“There are people who touch our lives at certain points on our journey. Some people enter our lives and we are forever changed and grateful for having met them. Kara is one of those people for me. It was during a time of deep personal crisis and turmoil that I found Kara. I knew I wanted to chart a new path in my life’s journey, but did not know how to begin. I was depressed, anxious, and hopeless, but desperately wanted to make a change.
I did not have the emotional arsenal, nor did I understand my patterns and the process of how to change my response to my circumstances. This is where Kara’s gift lies. She helped me develop an arsenal to deal with the joys, the sorrows, relationships, and everyday challenges that one faces in life, as well as transforming my body in the process. The body and mind are very powerful and when they heal simultaneously, it’s magic.
Kara not only dedicated her time and passion to me while in a session, but also followed up with me during the week to track my cardio progress, food intake, and to check in. She has written me meal plans, recipes, and cardio workouts. She has been by my side through my whole journey and shares in my successes with as much enthusiasm as I do. My journey has not always been easy and there have been times I would break, but Kara is always there to lift me up and keep me going.
Kara has been extremely valuable in helping me identify and build on my strengths. With her support, I have also learned how to target areas to work on allowing for more personal growth.
She is an integral part of my team that supports me in my quest for a sound and healthy mind, body and spirit. Kara has been a true blessing in my life, helping me to maintain my balance and embrace my new beginnings. I am a completely new person and no longer cringe when I look in the mirror or fear leaving the house because of her. I have lost almost 100 pounds and my endurance and physical ability have surpassed my expectations. I have never looked or felt better physically and emotionally as I do today. Before Kara I would look in the mirror and cry in despair, now I cry tears of happiness and amazement of how much I changed externally and internally. Kara gave me a new life and I am forever grateful.”
“Kara is the perfect combination of strong and kind, and she works with the whole person — mentally, emotionally and physically. I can do things now I would have never dreamed of attempting before my journey with Kara.”
“~Tara, Age 36 (Kenilworth, NJ) “
Hi!
I’m Kara,
Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) & Certified Personal Trainer in Mountainside, New Jersey. As a counselor, personal trainer, and fitness nutrition specialist, I am uniquely qualified to help you find lasting solutions to your emotional problems and work with you to optimize your physical health.
I’ve always been a fitness enthusiast and found exercise and running effective in helping me manage stress which would always show up through anxiety. After I became a mother, my anxiety heightened. I no longer had the time or energy to spend the same amount of time working out as before my kids. I needed to find a better balance with my exercise, nutrition, sleep, and social relationships in order to be my best self for me and my family.
With my unique background, I realize the limitations of therapy alone for someone struggling with anxiety and depression. Since our problems are multilayered, they require an approach that considers the whole individual. Therefore, to optimize both physical and emotional well being we need to deal with the mind as well as the body.
As a teacher, school counselor, and personal trainer, I’ve had the experience and opportunity of working with individuals to promote their emotional and physical health. Many of my clients battle anxiety and/or depression and have to overcome many emotional and physical hurdles through our journey together.
I tailor my approach directly to each individual’s needs and utilize mindfulness techniques to help people embrace the moment and help them focus on the present. We will work together to foster the mind and body connection and understand how much of an impact they have on one another. I also utilize CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) to assist clients in becoming aware of manipulating thoughts and replacing them with more positive and productive thinking patterns and behaviors.
I am passionate about helping others who may be experiencing challenging situations in life by developing a comprehensive plan to obtain the necessary skills to promote personal growth and a happy and fulfilling life.
“My story is probably a bit different…
In the beginning of 2017 I was in the best shape of my life. Then I was struck with an illness that caused me to lose 30 pounds (on a 5’9” frame with a usual weight of 135, this was a tremendous amount of weight). I lost every bit of muscle and looked like skin and bones, I thought I was dying. I wouldn’t leave the house because of how I looked and even size 0 clothing was hanging off me. After about three monthsI finally started recovering. I was still so embarrassed of my body that I took a leave from work. People would say to me “I would love to have that problem”. I am here to say that gaining weight when you have been very sick is very hard and takes a lot of hard work.
I started working out with Kara because she was the only person I was comfortable with and who I would let see me. We started very slow and she worked on nutrition and building muscle so I didn’t lose anymore weight. Within a month I started to see results and began to have hope. Kara gave me hope, something I didn’t have before. She is understanding, patient, concerned about anything that might be hurting you, and you getting the proper nutrition to reach your goal, regardless of whether that is losing weight or gaining weight. The first thing she asks me before we work out is, “What did you eat?”
Kara has been a lifesaver to me. She is my friend, my therapist, and a badass personal trainer. I don’t know what I would do without her. She has never judged me and has understood my journey is different than most.
I am so happy to say that I have gained back almost all of my weight (and muscle), and am finally able to do cardio again. Kara saved my life period.”
~Doris, Age 50 (Union, NJ)
“Kara got me ready for my wedding dress in less than six months! I have spent 3 years trying to workout on my own and have even been to other trainers. I couldn’t find the motivation or the right trainer for me until I found Kara! Now I feel more beautiful, confident, and stronger than ever. Kara listened to what was important to me, and our training sessions suited my individual needs. I owe my progress and transformation to her.”