Welcome to Sprout, I’m so glad you found us! I started my career in social work hoping to work in the macro world. I have always been passionate about understanding the needs of communities and advocating for policies that genuinely serve the people. When I earned my Master of Social Work degree, I realized that working with people one-on-one would help me better understand the needs that go unmet, the barriers people face in accessing them, and the strengths we have individually and collectively to create change. In that pursuit, I found my way to Sprout!

My journey to becoming a therapist may not have been directly intentional, but I am so happy to be here. I feel especially grateful to connect with people who are feeling the weight of oppressive systems, the expectations of social norms, or the general confusion that can come with trying to make sense of it all.

I am particularly passionate about psychoeducation because I believe knowledge is power. I love seeing clients step into their own power as they gain a greater understanding of the science behind what they are experiencing. My hope is that clients can take that knowledge beyond our sessions to better understand themselves, strengthen their relationships, and create healthier environments within their communities.

My approach to therapy is collaborative, supportive, and client-driven. I want clients to feel like they are in the driver’s seat while knowing they have the support of a co-pilot. Together, we explore the systems and relationships that shape their lives, identify their strengths and values, and consider what mental health and wellness look like for them. My clients can rely on me to be a source of encouragement, honesty, and knowledge as they navigate that process.

I work from a trauma-informed and anti-oppressive lens and continually engage in critical reflection of myself, my role as a social worker, and the biases that come with my experience of privilege as a white person in a society built on racism. I strive to understand the ways oppression intersects across areas such as age, gender, class, race, religion, sexual orientation, and relationship orientation. Through this lens, I work to externalize experiences of oppression, identify systemic barriers contributing to the challenges clients face, and collaboratively develop creative ways to address unmet needs.

I love working with people who may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD, depression, anxiety, OCD, difficulty managing intense emotions, chronic interpersonal conflict, or attachment wounds. Ultimately, I am passionate about helping clients recognize their strengths, connect with their values, and develop the confidence to live more authentically and find greater fulfillment in their lives.

When I am not in session you can probably find me playing softball or kickball, snuggling with my doggo (German Shepherd / Black Lab mix), learning the ropes of the PC gaming world (recommendations welcomed), trying all sorts of different crafts (mastering none of them), and trying all the crab rangoons from every restaurant that has them (can anyone else relate?). If I sound like a good fit, please indicate this in your request for intake. I’d love to work with you! 

Now for the professional stuff:

I graduated with my Masters of Social Work (MSW)  from Portland State University, where I focused on practice and leadership with communities and organizations. I am a registered LCSW in the state of Oregon and I’m supervised by Sam Mandel, LPC. My experience as a counselor has ranged from working with survivors of domestic violence, suicide prevention, severe and persistent mental health diagnoses, and adapting to life with a disability.

Before becoming a therapist, the majority of my work has focused on supporting young adults transitioning out of higher levels of care/foster care and into adulthood, as well as residential settings for adults with disabilities and children with DHS involvement.

You can reach Cara directly at cara@sprouttherapypdx.com.