About Kara
Kara Merriam is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Tennessee with 14 years of experience. She helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, parenting strain, low self-esteem, bipolar symptoms, ADHD, compassion fatigue, and major life changes. Kara emphasizes strengths and practical steps to move forward.
She approaches sessions as a partnership. Kara treats the person as the expert on their life and listens first. Together they identify small, realistic goals that fit daily life.
How Kara works
Sessions focus on what will help most right now and build skills over time. Kara draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques to guide treatment. She uses clear explanations and concrete tools so people can try new strategies between sessions.
Her style is direct but encouraging, aiming to make change feel manageable rather than overwhelming. Clients can expect straightforward conversations about coping skills, problem solving, and emotional regulation. Kara supports people through difficult transitions and recurring patterns that keep them stuck.
She also helps caregivers and professionals experiencing compassion fatigue to find better balance. Over her career Kara has worked in a range of roles that informed her clinical judgment. She frames progress as steady steps forward and celebrates practical wins.
People who want honest, skills-oriented help often look to her for steady guidance and encouragement.
What Kara works with
The areas below are the ones Kara selected when setting up a profile. The first few are listed as the main focus; the rest are also named.
Also listed
- ADHD
- Bipolar disorder
- Compassion fatigue
- Coping with life changes
- Parenting issues
- Self esteem
- Trauma and abuse
Training and background
| Register | LPC |
|---|---|
| Years in practice | 14 |
| Languages | English |
| Session format | Online: video, phone, live chat or messaging |
| Country | Tennessee |
Memberships and registers are shown as supplied; they are not licences, and this directory does not verify them.
Online support options
Therapeutic approaches and online care
Many of Kara's sessions emphasize evidence-based therapeutic techniques that teach concrete skills to manage symptoms and stress. One common approach focuses on building coping and problem-solving skills to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms; it teaches step-by-step strategies people can try between sessions. Another approach centers on stabilizing mood and improving daily routines for people coping with bipolar symptoms or chronic stress, helping clients track patterns and make small changes that improve functioning.Choosing the right method is a collaborative process. Kara works with each person to figure out what fits their goals, needs, and preferences. She explains options in plain language and adjusts techniques over time so therapy feels useful and relevant.
Online therapy offers practical flexibility for busy lives. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when a longer session is helpful. Phone sessions can work when bandwidth is limited or a check-in is needed without video. Live chat and text-based messaging suit quick check-ins, brief coaching, or ongoing support between longer sessions. These formats help people fit therapy into work, caregiving, or other responsibilities while keeping a steady connection with a licensed professional.
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Common questions
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A practical next step
Write down two things you would want to be different in six months. That is the most useful thing to bring to a first session, whoever it is with. If you would rather start now than keep reading, online sessions are the quickest route.
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