My education has taught me to meet my clients where they are. It's your world, and I am here to assist! In a non-judgmental and confidential atmosphere, your progression is a priority. Working together, we will identify the issues and/or triggers that you may be experiencing. We will also identify strategies and ways to overcome, work through, and move forward from those stumbling blocks. With a listening ear, I will support and encourage as necessary. I aim to push individuals to their fullest potential. Though it may be challenging, I will be with you on your growth journey. Even though loved ones may surround us, sometimes that is not enough, and that's okay! Sometimes, we need to reach out and ask for more support and assistance. That's okay, too! This is why I am here.

My entire work career since graduating has been centered around mental health. I work with adults, older adults, families and couples. While in both my undergraduate and graduate programs, I completed my field placement in Detroit public and charter schools while working with nonprofit agencies in the city. I have experience going into the homes of clients as well as working in an inpatient hospital. 

I specialize in Depressive Disorders, stress, low self-esteem, Anxiety Disorders, coping skills, & more. Specialized to meet your needs, I utilize therapeutic interventions such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution Focused Therapy.

My formal education focused on psychology and clinical social work. My professional experiences have been in public schools, hospitals and outpatient clinics, the Military, international nonprofits, universities and various community settings. I currently have a private practice with offices in Napa, in addition to my virtual office, where I provide "teletherapy" to clients in both California and Texas.
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My therapy training began in public schools with special education, K-12. I counseled children with mental health concerns and led life skills groups. I worked intensively with adolescents (and their caregivers) in alternative school programs burdened by emotional concerns.
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I spent most of the next decade working in hospitals, both pediatric and adult, assessing and responding to a variety of issues including devastating diagnoses, chronic health conditions, end of life issues, infertility and pregnancy loss, postpartum depression, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault and mental health crises. During this time, I taught and supervised students for the University of Texas at Austin Graduate School of Social Work. After ten years, I shifted out of the hospital setting to therapist lead of an integrated behavioral healthcare network where I helped build a program for providing mental health and case management to a pediatric and family medical practice serving 30,000 low income families.
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An opportunity led me to England for two years, where I managed a prevention and education campaign related to new parent support and family violence prevention. I educated US Air Force members and families on topics such as stress and anger management, PTSD, resilience, healthy dating, couple's communication and parenting, while co-facilitating support groups on chronic medical conditions. During this time, I also worked with Airmen and families on managing stress before and after deployments and transitioning to civilian life after a military career.
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After a brief return to the U.S. to study Spanish at the Defense Language Institute of Monterey, I moved to South America and worked for the U.S. Embassy while volunteering with a Chilean nonprofit. During this time, I researched advances in counseling and coaching methodology. Although I have a working knowledge of Spanish, I do not provide services in Spanish at this time.
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In 2014, I relocated to Napa, pregnant again after experiencing pregnancy loss. After treating parents for postpartum depression and anxiety, I experienced it first-hand and became aware of a need for expanded maternal mental health support in my community. So I added services to my private practice that would address infertility, pregnancy and postpartum mental health support, Moxie Motherhood, and co-founded a pregnant and postpartum peer support program.
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For almost two decades, I have honed my clinical expertise from problem-focused to possibility-focused. I remain current on research and active in the professional dialogue of wellness, balancing my time between counseling, coaching, teaching, volunteering and parenting. Read more here.
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I welcome the opportunity to support you.

Hi, thanks for reading my Bio! I've been a psychologist now for 30 years. Over that time, I've helped more than 10,000 people. This is my 3rd career - I started as a Domino's Pizza manager, then a computer programmer for IBM. I became a psychologist after seeing my own psychologist during a difficult divorce. I learned so much from that experience that I knew it was right for me - so I went back to school. I've also completed 90% of a post doctoral certificate in neuropsychology.

I find that most people I work with are interested in one of two kinds of therapy. First, some people are interested in problem solving / solution focused therapy - finding solutions to life's many problems. I use brain science and the design of human beings to develop creative shortcuts to these problems. I've created my own names for them, such as the 'what else' technique, or reverse psychologizing yourself, or the 3 P's of grieving, or the 'outside the box' technique.

Other people want to understand themselves at a deep level. Perhaps they find themselves making the same mistakes in life. Or they wonder 'how did I get here?' The want to understand their personality structure and to make deep, long lasting changes - to become, not necessarily happier, but more successful and satisfied with life. During this process, I describe what I consider to be 'the ultimate in mental health.'

