may initially seem like a singular issue is often a complex web of interconnected layers, and I am committed to helping you explore, untangle, and address these layers in a compassionate and empowering way.

In therapy, I believe the relationship between therapist and client is the foundation for healing. I take pride in building meaningful, authentic connections with my clients, grounded in mutual respect, trust, and a shared vision for their journey toward change. It’s important to me that I never ask my clients to do something I wouldn’t be willing to do myself—my commitment to you is to 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:

Mickey 17

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

Pretzel in Nurnberg Germany
Train to Fussen Germany
Kara Gibbs the skier
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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.

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.

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.

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.

I specialize in working with adults—particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community, individuals navigating major life transitions, and those seeking to heal unresolved trauma. If you're ready to move forward with greater confidence, clarity, and connection, I’m here to walk that path with you.

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