Pietruck Therapy Services
Therapy Services
Kara Williams, LMSW
(she/her/hers)
Where she studied:
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance
– Hope College
Master of Social Work
– University of Michigan
What she does at Pietruck Therapy Services
Psychotherapist
Location:
Ann Arbor, Saline & Virtual
Contact:
Meet Kara
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An Olympic gymnast
Do you have any secret talents?
I can stand on my head
What is your favorite place?
Floating in the water
What is your favorite way to move your body?
Dancing in my living room
What do you do for self-care/self-love?
Always make room for art
Who is your ideal client?
I enjoy working with teens and young adult populations as they expand their sense of self and explore their roles in family, school, and community systems. However, I work with folks from 6-60 and enjoy holding space for needs at any stage of life. Ideal clients don’t look, act, think, or feel in any certain way, they are folks committed to the dynamic process of their own journey.
Why do you like being a therapist?
I enjoy getting to hold space for the whole scope of human complexity. Maybe that sounds general and hoaky, but I had a theater professor in undergrad who said “we study the human story”, and I believe I continue to do that now. As a therapist, I’m confronted with individual need, individual pain and growth, while also helping those individuals connect to others on a universal or community level. The great paradox in storytelling, of any kind, says the more specific and unique, the more universal and relatable. I hold that truth in my practice every day. No one has the same experiences as someone else, but on a fundamental and emotional level, no one is alone.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
I wish people knew that therapy isn’t just for people going through crisis. Therapy is often helpful to establish healthy habits, work towards personal goals in any area, or to help build community and support systems. Daily living presents its own challenges and one doesn’t have to be in active crisis or experience active trauma to get something out of therapy.
What is something you’d like clients to know about you (or how you work)?
I often incorporate art into my practice. Sometimes words aren’t enough or vocal cords aren’t the way they want to come out. Communication starts with oneself and art can be a great way of giving permission to start the conversation.
What does success in therapy look like to you?
Success looks like commitment to the pursuit of personal goals. One person’s success can’t be compared to another – they’re not playing the same game, the scoreboard doesn’t look the same. A person’s investment in themselves as they navigate the world is a “success” in my book
What are your thoughts about the “stigma” of therapy?
I have hope that with more conversation, more vulnerability, more visibility, and more community, the fear that therapy is only for people who are “broken” or “disturbed” can be squashed. There are people in the world with higher mental health needs than others and therapy can be a vital part of their well-being, that’s not going away. It’s the ableist mentality that says, “that’s not me, I’m ‘normal’, I’m healthy” that gets in the way. The fear that the pain we feel means something’s wrong keeps people from asking for help. It’s a stigma I will continue to fight. Being human can be painful and we all need help sometimes. You’re not alone.
Why/How can people benefit from therapy?
People can benefit from therapy simply by committing to engaging with their emotional needs on a regular basis. One hour a week to check in with yourself. Carving out time for yourself can be a powerful thing.
Populations:
Kids (6+), Tweens, Teens, Young Adults, Adults & Families
Treatment Modalities:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment Theory
- Art based intervention
- Behavior Counseling
- Breath work
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Compassion Focused Therapy
- Creative Expression
- Creative Expression/Art Therapy
- Dance/Movement Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Expressive Therapy
- Family Systems
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Mindfulness and Meditation Coaching
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
- Strength-Based Therapy
- Trauma Informed Care
- Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Professional Specializations
- Anxiety
- Athletes/Former Athletes
- Bullying
- Coping Skills
- Cultivating Joy
- Depression
- Educators
- Emotional Regulation
- Empowerment-Based
- Finding Your Truth
- Folx Trying to Break Generational Cycles
- Grief and Loss
- HAES (Health At Every Size)
- Healers and Healthcare Workers
- Identity Discovery, Loss, Building
- Intimate partner violence (IPV) and Sexual Assault Survivors
- LGBTQIA2S+ and Questioning Folx
- Life Transitions
- Mindfulness
- Other Helping Professionals and Fellow Therapists
- Parenting
- Personal Empowerment
- Professionals and Entrepreneurs
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Relationships
- Self-Esteem
- Self-Harming and Suicidal Ideation
- Sexual Harassment
- Social Skills
- Stress
- Trauma
- Women’s Health
- Work/Life Balance
Kara Williams, LMSW
(she/her/hers)
Where she studied:
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Performance
– Hope College
Master of Social Work
– University of Michigan
What she does at Pietruck Therapy Services
Psychotherapist
Location:
Ann Arbor, Saline & Virtual
Contact:
Meet Kara
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
An Olympic gymnast
Do you have any secret talents?
