Kara Kushnir

My approach is down to earth, genuine, and supportive. 

To me, modern therapy is about real people having real conversations; so while I use evidence-based clinical practices, I make therapy feel like coffee with a good friend who helps guide you towards solutions to your problems for the world we live in today.

With kids, my approach involves me meeting them where they are at, including playing on the floor, drawing, playing games, or simply providing the safety they need. 

I don't believe in a "one size fits all" approach to therapy - I take an eclectic, relational and person-centered approach to each client whether child, teen, mom-to-be, or adult!

Kara has extensive experience and specialization the following areas:

• Anxiety Disorders
• OCD (children, teens, perinatal) & I-CBT/ERP
• SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions)
• EMDR for medical trauma, relational trauma, and healing from childhood abuse or neglect
• Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
• Postpartum & Women's Mental Health
• Birth Trauma
• Traumatic Loss
• Complex Trauma
• Grief
• Parenting
• Healing Childhood Trauma
• Child & Adolescent Mental Health
• Families of Individuals with Disabilities (Parents/Siblings)
• Neurodivergence 

Kara completed her Master of Social Work (MSW) Degree from Rutgers University where she focused on clinical social work practice and earned a certificate in health and aging studies. She has completed post-graduate training and completed certifications in Child & Adolescent Mental Health (Rutgers University), is Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International, and has completed extensive training in Exposure and Response Prevention through the Cognitive Behavior Institute in PA.  She is certified in EMDR through the EMDR International Association.

Kara is also trained in SPACE by Dr. Eli Leibowitz at the Yale Child Study Center.

Kara is also an approved clinical supervisor in New Jersey. 

Boards, Memberships & Achievements:

• NJ Kids Top Doc 2020-2025, NJ Family Magazine
• Citizen of the Year, 2024, MRCC
• People to Watch in Healthcare, 2025, NJBiz
• Healthcare Hero Award, 2024, NJBiz
• Board of Advisors, Griffin Cares Foundation
• Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM Collaborative), Advisory Committee, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute & The NJ Department of Health
• Consultant, Postpartum Support International NJ, 2025-2026
• Chair of the Board, 2024-2025, Postpartum Support International - NJ
• Chair of Education & Training, 2023-2024, Postpartum Support International - NJ
• Former Member & Chair of Public Policy, NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities
• Member, National Association of Social Workers
• Member, National Association of Perinatal Social Workers
• Member, National Association of Social Workers
• Member, American Society of Reproductive Medicine
• Member, EMDR International Association
• Member, Mahwah Rockland Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Member, Bergen County Professional Women’s Network
• Member, Perinatal Professionals of North Jersey
• Graduate, Partners in Policy Making, NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities
• Member, Phi Alpha, National Social Work Honor Society

Certifications & Trainings:

• Certified in Perinatal Mental Health, Postpartum Support International
• EMDR-Certified, EMDRIA
• Certified in Mental Health First Aid & Youth Mental Health First Aid
• Post-Graduate Certificate in Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Rutgers School of Social Work
• CPI, Crisis Intervention Training, March 2016
• SIFI Certified, Rutgers University Graduate School of Social Work
• Approved Clinical Supervisor, Board of Social Work Examiners/NASW NJ
• Field Supervisor 2018-2020, Ramapo College
• Trained in ERP, Cognitive Behavior Institute
• Trained in I-CBT, OCD Training School