Kara Merrill, M.A, LPC, NCC

• Provide compassion based therapy to adults seeking treatment for disordered eating and other mental health and relational concerns.
• Collaborate with clients to identify their goals for therapy and develop strategies for achieving meaningful changes.
• Effectively maintain caseload of 25 sessions per week using evidenced based cognitive and somatic models of therapy.
• Work with interdisciplinary treatment team to develop treatment plans and assist client in reaching their goals.

• Provided individual and family therapy to adolescents and adults effected by eating disorders as well as a wide range of other mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, and trauma.
• Effectively maintained a caseload of over 25 sessions per week using a variety of evidence based treatment modalities.
• Collaborated with an interdisciplinary treatment team to develop treatment plans and review patient progress at the Intensive Outpatient level of care.
• Developed curriculum for a weekly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy group for an Adolescent IOP focused on Eating Disorder Recovery
• Launched a weekly support and skills building group for adults with Binge Eating Disorder
• Aided in transitioning in-person individual and group therapy services (both OP and IOP) to telehealth services during COVID-19 Crisis

• Provided individual and family therapy sessions to patients with eating disorders and a wide range of other mental heath issues in both an outpatient setting and intensive outpatient program.
• Worked closely with a multi-disciplinary team of professionals (physicians, dieticians, psychiatrists and other therapists) to provide comprehensive care to patients and families.
• Led therapy groups including healthy body image development and an eating disorders support groups for girls and women of all ages.
• Educated parents/families on the process of recovery from disordered eating and the psychological and medical consequences caused by Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and other types of eating disorders.
• Maintained accurate and thoroughly documented notes and client records in accordance with licensing standards.

Presentations and Professional Organizations

• Poster presentation at The 2012 International Conference on Eating Disorders presented by the Academy of Eating Disorders (Austin, TX) Poster title- “Eating Disorder Treatment Among the Asian Indian Population: Cultural Differences, Unique Challenges, and Clinical Implications.
• Charter member of the Houston Eating Disorder Specialists, a multidisciplinary group of professionals from the greater Houston area committed to excellence in the treatment of eating disorders
• Member of International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (IAEDP)

• Provided individual, couple, and family therapy sessions to clients of all ages who experienced a wide range of mental health concerns including anxiety, mood disorders, and difficulty with life transitions.
• Conducted therapy groups on a variety of topics for adults and adolescents including effective parenting, enhancing a marriage relationship, developing a health body image and self esteem.
• Maintained detailed documentation notes on clients’ individual counseling goals, treatment plans, and progress in therapy.
• Lead presentations for The Woodlands United Methodist Church (on healthy communication in marriage) and other community centers such as The Pregnancy Assistance Center North (educating volunteer counselors on domestic violence)
• Received weekly supervision from a PhD, Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, and Registered Play Therapist.

• Provided intensive school and home-based individual and family therapy to children and adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral disorders.
• Worked closely with family members, teachers, and other school employees to offer comprehensive care to clients
• Developed detailed treatment plans consisting of individualized goals for therapy and objectives to reach those goals.
• Effectively monitored and documented each client’s progress through daily case notes and activity logs
• Received weekly supervision from a Licensed Psychologist and Registered Play Therapy Supervisor.