About
- Stress and anxiety
- CBT and solution-focused
- Motivational interviewing
About Cara
Cara Kelley is an Iowa LMHC with eight years of clinical experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, self-esteem, ADHD, relationship concerns, family issues, career transitions, and coping with life changes. Sessions focus on practical steps and clearer thinking rather than labels. Cara speaks English and practices from Iowa.
Before becoming an LMHC Cara completed a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She has worked in both individual and group settings and has connections to military communities, including advocacy around veteran suicide awareness. Her background includes coursework in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM), Psychological First Aid, and QPR gatekeeper training in suicide prevention.
Her style centers on straightforward conversation and practical tools. She helps people notice patterns that get in the way and try different, small changes. Techniques draw from client-centered ideas, cognitive behavioral strategies, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused work. Expect clear, goal-oriented conversations and joint problem solving.
Cara emphasizes strengths people already have. She guides clients to use those strengths to develop new coping skills, build confidence, and clarify purpose. When old patterns feel stuck she helps identify manageable steps to move forward.
People who prefer concrete strategies and short-term skill-building often find this approach useful. Cara frames therapy as collaborative work where client goals shape each session. Prospective clients should confirm current session formats before booking.
How sessions work
How Cara’s approaches translate to online work
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people identify unhelpful thoughts and test new ways of thinking and acting. It is often used for anxiety, stress, and many everyday problems by breaking them into manageable steps.Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and respecting the client’s perspective. It supports people who want a direct space to talk through feelings and make sense of difficult choices.
Motivational Interviewing is a short, practical way to clarify personal goals and strengthen motivation for change. It can help with commitment issues, career shifts, or getting unstuck from old patterns.
Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. Cara will discuss goals and preferences and together decide which approaches to use. This is a collaborative process that can shift as needs change.
Confirm the exact online session options before booking since the biography does not list formats. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work and family life, allow for shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Licensed professionals often use online meetings to keep appointments consistent with everyday schedules, and Cara will help match session length and focus to what works for each person.
Areas of focus
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Iowa
Languages
English
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, self-esteem, ADHD, relationship and family issues, career change, and coping with life transitions.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
She uses practical, goal-oriented conversation and combines client-centered support with cognitive behavioral and solution-focused techniques.
How much experience does she have?
She has eight years of clinical experience and has worked in both individual and group settings.
What are her credentials and where is she based?
Cara is an LMHC licensed in Iowa and holds a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Does she offer sessions in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients.
What session formats does she provide?
Confirm current session options before booking since formats are not specified in the biography.
How are sessions priced?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What is the first step to begin working together?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If anyone is in danger, use the crisis numbers.