Kara is the best and such a wonderful resource in my life!
Kara Denahan, LMFT
Experienced mental health professional
Provides online counseling through BetterHelp
At a glance
Kara is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.
- 4.5 stars
- Clients are very satisfied with Kara. View 27 reviews
- Speaks English
- Offers Telehealth visits
- Licensed in Rhode Island
Recent reviews
Kara is an amazing therapist. She listens and intuitively responds in a way that allows me to grow and move forward with my answers to my own issues which is empowering. I am so fortunate to have found her to help me.
More about Kara
- 23 years' experience
- Female
- LMFT
Hello, and welcome! My name is Kara Denahan and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Rhode Island. I have been providing therapy to individuals and couples for over 20 years. Currently, I am only providing therapy for individuals.
I want to share a little of my development as a therapist as I think this will give you a better sense of who I am, both professionally and personally. My undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Design, specialty Photography. In my mid-thirties I decided to return to school and entered a master’s level program to study Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Rhode Island. I graduated with a Master of Science Degree from URI in 1997. After a few years of working as a therapist for other people, I opened up my own private practice.
In 1999 I felt some dimension was lacking in both my professional and personal life and I joined a meditation group dedicated to the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist who I found to be compelling. I learned about the concept of interbeing and the benefits of mindfulness, meditation, acceptance, and cultivating inner peace. The wisdom transmitted in the teachings and the meditation practice deepened and expanded my capacity to connect and engage with my clients at a more satisfying level.
In 2009 I pursued training in Internal Family Systems Therapy (IFS), developed by Richard Schwartz, Ph.D. I had been intrigued by this model of therapy for many years. IFS regards each person as a collection of parts ("a part of me wants to exercise, a part of me doesn’t") that interact continuously. The intention is to accept our inner world through connection with our True Self, which is wise and kind and non-judgmental. When we truly accept ourselves, even the parts of ourselves we might consider "flawed’", we are also able to accept others and their flaws more easily. We experience more ease within ourselves as well as outside of ourselves. Completing Level I (2010) and Level II (2012) of the intense IFS trainings had a profoundly positive effect on me. I am glad to be able to share these teachings with my clients. Truly accepting who we are is the best gift we can give ourselves.
There have been many other influential teachers in my life. Most recently, I am intrigued by Polyvagal Theory developed by Stephen Porges, Ph.D, and its practical applications as presented by Deb Dana, LCSW. Polyvagal Theory explains the underlying cause of most physical and mental disorders is a chronically dysregulated nervous system in a state of threat. I am also in awe of Daniel Siegel, M.D., a neuropsychiatrist who has developed Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), a therapy that beautifully integrates neuroscience, attachment theory and meditation practice. Rick Hanson, Ph.D, also blends neuroscience with ancient wisdom traditions and offers practical, simple, and effective techniques for increased personal well-being. Martha Beck is another source of inspiration who masterfully weaves humor with wisdom and has the gift of making the metaphysical credible. I am forever grateful to the teachings of Brene Brown for so clearly delineating the difference between shame and guilt, and for being an advocate for vulnerability, under the right conditions. I pass on to my clients the knowledge I have integrated from these wise and kind masters.
What I know is that there is not a one size fits all form of therapy. What works for you may not work for your friend. There are many doors to move through in life, and I make it my mission to help you find the best door for you to step through to a more fulfilling life. I know if you follow that which inspires and uplifts you then you will find your way. It is my joy and honor to be with you as you discover and uncover the unlimited potential that is you at your essence. What I have to offer you is years of accumulated wisdom and the ability to be fully present, expertise gained through following my heart to that which inspires and uplifts me. I hope to inspire you.
Please be aware that I only work mornings, Monday through Friday, and I prefer scheduled live chat/phone/video sessions.
Specialties
Stress
Anxiety
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse
Self esteem
Coping with life changes
Addictions
LGBT
Family conflicts
Grief
Intimacy-related issues
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Anger management
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Depression
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Abandonment
Attachment issues
Blended family issues
Caregiver issues and stress
Codependency
Commitment issues
Communication problems
Control issues
Dissociation
Family of origin issues
Family problems
Forgiveness
Guilt and shame
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Midlife crisis
Mood disorders
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Post-traumatic stress
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-love
Social anxiety and phobia
Women's issues
Treatment Approaches
- Attachment-Based Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Mindfulness Therapy
- Trauma-Focused Therapy
- Internal Family Systems
Licenses
Kara Denahan's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1255493813.
