Kara Denahan , LMFT

Kara Denahan is a licensed marriage and family therapist based in Rhode Island with 23 years of clinical experience working with individuals and couples. She holds the LMFT credential, which stands for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and earned a Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Rhode Island in 1997 after completing an undergraduate degree in Design with a specialty in Photography. After several years working with other practitioners she established her own private practice and now focuses her work on individuals.

Kara's path to therapy was shaped by both formal training and contemplative practice. In the late 1990s she joined a meditation community inspired by the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, integrating mindfulness, acceptance, and the idea of interbeing into her clinical work. She later trained in Internal Family Systems therapy, completing intensive Level I and Level II trainings in 2010 and 2012, and she brings that parts-based perspective into many therapeutic conversations.

Her continuing study includes interest in Polyvagal Theory and the practical applications described by Deb Dana, along with influences from Interpersonal Neurobiology, neuroscience-informed approaches, and contemporary thinkers who bridge psychology and contemplative practice. Kara emphasizes that there is no single right way to heal - she guides people to find the approaches and practical steps that fit their life, values, and goals. Her practice addresses a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, relationship and attachment issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, coping with life changes, addiction, grief, parenting, and mood disorders, offering seasoned clinical judgment paired with mindfulness-informed care.

Attachment, Mindfulness, and Remote Care

Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on the ways early relationships shape how people relate to others and to themselves. It helps individuals understand patterns of connection, manage fears of abandonment, and build more secure, trusting relationships. Mindfulness Therapy teaches practical attention and acceptance skills - simple practices that reduce reactivity, increase present-moment awareness, and support emotional regulation across stress, anxiety, and trauma-related concerns. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, looks at the connections between thoughts, feelings, and actions and offers hands-on strategies to shift unhelpful patterns and build coping skills for mood, anxiety, and everyday challenges.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic work. The therapist collaborates with each person to identify which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, often blending approaches so treatment feels practical and personally meaningful.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging, making it easier to access consistent support around work, family, or mobility constraints. These remote options can help maintain continuity of care, allow timely check-ins between sessions, and make it simpler to integrate therapy into a busy life while working with licensed professionals and therapists who tailor the process to each individual.