Cara Havens
Licensed Associate Marriage & Family Therapist
““It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.” — E.e. Cummings
I specialize in:
Couples & Families
Communication and conflict in relationships
Pre-marital preparation
Emerging Adults & life transitions
Parenting transitions- empty nest and new parenthood
Grief
Anxiety & Depression
Trauma & EMDR
Spiritual Trauma
Spiritual Integration
About Me
I’m a Marriage and Family Therapist and someone who’s experienced my own healing work through therapy. I come to this work not just as a clinician, but as someone who knows the courage it takes to face anxiety, untangle perfectionism, and continue to work through the impact of childhood trauma. I’ve experienced how powerful it is to have a safe, supportive space to be fully seen.
When I first started my personal journey in therapy I was a mom of 4 young children with a husband who traveled frequently for work. I realized I needed a place to heal when my normal coping strategies were no longer helping me battle anxiety and overwhelm. In the safety of the therapeutic relationship I was able to connect with myself and begin the healing process. I’ve been married for 25 years and have 4 children, who are growing up way too fast. I understand the complexity of balancing caregiving, relational connection, and self care. Outside of the therapy room, I love reading, hiking, traveling the world, connecting with friends, and attempting to bake and craft (with mixed results but good intentions)
I bring a warm, relational, and trauma-informed approach to the therapy room. I work with individuals and couples navigating a wide range of challenges, including relationship struggles, spiritual trauma, attachment injuries, anxiety, depression, grief, life transitions, and the shifting dynamics of parenthood — including empty nest and new parenthood. As a therapist, I am compassionate and collaborative, integrating Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), EMDR, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and experiential approaches.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or just ready for something to shift, I’d be honored to walk alongside you.
Education
University of Northern Iowa
Bachelor of Arts in English
Dallas Theological Seminary
Master of Arts in Biblical Studies
Fuller Theological Seminary
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
Training
EMDR Trained
EFT Advanced Trained
I am currently working toward independent licensure under the supervision of Kelly Ontiveros (LMFT #15325)