- LMFT · Rhode Island · MFT00080 · Expires July 2026
About online counseling
- Affordable.
- Pay a low flat fee.
- Convenient.
- Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
- Available now.
- There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.
Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.
Reviews for Kara Denahan
All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.
Overall rating:
Kara is the best and such a wonderful resource in my life!
Kara is an amazing therapist. She listens and intuitively responds in a way that allows me to grow and move forward with my answers to my own issues which is empowering. I am so fortunate to have found her to help me.
Kara is amazing and always supportive!! I appreciate having the ability to message with her during off hours. It has been a great thing to have when things come up that are issues.
Kara is a wonderful therapist. Empathetic and insightful.
Kara is an experienced counselor. She is very attentive and responds quickly. She also understands what's important to me. She allows me time to ponder and if I text her she responds rather than waiting for an appointment which is comforting.
Kara is amazing and super responsive to my texts which is super helpful when I am having an issue mid-week.
Kara is amazing and insightful! She helped me through my separation, divorce process, and getting back on my feet again.
Kara is great, very understanding and helpful and available. I would definitely recommend her to anyone in need.
She's awesome
Kara is great! She has helped me through my separation process with skill, kindness, and knowledge.
Kara has been extremely helpful as I go through some very difficult situations involving leaving my verbally and emotionally abusive partner. She was available to message with me when I left and helped talk me through what to say to our children and how to move forward with communicating with my now estranged husband. I am forever grateful for her help in this process.
Wonderful therapist. Listens, offers a multitude of strategies and asks thoughtful questions.
Kara is great.
I've only had a few sessions with Kara (via live chat) so far, but I can confidently say she's the easiest therapist I've ever talked to--and the option of live chat rather than voice/video is incredibly helpful as well. She provides worksheets to go through when helpful, helps to reinforce more positive thoughts/behaviors, and follows up after sessions / at the beginning of the week to check in. I was hesitant to try BetterHelp over traditional therapy at first, but Kara has definitely changed my view towards it :)
She is helping me understand myself and discover who I am. She's helping me navigate my inner thoughts and untangle my trauma piece by piece
Kara is extremely intuitive and listens to what you have to say. She doesn't tell you how you are, she asks you and tries to help you understand what you're dealing with. She gives great advice and actually talks to you like a person trying to help, not just like you're a patient. Anyone would be lucky to have her as their counselor and therapist, I know I certainly am.
Kara is amazing! She has made such a difference in my life and I am so grateful for her
Kara is excellent. Her approach is supportive and calming. She is helping me better understand myself and what I need to do to live a happier life.
Kara is such a great energy to be around and is present for each moment I'm with her. She really does her best to bring insight that would positively benefit me in one way or another and I deeply appreciate her!
Great counselor understand all my concerns
Kara is great. She really listens, asks good questions, and provides great ideas and resources for addressing my problems.
Kara takes the time to really read what I am saying and gives a detailed response back and helps me in so many ways!
Kara is very responsive and sensible in her communication style. She provides additional resources to help focus on the areas I am working on. I have enjoyed our discussions and found them very insightful and easy to understand.
My sessions with Kara have been immensely helpful. She is an engaging, responsive, and warm person. By the end of each of our sessions, she always managed to help me resolve some internal conflict or distress. Speaking to her has allowed me to feel more positive and confident in situations that earlier made me feel uncomfortable. She is an outstanding counselor whom I can't recommend highly enough.
Thank you for helping me during these strange times
Kara is fabulous! I appreciate her ability to deeply listen, and her myriad helpful suggestions. She is the best counselor I’ve ever had
Kara and I have only been talking for a short time now, but I feel very grateful for her multi-layered/integrated approach - she tunes into and speaks to the nuanced dynamics that are contributing to what is going on and asks questions that have helped me process and find clarity.
Frequently asked questions
Does Kara Denahan offer telehealth visits?
Yes. Kara Denahan works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.
What language(s) does Kara Denahan speak?
Kara Denahan speaks English.
How many years of experience does Kara Denahan have?
Kara Denahan has 23 years of experience.
Where is Kara Denahan licensed to practice?
Kara Denahan is licensed to practice in Rhode Island.
Does Kara Denahan accept clients outside of the United States?
No, Kara Denahan does not accept clients outside of the United States.
Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?
Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."
What treatment approaches does Kara Denahan offer?
Kara Denahan offers clients Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy, and Internal Family Systems.
How can I communicate with Kara Denahan?
Kara Denahan can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.
How do I get started with Kara Denahan?
Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.
Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.
And recovery is possible.
When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.