Contract Therapist

Hello! My name is Kara Tolman and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. When I am not at work, you can find me outside gardening or spending time with my 3 rescued fur babies.  I specialize in assisting individuals with honoring their most authentic selves as well as navigating some of life’s toughest transitions. I enjoy collaborative and client-centered sessions where we both are active participants in your overall wellbeing.  I primarily use the following approaches in my therapy sessions; Cognitive-Behavioral, Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed, and Somatic. You are the expert within your own life, and I am here to help you navigate through your current waypoint. 

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I have had the privilege of working and supporting our Nation’s Special Operations Community through difficult transitions as well as children and families in a community-based setting. I use a mix of mindfulness and enjoy teaching my clients skills to use inside and outside of sessions. Trauma can dissolve our sense of identity and impair our capacity for emotional regulation. Trauma impacts so much more than our mind but our whole bodies. I utilize body scans in sessions to help clients become self-aware of how their body keeps the score.

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Whether we experience trauma or not, we are all shaped by our environments and the experiences that happen to us. I enjoy putting time into developing a strong therapeutic alliance and utilizing empathy. Empathy drives connection and creates a safe environment for my clients to come to session to do the hard work. There is no need to navigate your current waypoint alone; I hope to see you soon!