Profile / United States
Kara Kocmick, LICSW
Minnesota
LICSW - Anxiety and Relationship support
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness techniques
About Kara
Kara Kocmick is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Minnesota with seven years of experience. She works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship and family concerns, intimacy-related issues, self-esteem, grief, trauma and abuse, eating and sleeping problems, parenting strain, anger, career questions, depression, and coping with life changes. She also lists work with LGBT concerns and compassion fatigue.
Kara uses a straightforward approach that helps people notice how thoughts, feelings, and actions connect. She draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) ideas to identify patterns and test small changes. Sessions focus on practical steps, skills practice, and checking what actually helps between meetings.
Her style is conversational and goal-oriented. She helps people talk through relationship boundaries, intimacy and sexual health topics, and body image or kink-related concerns without judgment. She supports people working through shame, guilt, isolation, and decisions about life purpose.
Kara also uses client-centered and motivational interviewing approaches to clarify what matters to each person. Mindfulness practices are added when helpful to notice urges, strong emotions, or unhelpful thinking without getting swept up in them.
People considering therapy are asked to identify a few concrete goals. From there Kara and the client set short-term steps to try, review progress, and adjust plans. The work emphasizes real-world changes, not only discussion.
How Kara integrates CBT, DBT and client-centered work online
Kara commonly uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people identify unhelpful thoughts and try different responses. CBT here focuses on testing small changes and tracking what helps with anxiety, depression, sleep, or eating concerns.She also draws on Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills to teach emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and clearer communication. DBT skills can be useful when strong emotions or impulsivity interfere with relationships and daily routines.
Client-centered techniques and motivational interviewing are used to clarify personal goals and increase motivation for change. These approaches emphasize the client’s priorities and make collaborative plans for practice between sessions.
Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the work. Kara will discuss goals and preferences and help decide which techniques to try first. She checks progress together and adjusts the plan based on what the client reports.
Session formats are not listed in the biography, so confirm available online session options before booking. In general, online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a workday, reduce travel time, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and avoid the need to be on camera for every meeting. Talk with her during the matching process to choose the session rhythm that fits everyday life.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
7+ years
Listed in
Minnesota
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she address most often?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and relationship and intimacy-related issues, among other topics listed in her profile.
How does she use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?
She uses CBT ideas to map links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and to test practical changes that can reduce distress.
What is her professional background?
She holds a Minnesota LICSW and has seven years of clinical experience working with adults and adolescents.
Where is she licensed to practice?
She is licensed in Minnesota as an LICSW and practices from that state.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions arranged and what do they cost?
Cost varies by location and sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.