About
Hi, I’m Karen O’Hara, LCPC, LCMHC.
I provide therapy for teens, young adults, adults, and parents in Barre, Vermont, and through telehealth across Vermont and Maryland. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, trauma, ADHD, OCD, perfectionism, burnout, depression, or a major life transition, my goal is to create a space where you feel supported, understood, and empowered to make meaningful changes.
I know that reaching out for therapy can feel intimidating. Many of the people I work with are used to handling things on their own and aren’t always sure where to start. You don’t need to have everything figured out before coming to therapy. We’ll work together to understand what’s happening, identify what’s getting in the way, and develop practical strategies that help you move toward the life you want.
I intentionally keep a small caseload so I can give each client real, individualized attention. I don’t book sessions back-to-back-to-back, which means I have genuine flexibility if your schedule needs to shift, and time between sessions to actually think about what’s going to help you most.
My Approach to Therapy
I believe therapy should be compassionate, practical, and healing. While understanding your experiences and emotions is important, therapy should also provide you with tools you can use in everyday life. I simultaneously work on skills, and healing what is underneath your symptoms.
My style is collaborative, warm, and direct. I strive to create a supportive environment where you can be yourself without fear of judgment while also feeling challenged to grow. Every client is different, so I tailor treatment to your unique needs, strengths, and goals.
My work is informed by evidence-based approaches including:
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for OCD
- IFS (Internal Family Systems) — currently deepening this training through a four-month intensive
- Neuroaffirming approaches for ADHD and neurodivergent individuals
My Professional Background
I have more than 20 years of experience working in mental health settings with adolescents, young adults, adults, and families.
I spent seven years at an alternative school working with children and teens facing mental health and learning challenges. During that time, I built and led a DBT curriculum for the school, which gave me broad, hands-on experience with younger clients and shaped the way I still approach skills-based work today.
After that, and before opening my private practice, I spent nearly 15 years at a therapeutic residential and transitional living program for young adults. During my time there, I served in a variety of clinical leadership roles, including Clinical Director. This experience allowed me to work closely with individuals and families navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, ADHD, relationship challenges, life transitions, and the complexities of emerging adulthood.
These experiences continue to shape my work today and have reinforced my belief that lasting change happens when people feel both supported and challenged in the therapeutic process.
Meet Makayla 
One of the most popular members of my practice is Makayla, my mini Labradoodle.
Makayla occasionally joins me in the office and is always happy to greet visitors. While she isn’t a certified therapy dog, she has a calm, friendly personality and enjoys meeting new people. For many clients, her presence adds an extra sense of comfort and warmth to the therapy space.
You’ll see photos of her throughout the website, and if you’re lucky, you may get to meet her in person.
Beyond the Therapy Office
When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, walking Makayla, watching softball, exploring Vermont, and being involved in the local community. I also share my home with two longtime cats, Blarney and Sammy, both adopted from the local humane society. As a member of the Barre Partnership and Secretary of the Community Integration Program Association (CIPA), I value connection and believe that relationships play an important role in our well-being.
I also understand the importance of balance and self-care—not as a buzzword, but as something we all need to practice, especially during stressful seasons of life.
Education & Licensure
Education
- M.S., Clinical Psychology, Loyola University Maryland
- B.A., Castleton State College
Licensure
- Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) – Vermont
- Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) – Maryland
Specialized Training
- EMDR
- Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Parent Coaching
- Clinical Supervision
- IFS (Internal Family Systems)
Ready to get started?
I offer in-person therapy in Barre, Vermont, and telehealth appointments throughout Vermont and Maryland. If you’d like to learn more or schedule a consultation, I’d be happy to connect.