Kara Marsh, M.A.

Kara is a Resident in Counseling and National Certified Counselor (NCC) working under the supervision of Elizabeth Bailey, LPC. She works with adults and older adolescents (16+) seeking support for anxiety, depression, substance use problems, relationship concerns, life transitions, and the impact of traumatic experiences.

Kara strives to create a welcoming space where clients feel heard, understood, and respected. Her approach is collaborative and trauma-informed, grounded in curiosity, compassion, and a strong therapeutic relationship. Kara tailors therapy to each client’s needs and goals, drawing from cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and other relational and strengths-based approaches.

Prior to joining Fairfax Mental Health & Wellness, Kara worked in a high-intensity residential substance use treatment setting, providing individual, group, and family counseling to adult men with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health concerns. She also led psychoeducational groups and worked closely with a multidisciplinary treatment team. In addition, Kara has experience supporting older adults with progressive neurocognitive disorders, such as those due to Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, as well as their caregivers. These experiences have strengthened her ability to support clients navigating complex concerns with sensitivity to their individual needs, strengths, and experiences.

Kara earned her M.A. in Counseling from Wake Forest University and her B.A. in Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin. She also holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from George Mason University. Prior to entering the counseling field, Kara provided organizational consulting and research services primarily to government clients. She also taught as an adjunct professor at Marymount University.

Outside of work, Kara enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, traveling, attending live music events, and watching movies.