Meet The Owner
Meet The Owner
Kara Kazemba, LCSW
My passion for mental health and systemic wellness has informed each step of my professional journey.
I started my career focusing on early childhood trauma and attachment after graduating from California State University, Sacramento, with a Master’s degree in Social Work.
After working in Child Protective Services, I entered community mental health with an appreciation for how early life experiences and relationships can lead to challenges in adulthood. I also saw how systemic supports, or the lack thereof, could impact individuals well past childhood.
Diving in deeper
For several years I worked as a service coordinator for individuals with severe mental illness, gaining experience in a variety of modalities. This work allowed me to develop deep empathy for individuals living in “extreme states.”
During this time, I obtained my license to practice clinical social work (LCSW). After moving into management in 2014, I worked heavily on accessing grants for programs related to housing and homelessness. Today, I sit on the Washington County Homeless Plan Advisory Committee and am a passionate advocate of fundamental human rights and equality.
Eclectic Approach to Counseling
As a therapist, I pull from a variety of approaches. My work with clients may include:
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy)
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
- Attachment Theory
- Somatic Experiencing
My therapeutic style includes humor, bluntness when appropriate, and a healthy level of swearing. The greatest joy in my practice is the moment when a client remembers, regains, or finds their power and sense of self. I count it an honor and a privilege to play a part in this journey.
I also offer license supervision to Oregon CSWAs with a heavy focus on exploring areas of counter-transference and developing each clinician’s therapeutic lens.
Life In Oregon
Although I am a Washington native, I have lived in Oregon since 2012. I call the Hillsboro, OR community home, where I live with my partner and five kiddos, a rambunctious border collie, and an undetermined number of chickens.
When I’m not with clients, I fill my cup with music, cooking for others, being outdoors, and spending time with animals.
