Kara Denahan , LMFT

Kara Denahan is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Rhode Island who brings 23 years of clinical experience working with individuals and couples. She holds a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rhode Island, earned in 1997, and earlier completed a Bachelor of Science in Design with a specialty in Photography. After several years of practicing under supervision, she established a private practice where she has continued to develop her clinical skills.

Kara integrates mindfulness and meditation into her therapeutic work, a practice she deepened through years of study with a meditation group centered on the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. That practice influenced her approach to acceptance, presence, and cultivating inner calm in therapy. She also completed intensive Internal Family Systems training, finishing Level I in 2010 and Level II in 2012, and she incorporates those ideas about inner parts and self-leadership into her sessions.

Her ongoing study includes interest in Polyvagal Theory and Interpersonal Neurobiology, and she draws on a range of contemporary teachers to inform practical, compassionate care. Kara believes there is no single right way to heal and works collaboratively to help each person find the pathways that best fit their life. She currently provides therapy to individuals only and uses her years of training and experience to support clients as they explore lasting change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care with Kara Denahan

Kara uses Attachment-Based Therapy to explore how early relationships shape current patterns of relating and emotion regulation; this approach can help with intimacy problems, family issues, and long-standing relational patterns. She incorporates Mindfulness Therapy practices that teach present-moment awareness and self-compassion, useful for managing stress, anxiety, and difficulties with emotion regulation. She also draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can be effective for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Kara works with clients to understand their needs, goals, and preferences and then tailors interventions so therapy fits each person rather than forcing a single model. Clients are invited to give feedback and experiment with strategies until a helpful path emerges.

Online sessions offer practical flexibility - whether by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging clients can access consistent care around work, family, or travel constraints. These options make it easier to maintain momentum in therapy, try different formats, and fit sessions into a busy life while working with licensed professionals focused on meaningful change.