Kara Van Beek, LCSW
About Kara
Hi, I’m Kara! I’m grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside you in your life journey. I enjoy working with people who are navigating life transitions, relationship challenges, or feeling stuck in patterns that may no longer be serving them. I love helping people better understand themselves, recognize those patterns, and discover new ways of navigating difficult situations. I am also particularly interested in working with people living with lifelong mental health concerns. A diagnosis can be an important part of someone’s story, but it doesn’t have to be their whole story. I believe people can learn to understand their mental health, build on their strengths, and create meaningful lives while navigating ongoing challenges. My goal is to help clients better understand themselves, develop practical tools for navigating difficult moments, and feel more confident in their ability to handle whatever life brings their way. Wherever you are in life, my goal is to meet you there and help you figure out what comes next.
Sessions With Kara
I believe therapy will look different for every person. Everyone comes to therapy with their own experiences, strengths, challenges, and goals, and I want to work with you to figure out what you need from therapy and what approach will be most helpful for you. Some sessions may involve talking through what is happening in your life, while others may be more focused on developing skills or working through a specific challenge. I enjoy thinking outside the box and finding approaches that fit your personality, needs, and goals. My goal is to create a space where you can feel comfortable being yourself and know that you will be met with compassion and without judgment. At the same time, I believe that growth sometimes requires us to look at things differently or step outside of our comfort zone. When it is helpful, I will gently challenge you, ask difficult questions, and help you recognize patterns or perspectives that may be getting in your way. Ultimately, I want therapy to feel like a collaborative process. We will work together to figure out what you need, what is working, and what might need to change as you move toward the life you want.
Specialties And Training
I earned my Master of Social Work from Baylor University and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Wisconsin. My clinical experience includes working with individuals experiencing a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, relationship concerns, life transitions, and challenges with emotional regulation. I also have experience providing crisis intervention and support to individuals navigating periods of significant distress. I use therapeutic approaches flexibly and tailor them to each person’s needs, goals, and circumstances rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.