And now you know ... The rest of the story!

Are you a high achiever who is great at getting things done, but not great at connecting with your feelings? Or maybe you're struggling with your relationship. You're committed to your spouse, but you realize you've got a wall up and you're not sure how to bring it down. I enjoy helping high achievers work to reduce anxiety and perfectionism, and deepen connections with the people they love. I am a licensed counselor in the states of GA and FL, and am a CPCS in the state of GA which qualifies me to supervise other counselors. I am trained in Gottman Method for couples (through level 3) and additionally trained in helping couples recover from affairs. I am also certified in EMDR, a trauma therapy, ERP, DBT and more. My clients know me as someone who will help them take a nonjudgmental approach to their situation, connect with deep needs that they have long ignored, and work to strengthen emotional connections in their lives.

Salima received her Bachelors degree from Georgia State University in Early Childhood Education. While teaching, she recognized the importance of mental health for both the child and the family. She wanted to transition to a career where she would have the opportunity to focus on the mental health of others. She obtained her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University. During her program, Salima spent time at Manna Treatment, where she gained experience working with eating disorders in the PHP and IOP programs. She also had the opportunity to work with children, teens, and adults for various issues such as divorce, depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health concerns.

In addition to her internship experience, Salima also worked for Kate’s Club, where she lead grief groups for school-aged children who recently lost a family member or loved one. Salima enjoys seeing her clients progress and meet their personal goals and works with them to help foster mentally and emotionally healthy lives.

It is my goal to help people through difficult times and communicate better within their families. I would like to support individuals, couples and families as they learn to manage what feels too hard to do on their own. I have worked extensively supporting youth and families through post traumatic events, anger issues, anxiety, depression and adjustments. I want to help support you through this difficult time or time of adjustment.

I am a strong believer that personal growth, change, and self-improvement are attainable for anyone willing to make the decision to try. I have a long list of personal experiences that have brought me to a point in life where I can now reach out and help others therapeutically. If you are feeling stuck in your life or in a situation that feels hopeless, you do not have to suffer through it alone. I would be honored to join you right where you are and begin establishing the right tools for you to get unstuck and to find that hope that was lost or missing. Primarily, I have clinical experience working with adolescents struggling with ADHD, depression, anxiety, suicidality, autism, and oppositional defiance. Secondarily, my personal experiences fuel my desire to work with young/teen mothers, first responders and spouses/family members of first responders.

I am a compassionate and empathic Associate Marriage and Family Therapist eager to provide support. My journey has involved delivering therapy in both individual and group settings. I have experience in helping clients with trauma, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. I am also fluent in Spanish and enjoy working with the Latino community. I utilize therapeutic approaches such as Person-Centered, Narrative, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. There are various therapy approaches, and together, we can discover which one will benefit you the most.
As an AMFT, I am passionate about helping others. I am committed to helping you reach your goals by providing you with hope, support, and guidance. I have experience working with teens and adults. Therefore, I understand the difficulties that day-to-day life can bring. I aim to work with you along your journey to improve your mental health and emotional well-being. My goal is to understand your inner world and develop strategies that facilitate personal growth.
I hope to provide you with a safe space and supportive environment. I believe each individual has a unique story, and I'd be honored to hear yours!

Cara is a Licensed Professional Counselor - Mental Health Service Provider and National Certified Counselor. Along with her licensing and training, she is certified in both the Grief Recovery Method ® and the SYMBIS Pre-Marital Assessment. Cara is a graduate of the University of Georgia. After completing her Bachelor’s degree, she completed her Master’s at Richmont Graduate University in Atlanta, GA.

Cara works regularly with individuals and couples experiencing a variety of struggles including anxiety, depression, grief, low self-worth, relational challenges, life transitions, trauma, affair recovery, emotional regulation and feelings of intense shame.

Cara believes the most important element in therapy is the relationship between the therapist and client. Because of this, she works hard to understand each individual as their unique self and create a safe and open space for growth and healing. While she works with a variety of therapeutic approaches, Cara finds most of her work centers around the Psychodynamic theory, recognizing that we all believe and inevitably behave the messages we narrate unconsciously. By understanding these beliefs and messages and how they originated, we can ultimately change and heal in all aspects of our lives.