Cara Baker, LSW, MSW
Hi! My name is Cara, and welcome to Mind Trek Counseling! I specialize in helping kids, teens, and young adults navigate life’s toughest challenges, including Trauma/PTSD, ADHD, and Anxiety. Whether you're part of the LGBTQIA+ community, neurodivergent, or just feeling stuck in a heavy season of life, I’m here to walk alongside you with warmth, understanding, and real strategies that work.
You might be feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or disconnected from yourself—and you're ready for something different. Maybe you want to feel more in control, find clarity in the chaos, heal from past trauma, or learn how to work with your ADHD instead of feeling like you are in a constant battle. Maybe you just want to feel joy again. You’re not alone. You're not looking for perfection; you’re looking for peace, purpose, and progress. If you're ready to explore who you are and who you want to become, I’m here to support you every step of the way. You deserve to feel understood, empowered, and whole!
A bit more about me,
I have a master’s degree in Social Work from Cleveland State University and am licensed in the state of Ohio. I specialize in trauma-informed care and use a range of approaches including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), CBT, DBT-informed strategies, and general talk therapy to support your healing process. My experience includes working with both youth and adults facing trauma, anxiety, depression, and ADHD.
What working with me looks like:
I take a person-centered, strengths-based approach, which means I focus on you. your values, your goals, and your unique strengths. Together, we’ll explore what’s working, what’s not, and how to move forward in a way that feels authentic and manageable. I bring a warm, grounded presence (and a light sense of humor when it fits) because I believe healing doesn’t have to feel heavy all the time. I offer psychoeducation to help you understand what’s happening beneath the surface, and I’m all about empowerment through helping you build confidence, clarity, and real tools for lasting change. I strive to create a space where you're encouraged to show up exactly as you are. Whether that means wrapped in a blanket, mid-snack, or still figuring out what you want to say, you're welcome here!
Get in Touch with Cara
My top three specialties are Anxiety, Neurodivergence, Trauma & PTSD, and Children & Teens,.
Anxiety
Anxiety can be exhausting and confusing, especially when it feels like it's in control of your life. I help clients understand the roots of their anxiety and learn skills to manage it with more ease. Using CBT, DBT-informed strategies, mindfulness, and psychoeducation, we explore how your thoughts, feelings, and body responses interact. Together, we build coping tools and ways to reduce anxiety's intensity so you can feel more grounded, present, and in charge.
ADHD/Autism Spectrum (neurodivergence)
Living with ADHD can feel overwhelming, especially when you're trying to keep up in a world that is not always designed for how your brain works. I take a strengths-based approach that focuses on helping you better understand yourself and what supports your success. We work together on practical tools for organization, focus, and emotional regulation, while also addressing any shame or self-doubt that may have built up over time. Your ADHD is part of you, and it deserves compassion, not criticism.
PTSD and Trauma
I understand trauma as something that can deeply affect how you view yourself, your relationships, and the world around you. My approach is trauma-informed and focused on creating a sense of safety and trust. I often use Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), grounding techniques, and psychoeducation to help you understand your responses and rebuild a sense of control. Healing takes time, and we move at a pace that feels right for you.
Child and Teen Therapy
Growing up comes with its own set of challenges, and sometimes children and teens need extra support to navigate big emotions, social pressures, or family changes. I provide a safe, nonjudgmental space where young clients can express themselves, build resilience, and develop healthy coping skills. Using play therapy, creative expression, and age-appropriate CBT techniques, we work on emotional regulation, self-esteem, and communication in a way that feels engaging and supportive. Whether it's anxiety, school struggles, behavioral concerns, or processing difficult experiences, I meet kids and teens where they are—helping them feel understood and empowered as they grow.