Cara McDonald, LAPC, NCC

Smiling woman with long brown hair, leather jacket

Cara is a therapist who works with high-achieving teens and adults navigating stress, anxiety, ADHD,depression and substance use as a means of stress regulation. She specializes in supporting driven individuals who feel overwhelmed, burned out, or stuck in patterns that are beginning to impact focus, performance, and overall well-being.

Her approach blends therapy and strategic coaching, offering a structured, solution-focused experience rather than open-ended processing. Utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Cara helps clients dismantle the rigid thought patterns that fuel anxiety and perfectionism, replacing them with actionable cognitive tools. For those navigating relational stress, she incorporates the Gottman Method to provide research-based strategies for improving communication, deepening connection, and managing conflict within high-pressure lifestyles.

Sessions are efficient, purposeful, and designed to produce measurable progress. Cara’s work is grounded in Solution-Focused Therapy, emphasizing forward momentum, accountability, and real-world application. She supports clients in shifting from reactive coping to intentional, values-driven performance without sacrificing mental health or personal fulfillment.

Before entering the mental health field, Cara spent several years in corporate sales and leadership. Her firsthand experience in high-pressure environments gives her a deep understanding of burnout, identity shifts, and the demands placed on professionals in fast-paced roles. This background allows her to connect meaningfully with clients navigating workplace stress, leadership pressure, and career transitions.

Cara’s outcome-oriented style is especially well-suited for clients who may be therapy-skeptical or who want a more direct, results-focused experience. She offers a high-impact therapeutic approach for teens and adults seeking clarity, control, and sustained performance in both their personal and professional lives.

Cara’s Specialties: Adolescents 12+, Adults, Corporate Burnout, Addiction, Anxiety and Depression

Please be advised that Perimeter Behavioral Health is NOT oriented to emergency care. For any suicidal ideations or medical emergencies, please call 911, a crisis hotline, or go to your nearest hospital.

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with Cara McDonald, LAPC, NCC