Kara Merriam, LPC

Evidence-Informed Techniques and Flexible Online Care

Two evidence-based approaches she draws on include cognitive-behavioral techniques, which help people identify unhelpful thinking patterns and replace them with more adaptive behaviors, and skills-focused interventions that teach practical coping strategies for managing stress, anxiety, mood fluctuations, and ADHD-related challenges. These methods are typically goal-oriented and useful for improving daily functioning and emotional regulation.

Another common approach is trauma-informed care that prioritizes safety, pacing, and building coping resources for those recovering from traumatic experiences. This style supports gradual processing while strengthening resilience and self-care skills so clients feel more grounded as they work through difficult memories and reactions.

Finding the right combination of approaches is part of the therapeutic process, and she collaborates with each client to select techniques that match their needs, preferences, and goals. That collaborative process includes reviewing what has or hasn't worked in the past, setting achievable objectives, and adjusting methods as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers practical benefits through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to access care from different locations and schedules. These options provide flexibility for people balancing work, family, or mobility constraints while keeping continuity of care and making it simpler to fit therapy into daily life.