- Stress and anxiety
- CBT and solution-focused
- Motivational interviewing
About Cara
Cara Kelley is an Iowa LMHC with eight years of counseling experience. She works with adults on stress, anxiety, self-esteem, coping with life changes, relationships, family concerns, career questions, and ADHD. Cara has worked in individual and group settings and has connections to the military community.
Cara uses practical, straightforward conversation to help people name what’s going on. She listens and reflects so clients can see patterns. From there she helps people try small changes that can reduce overwhelm and improve day-to-day functioning.
Her training includes approaches such as Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy. Those methods guide how she structures sessions and sets short-term goals with clients.
Cara also has experience with veteran issues and suicide awareness work. She has academic credentials in psychology and clinical mental health counseling and holds an IA LMHC credential. That background informs her practical approach to safety, coping, and crisis education.
In sessions she pays attention to how thoughts, behaviors, and routines interact. She works with the strengths people already have to reduce barriers and test new habits. The focus is on achievable steps - things someone can try between meetings to notice real differences.
People who are navigating early adult transitions, career stress, relationship strain, or questions about purpose may find her straightforward style useful. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How Cara’s approaches are used in online work
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on the link between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In practice this means noticing unhelpful thinking, testing new perspectives, and trying behavior changes to reduce anxiety and improve daily routines.Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and building a respectful working relationship. The therapist mirrors concerns, asks open questions, and supports clients as they decide what to try next.
Finding the right way to work together is part of the process. Cara will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they choose methods and short-term steps that fit the client’s needs and lifestyle.
The original biography does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into busy schedules, allow shorter check-ins when time is tight, and reduce travel time. These practical benefits help people keep therapy consistent while juggling school, early career demands, and relationship responsibilities.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
8+ years
Listed in
Iowa
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
Cara works with stress, anxiety, self-esteem, life changes, relationships, family issues, career concerns, and ADHD among other related areas.
What is her style in sessions?
She uses practical conversation and goal-focused methods such as Client-Centered Therapy, CBT, Motivational Interviewing, and Solution-Focused Therapy to set short-term steps.
How long has she been practicing?
Cara has eight years of experience working in individual and group counseling settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds an IA LMHC credential and practices in Iowa.
Can I see her if I live outside the United States?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats does she offer?
Confirm current session options before booking, as the biography does not specify which formats are offered.
How are sessions paid for and what do they cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I get started if I want to work with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.