Individual therapy to manage your anxiety & OCD
Serving High-Achieving Teens and Women
You want to be present,
lean in, and enjoy your life, but most days, you find yourself…
✗ Struggling to let go and roll with the punches
✗ Overthinking or panicking about things you can’t control
✗ Stressing about others’ perceptions of you
✗ Not sleeping or finding it difficult to relax
✗ Overwhelmed about how to deal with your anxiety or OCD
I get it. Life feels exhausting.
“You can’t control impulsive thoughts that enter your mind, but you can control offering those thoughts a chair at your table. It’s your choice.”
KARA FRIEDMAN
the approach
What I can do…
I individualize your sessions, so we can create a working relationship that will feel comfortable and safe - helping you to trust the process and make changes that might otherwise feel scary. I believe in you and my hope, through our time together, is to help you believe in yourself.
We'll process how to be comfortable with the imperfections that make you, "YOU," and how to love your quirky, unique, wonderful traits. While every individual and experience is different - most of my clients report a, “huge sigh of relief,” after working together.
Starting therapy can be scary for some individuals and exciting for others. And possibly even both! I suggest going in with an open mind and an open heart. Be sure to give yourself time to adjust to the new environment and build trust with your new therapist.
Before you begin with a therapist, asking a few questions upfront is essential to help you feel comfortable.
Download my free guide to get started!
THERAPY can help WITH
Anxiety & Panic
Depression
Body-focused Repetitive Behaviors
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Low Self-Esteem
Phobias
ADHD
Setting Boundaries
Relationship Issues
People Pleasing
Guilt and Shame
Quarter or Midlife Crisis
Life Transitions
Twice-Exceptional learners
School Avoidance
Family Challenges
Life Balance
Stress Management
Perfectionism
Communication Skills
Body Dysmorphia
BENEFITS YOU MAY SEE
Note: I cannot guarantee a specific result since every person and situation is completely unique, but some of my past clients say they experience the following:
✓ Better tools for coping with overwhelming feelings
✓ Self-acceptance and comfort with imperfection
✓ A new focus on strength over challenges
✓ A better distinction of fact vs. judgment with thoughts
✓ Practical strategies for coping with anxiety and OCD
✓ Relief and a renewed sense of self-confidence
INDIVIDUALIZED teen
$200 | 50 — minute session
Teens I work with find they need help managing their emotional experiences when it comes to school, friends, and family. They need tools to cope and practical ways to share their needs with the adults around them. Depending on presenting challenges, we'll use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Talk Therapy, or other modalities to work through these experiences in a comfortable, judgment-free space.
I collaborate closely with parents to fully understand their perspectives and concerns, and we'll regularly check in on progress with recommendations for follow-through at home and school.
My practice currently has limited availability. I maintain a waitlist for new clients and will discuss timing during our consultation call.
INDIVIDUALIZED adult
$200 | 50 — minute session
Some clients work through difficult life circumstances, and others come for support as they aim to reach their full potential. Many women find they need help managing symptoms of anxiety, depression, OCD and other aspects of life that can cause stress - I know how long that list can be!
Our sessions are a confidential place to discuss your fears, frustrations, hopes, and challenges - helping you learn more about yourself and identify your strengths, so you can feel confident and start moving forward.
HOW IT WORKS
step 01
Reach out to book your free 30-minute consultation call to get started - BOOK NOW ➝
step 02
Within 72 hours, you’ll receive an invitation to book a day and time that fits your schedule.
step 03
We’ll chat on the phone and determine if we are a good fit to work together.
step 04
If you’re ready to move forward, I’ll schedule your first session and send you onboarding information.
step 05
The first session, we’ll spend time getting to know each other and establish your treatment plan.
hey you,
I’M KARA FRIEDMAN
I'm a Licensed Professional Counselor with 25+ years of experience working with teens and women in St. Louis. My work also includes specialized training in CBT, ERP for OCD, SPACE for child anxiety, and HRT for BFRBs. I've presented at the American School Counselor Association annual conference and the International OCD Foundation annual conference. I contributed to The Drama Years (Simon & Schuster) and served as a consulting editor on The BFRB Workbook for Teens and Young Adults (Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2025).
I'm committed to helping my clients see their true potential by using evidence-based approaches mixed with an authentic human-to-human connection. My hope is to help you shift your focus from the hard things in life to your outstanding strengths — so you can take actionable steps forward.
My Speciality Training
I've completed advanced clinical training in specific evidence-based approaches:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) A research-backed approach focused on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns that drive anxiety, depression, and stress. The most widely studied therapy approach in the world.
Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD Helps clients face anxiety triggers in a structured way and resist compulsions, leading to lasting relief.
Inference-Based CBT (I-CBT) for OCD Helps clients focus on the faulty reasoning patterns that fuel their obsessions.
SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions- Yale University) A parent-based treatment for child and teen anxiety. Parents learn how to reduce accommodation patterns that unintentionally reinforce anxiety, while supporting their child through it.
Habit Reversal Training (HRT) for BFRBs A treatment for Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors like hair-pulling (trichotillomania) and skin-picking (excoriation). HRT helps clients become aware of triggers and develop competing responses.
In addition, I've trained in
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Metacognitive Therapy (MCT)
trauma-focused approaches
Parenting a middle schooler?
In addition to my therapy practice, I created Making the Middle , an online masterclass for parents navigating the middle school years. While therapy is one-on-one clinical work, Making the Middle is an educational program with practical tools, frameworks, and real talk for any parent of a tween or teen.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Yes, in addition to meeting in person, I offer telehealth counseling using an encrypted, HIPAA-compliant video platform. This allows me to offer flexibility for my clients and to accommodate their changes in schedules, inclement weather, or illness.
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I believe in the value and importance of working collaboratively with other providers and prefer to coordinate with my clients' treatment teams whenever possible. I am happy to provide referral lists for outpatient providers, including dietitians, primary care providers, psychiatrists, college counselors, family therapists, tutors, and more - if you feel that you would benefit from the support of a multidisciplinary treatment team.
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Sessions are scheduled based on the client’s needs. Some clients choose to schedule their sessions weekly, while some come bi-weekly or monthly. After your intake consultation, we will discuss what frequency will best fulfill your needs.
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I require a minimum of 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule your appointment (whether in-person or telehealth). Otherwise, the full cost of the session will be charged. To cancel or change a scheduled appointment, please contact me at (314) 669-5580.
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I am not an in-network provider with any insurance carriers and do not participate directly with managed care companies. However, my services may be eligible for reimbursement as an out-of-network provider. Please contact me directly to discuss billing inquiries related to my practice.
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Payment is expected in full at the end of each session. I currently accept credit cards, FSAs (workplace Flexible Spending Accounts) and HSA (Health Savings Account).