Kara Davis

Thank you for being here! I have long been interested in human behaviour and what shapes how we think, feel, and relate to ourselves and others, especially after the effects of trauma. I am intrigued by studies on coercive control & narcissism, and the effects on those exposed. This curiosity led me to study a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and, through my own life experiences and adversities, inspired me to pursue a master’s degree in counselling psychology.

I prefer to take an integrative, evidence-based approach to therapy, as I believe our experiences are complex and often require more than one approach; however, I am flexible and adapt to each client’s needs and comfort levels. Some of my favourite approaches include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT), while working through a trauma-informed, developmental-psychology lens.

I believe that healing begins with safety, connection, curiosity, compassion and humour (where appropriate), so that became the foundation of my practice. Sometimes we need a little extra support to navigate and make sense of our experiences, and I am honoured to walk beside you on your healing journey.

A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS

Have you, or anyone close to you, had to overcome any trauma, or mental health challenge?

I do have lived experience with trauma, which was my primary inspiration for learning more about it. Learning about trauma and my lived experience has allowed me a greater appreciation for the emotional and behavioural experiences that may be associated with it and a deeper understanding of how trauma may affect us in ways we may not even initially realize. Since I have personal experience with counselling, I have become a strong advocate for an integrated approach using different modalities and techniques, as I have learned that putting in the effort has yielded positive results for me.

What do you do to keep your outlook optimistic?

To keep my outlook optimistic, I like to focus on what I can control internally, such as my thoughts, judgements and choices, to keep my reactions healthy, even when facing adversities or uncertainties. I also like to set flexible goals and notice positive movement and progress towards these goals. This helps to keep me grounded in the present moment.