Mx. Kara VanHimbergen, BA

Valparaiso, Telehealth

Education

School:

Valparaiso University

Degree:

Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

Kara VanHimbergen (she/they) is a second year in Valparaiso University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Their previous field placements include providing support sessions to adolescents in a residential setting, and facilitating the acquisition of life skills for adults and adolescents. Through these experiences, Kara gained an appreciation for working with adolescents and young adults. They have additional clinical interests in neurodivergent, LGBTQ+/Sexual, Affectional, and Gender Expansive, and chronic pain/chronic illness populations.

Kara has had a lifelong interest in all things relating to psychology and counseling, and works to include these themes in creative writing projects with the goal of creating better representation for clients and therapists alike. Kara gravitates towards Narrative Therapy, Person-Centered, and Strengths Based modalities; these modalities work in conjunction with one another to guide the client towards an integrated sense of self by identifying stories about the self that point towards a fluid state of authenticity. However, therapy is a collaborative process and Kara is dedicated to tailoring evidence-based practices and interventions to meet the needs of each individual client. Kara would describe their general therapeutic presence as affable, humorous, and direct.

Aside from counseling, Kara’s other loves include: cats, This American Life (podcast), rock climbing, rock/alternative music, and writing.

Issues Treated

Autism Spectrum Disorder
Chronic Conditions
Gender-Specific Issues
Identity-Related Concerns
Trauma

Age Specialties

Teenagers (14 to 19)
Emerging Adults (18-25)
Adults
Elders (65+)

Types of Therapy

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Existential Therapy