I can stand on my head
What is your favorite place?
Floating in the water
What is your favorite way to move your body?
Dancing in my living room
What do you do for self-care/self-love?
Always make room for art
Who is your ideal client?
I enjoy working with teens and young adult populations as they expand their sense of self and explore their roles in family, school, and community systems. However, I work with folks from 6-60 and enjoy holding space for needs at any stage of life. Ideal clients don’t look, act, think, or feel in any certain way, they are folks committed to the dynamic process of their own journey.
Why do you like being a therapist?
I enjoy getting to hold space for the whole scope of human complexity. Maybe that sounds general and hoaky, but I had a theater professor in undergrad who said “we study the human story”, and I believe I continue to do that now. As a therapist, I’m confronted with individual need, individual pain and growth, while also helping those individuals connect to others on a universal or community level. The great paradox in storytelling, of any kind, says the more specific and unique, the more universal and relatable. I hold that truth in my practice every day. No one has the same experiences as someone else, but on a fundamental and emotional level, no one is alone.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
I wish people knew that therapy isn’t just for people going through crisis. Therapy is often helpful to establish healthy habits, work towards personal goals in any area, or to help build community and support systems. Daily living presents its own challenges and one doesn’t have to be in active crisis or experience active trauma to get something out of therapy.
What is something you’d like clients to know about you (or how you work)?
I often incorporate art into my practice. Sometimes words aren’t enough or vocal cords aren’t the way they want to come out. Communication starts with oneself and art can be a great way of giving permission to start the conversation.
What does success in therapy look like to you?
Success looks like commitment to the pursuit of personal goals. One person’s success can’t be compared to another – they’re not playing the same game, the scoreboard doesn’t look the same. A person’s investment in themselves as they navigate the world is a “success” in my book
What are your thoughts about the “stigma” of therapy?
I have hope that with more conversation, more vulnerability, more visibility, and more community, the fear that therapy is only for people who are “broken” or “disturbed” can be squashed. There are people in the world with higher mental health needs than others and therapy can be a vital part of their well-being, that’s not going away. It’s the ableist mentality that says, “that’s not me, I’m ‘normal’, I’m healthy” that gets in the way. The fear that the pain we feel means something’s wrong keeps people from asking for help. It’s a stigma I will continue to fight. Being human can be painful and we all need help sometimes. You’re not alone.
Why/How can people benefit from therapy?
People can benefit from therapy simply by committing to engaging with their emotional needs on a regular basis. One hour a week to check in with yourself. Carving out time for yourself can be a powerful thing.
Populations:
Kids (6+), Tweens, Teens, Young Adults, Adults & Families
Treatment Modalities:
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Attachment Theory
- Art based intervention
- Behavior Counseling
- Breath work
- Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
- Compassion Focused Therapy
- Creative Expression
- Creative Expression/Art Therapy
- Dance/Movement Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Expressive Therapy
- Family Systems
- Meditation
- Mindfulness
- Mindfulness and Meditation Coaching
- Motivational Interviewing
- Narrative Therapy
- Person-Centered Therapy
- Play Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT)
- Strength-Based Therapy
- Trauma Informed Care
- Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Professional Specializations
- Anxiety
- Athletes/Former Athletes
- Bullying
- Coping Skills
- Cultivating Joy
- Depression
- Educators
- Emotional Regulation
- Empowerment-Based
- Finding Your Truth
- Folx Trying to Break Generational Cycles
- Grief and Loss
- HAES (Health At Every Size)
- Healers and Healthcare Workers
- Identity Discovery, Loss, Building
- Intimate partner violence (IPV) and Sexual Assault Survivors
- LGBTQIA2S+ and Questioning Folx
- Life Transitions
- Mindfulness
- Other Helping Professionals and Fellow Therapists
- Parenting
- Personal Empowerment
- Professionals and Entrepreneurs
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Relationships
- Self-Esteem
- Self-Harming and Suicidal Ideation
- Sexual Harassment
- Social Skills
- Stress
- Trauma
- Women’s Health
- Work/Life Balance
Background
During her training, she studied Interpersonal (clinical) social work with a focus in Youth and Families. Kara has previous training and work experience in crisis intervention, supporting homeless and runaway youth, and their families. She has worked in residential settings with both minors and young adults providing individual, family, and group therapy, as well as case management. Kara holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts and is currently enrolled in The Chicago Center For Creative Arts Therapy, studying to become a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist. Fun fact, previous to social work, Kara was a competitive gymnast, then a competitive gymnastics coach for many years. She can often be found doing headstands in her office.
