ABOUT ME

Pronouns: she/her/they

Hi, I’m Kara Gibbs, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in Nashville. I am a rare native Nashvillian. I have been in practice as a therapist since graduating in 2009 with a Master's of Science in Social Work from the University of Tennessee, though my journey with working in the mental health field began when I was 22 working at a residential substance use treatment facility. Or likely even earlier when I was a college student struggling with purpose, meaning and direction for my life.

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I consider myself a person centered therapist which to me means that I fully believe that my client is the expert on their own experience and greatest resource for healing. I take a holistic approach in my work with clients, addressing and affirming the whole person, not just the initial problem that brought them into therapy. I recognize that though a specific problem may bring someone into therapy, typically "the problem" is actually a complicated web of interwoven layers and concerns that are explored and dismantled during the process of therapy. In a therapy setting, I believe that the relationship between therapist and client is the foundation for healing. That being said, I take pride in cultivating meaningful relationships with my clients built on mutual respect and shared vision for their road to change. It is important to me that I never ask clients to do something I would be unwilling to do myself.

I love working with adolescents, young adults, and adults who are in periods of transition or adjustment. This could mean school, college, job, life, identity, or value adjustments. I enjoy working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, life experiences and perspectives. I strive to be inclusive, supportive, affirming, and curious about ideas, beliefs, and values.

• Adolescents and adults ages 16-30

• Life transitions and adjustment issues 

• Substance use issues and assessment

• LGBTQ+ issues

• Trauma, PTSD, and stressor-related disorders

• Client-Centered Therapy

• Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT)

• Psychodrama

• Motivational Interviewing

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

• Mindfulness

• Sandtray therapy

• Depression

• Anxiety disorders

• Gender dysphoria

• Grief and loss

• Family of origin issues

• School issues and academic stress

• Body image issues

• Relationship issues

• Individual Therapy

• Family Consultation 

• Assessment

• Clinical Supervision