Kara Johnson believes that every person holds the strength to grow — and her job is to help you find it. As a Licensed Social Worker with a Master’s degree from Loyola University, Kara brings deep clinical expertise and genuine warmth to every client she works with.
Kara’s path to private practice was shaped by years of hands-on experience across some of the most demanding environments in social work. She served as Director of Family Services in Northwest Indiana for three years, overseeing mental health, disability services, and case management. She spent two years as a school therapist working directly with children ages 5–13, and has partnered with DCFS to support some of the most vulnerable families in the region.
She is certified in the Nurturing Parenting Program (NPP) and uses an integrative, strength-based approach — drawing on CBT, mindfulness, and solution-focused techniques — to work with young children, teens, adults, and couples.
Kara also has a special heart for grief work. She understands that loss takes many forms — the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, a diagnosis, or any life change that leaves you mourning what once was. Her approach to grief is gentle, patient, and honors each person’s unique process of healing.
Kara is a great fit for you if you are:
• Grieving a loss and need a safe, compassionate space to process it
• A parent navigating challenges at home or with your child’s school
• A child or teen struggling with big emotions or trauma
• An adult seeking deeper self-awareness and personal growth
• A couple looking to rebuild connection and communication
