Kara Kushnir

My approach is down to earth, genuine, and supportive. 

To me, modern therapy is about real people having real conversations; so while I use evidence-based clinical practices, I make therapy feel like coffee with a good friend who helps guide you towards solutions to your problems for the world we live in today.

With kids, my approach involves me meeting them where they are at, including playing on the floor, drawing, playing games, or simply providing the safety they need. 

I don't believe in a "one size fits all" approach to therapy - I take an eclectic and person-centered approach to each client whether child, teen, mom-to-be, or adult!

Kara has extensive experience and specialization the following areas:

• Anxiety Disorders
• OCD (children, teens, perinatal) & I-CBT/ERP
• SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions)
• EMDR for medical trauma, relational trauma, and healing from childhood abuse or neglect
• Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
• Postpartum & Women's Mental Health
• Birth Trauma
• Parenting
• Healing Childhood Trauma
• Child & Adolescent Mental Health
• Families of Individuals with Disabilities (Parents/Siblings)
• Neurodivergence 

Kara completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree from Rutgers University where she focused on clinical social work practice and earned a certificate in health and aging studies. 

Kara has completed post-graduate training and completed certifications in Child & Adolescent Mental Health (Rutgers University), is Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International, and has completed extensive training in Exposure and Response Prevention through the Cognitive Behavior Institute in PA.  She is certified in EMDR through the EMDR International Association.

Kara is also trained in SPACE by Dr. Eli Leibowitz at the Yale Child Study Center.

Kara is also an approved clinical supervisor in New Jersey. 

Kara has several years of experience on child study teams and has worked in schools, medical facilities, and for the Children's System of Care. 

She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW-NJ), Postpartum Support International (PSI) where she current serves as the Chair for PSI-NJ, EMDRIA (EMDR International Association) and The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). She is  also an adjunct professor at Montclair State University.