Therapy for High-Functioning Adults Feeling Stuck or Overwhelmed

You’ve built a successful life. You might be outwardly calm and capable, yet still carry perfectionism, people-pleasing, or shame that never seems to fade. You feel tense, anxious, or never quite “enough.” If you grew up in an alcoholic, chaotic, or emotionally unpredictable family, those old dynamics can quietly shape you.
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About

Virtual Therapy Across Maryland

What I Offer I offer private pay online therapy in Maryland for professionals, caregivers, and high-functioning adults who are ready to do deep, lasting work. I help successful, thoughtful adults understand and heal the emotional impact of growing up in a family marked by addiction, chaos, or emotional neglect. Who I Work With I work with adults who appear capable and successful but feel a quiet dissatisfaction inside. My clients often navigate relationship conflict, family-of-origin wounds, or cycles of codependency and perfectionism. They are ready to stop running on autopilot, understand themselves on a deeper level, and create healthier relationships with others and with themselves. Specialities I work with adults who want to: Heal from childhood emotional neglect, addiction, or dysfunction Address perfectionism, people-pleasing, and burnout Break free from family-of-origin patterns Reduce shame, anxiety, and self-criticism Strengthen boundaries and emotional safety Build self-compassion and inner calm My Approach Our work focuses on identifying patterns that no longer serve you and healing the roots beneath them. I integrate Attachment Theory, EMDR Therapy, and Inner Child Work informed by Pia Mellody’s Post Induction Model. I also draw from Kelly McDaniel’s work on mother-daughter relationships, High Conflict Institute approaches for coparenting and relationship dynamics, and trauma-informed care influenced by Diana Fosha’s AEDP model. Sessions are collaborative, compassionate, and grounded in curiosity and respect for your story. About Me I became a therapist after my own transformative experience in therapy, and I understand the courage it takes to do this work. Before becoming a counselor, I worked in nonprofit operations and corporate account management. I grew up in the rural Midwest and now call the DMV home. Outside of work, I love exploring coffee shops, playing card games, and reading nonfiction. Heart Centered Therapy is a safe, affirming space for LGBTQ+ clients and people from diverse backgrounds. Sessions I offer virtual therapy for adults in Maryland, including Frederick and Montgomery Counties, as well as the greater DMV region. Sessions are 50 minutes and conducted through secure telehealth. I am a private pay therapist and do not accept insurance, but I can provide a SuperBill for out-of-network reimbursement. Contact I’d love to hear from you. Email me to schedule a free 15-minute consultation: Kara@HeartCenteredTherapyLLC.com
Kara Holthaus, MA, LCPC
Heart Centered Therapy LLC

Services

I help people struggling with...

  • Codependency
  • People-pleasing
  • Over-functioning
  • Boundaries
  • Burnout
  • Compassion Fatigue
  • Parentification
  • Emotional Abuse
  • Emotionally Immature Parents
  • Relational Trauma
  • Trauma
  • Mother-Daugher Relationship
  • Adult Child of Alcoholics (ACA/ACoA)

Approaches

  • Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
  • High Conflict Institute techniques
  • Compassion Focused Therapy
  • Attachment-Based
  • Trauma Focused
  • Culturally Sensitive
  • Interpersonal Process Theory (IPP)
  • Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB)
  • Family Systems
  • Mother relationship work informed by Kelly McDaniel
  • Inner child work informed by Pia Mellody

Fees

  • Telehealth, 50-55 minutes: $160
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