Get to Know Me

Pronouns: She/They

Hi, I'm Kara (she/they). I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, but more importantly, I am a fellow traveler who knows what it's like to navigate a world that wasn't built for you.

I relocated to Richmond, VA in 2025 after spending most of my life in Nashville, TN, so I understand the specific texture of being queer in the South. I founded Mindful Alchemy to help you stop performing for others and start living for yourself.

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.

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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Who i work with

I am deeply passionate about supporting:

LGBTQ+ Folx & Questioners: Adolescents and adults who are navigating gender identity, sexuality, and the freedom to define themselves on their own terms.
Survivors of Religious Trauma: People engaging in deconstruction, healing from high-control religion, purity culture, or spiritual abuse.
The "Outsiders" & Misfits: Individuals who have always felt "different," unseen, or like they are observing the world from the outside looking in.
Diverse Relationship Structures: Individuals, couples, and polycules seeking therapy that is explicitly sex-positive, kink-affirming, and knowledgeable about Consensual Non-Monogamy (CNM).
Navigating Liminal Spaces: People struggling through the "messy middle" of major life transitions, whether it's a move, a breakup, or a career shift.
Generational Cycle-Breakers: Those who are doing the hard work of parenting, loving, or living differently than the way they were raised.

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.

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.

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.