Hello, I’m Cara McDowell, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 20 years of experience supporting couples as they heal, grow, and reconnect. I specialize in helping partners navigate relationship challenges, whether they are feeling emotionally distant, stuck in conflict, rebuilding after betrayal, or hoping to rekindle sexual intimacy. I serve as the lead therapist at Integrative Couples Therapy, where I work directly with clients and provide mentorship and consultation to our team.

Couples therapy is my passion. I guide partners in breaking free from painful cycles, restoring closeness, and cultivating a more secure and satisfying bond. My approach is trauma informed and based on Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFCT), an evidence-based model rooted in attachment theory, to help couples understand their emotions, express their needs, and turn toward each other with openness and care.

I work with many couples who are actively parenting, balancing professional responsibilities, and managing the ongoing demands of daily life. My focus is on helping them maintain good communication while strengthening their bond amid these stressors. I have a particular interest in working with neurodivergent couples and have completed specialized training in supporting relationships where one or both partners are impacted by ADHD.

I bring warmth, clarity, directness, and compassion to every session. Couples often share that they feel seen and understood—sometimes for the first time in a long time. I help each partner slow down, tune in, and interact in ways that foster trust, safety, clarity, and connection. Whether you are in crisis or simply looking to strengthen your relationship, I offer a steady, supportive presence and a path forward.

In addition to couples therapy, I work with individuals navigating stress, life transitions, infidelity, divorce, trauma, anxiety, depression, and ADHD. I provide a thoughtful and grounded space where healing and growth can unfold.

Outside of the therapy room, I’m a mom to three boys and a wife to my wonderful husband. I enjoy family dinners, walking our dog, and relaxing with a good book or a challenging puzzle.