Dr. Karen Nicole Kearby LPC

I work closely and collaboratively with clients on development of goals. Being able to define your goals is the roadway to get there. The importance of goals in therapy can easily be paralleled to our personal goals in life. Setting goals helps trigger new behaviors, helps guides your focus and helps you sustain that momentum in life. Goals also help align your focus and promote a sense of self-mastery. In the end, you can’t manage what you don’t measure and you can’t improve upon something that you don’t properly manage. Goal setting can lead to greater success and performance. Setting goals not only motivates us, but can also improve our mental health and our level of personal and professional success. We will review goals often and adapt our path if needed.

Building a strong therapeutic alliance is pivotal in the therapeutic journey. This relationship between a client and a therapist cultivates trust and safety to navigate issues and nourish positive feelings of hope and self-esteem.

My approach emphasizes the mutual development of goals for therapy. I am eclectic in modalities and incorporate CBT, DBT, Mindfulness, and Positive Psychology into treatment. The mind and body are connected, and I approach mental health from a holistic lens. My theory is that when people have hope and can learn to challenge and replace irrational thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes, people are free to experience change. I provide individuals with a warm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment-a safe space to explore the issues that may be preventing you from living the life you want. It is my passion to empower you during difficult times and become your most authentic self. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support you unconditionally. I look forward to working with you! “When you come to the edge of all that you know, you must believe one of two things: There will be ground to stand. Or you will grow wings to fly.” — O.R. Melling

• Georgia, Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC010870

My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, positive psychology, and rational-emotive counseling. I am eclectic and emphasize a holistic approach to mental health. I hold a doctorate in Psychology and I am a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC-MHSP) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) with 6 years of experience. I have worked in a myriad of settings to include: private practice, prison/jail and military installations. I have served children, adolescents, adults, couples, and groups to deal with self-esteem issues, depression, anxiety, partner relational problems, anger/stress management, trauma, and life adjustment issues. My approach emphasizes the mutual development of goals for therapy and provision of ongoing evaluation of the therapeutic approach. My theory is that when people have hope and can learn to challenge and replace irrational thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes, people are free to experience change. I provide individuals with a warm, compassionate, and nonjudgmental environment-a safe place to explore the issues that may be preventing you from living the life you want. It is my passion to guide you during difficult times and help you take a step into the future. I look forward to working with you and helping you navigate some of the emotions you are experiencing. I work from a strength-based perspective. Sometimes it is hard to live our most fulfilling lives if we have low self-worth and are overwhelmed by stressors. This can impact all spheres of functioning. Reaching out to me is a wonderful first step and demonstrates that you feel like you deserve some help. And you do! Working on something daily will help build new connections in your brain (the brain is a wonderful and amazing thing- it is capable of building billions of new connections every second!). So, the more we practice what we talk about in therapy, the more your brain will follow. We will want to challenge/ refute some negative cognitive thoughts and replace them with healthier ways of thinking! I also work from a strength-based perspective- what this means, is that we will be focusing on past positive experiences and draw from the skills you already have…and cultivate new ones built on past successful experiences. Therapy is a process…it a journey….it is not a linear process…this means that there are going to be ups and downs….why? Because we are human beings!!!! The human life is hard and full of distractions and failures, and any course of treatment, both psychological or medical, will have also have moments of failure and the need to keep trying….remember, new ways of thinking take time and practice. Therapy is an investment in yourself on so many levels. It takes courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life and to take the first steps towards a change. If you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you. I look forward to working with you!