About Cara McDonald
Clientele seen
Teenagers (13-17)
Individuals
Young adults (18-24)
Adults (25-64)
Treatment approaches
Coaching
Culturally Sensitive
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Dialectical (DBT)
Compassion Focused
Emotionally Focused
Identity
Gender
FemaleLanguages spoken
English
Getting to know Cara McDonald
Cara McDonald is a licensed psychotherapist who works with teens and adults facing a range of challenges, including anxiety, depression, life transitions, relationship difficulties, family concerns, and stress related to work or school.
She holds master’s degrees in counseling from both the University of Alabama and the University of Georgia. Cara’s therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and solution-oriented. She incorporates evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, mindfulness techniques, and DBT-informed skills. When working with couples, she draws from the Gottman Method to foster trust, improve communication, and strengthen connection.
Cara brings extensive experience in working with adolescents and families, helping teens manage emotional and academic struggles and guiding families in rebuilding communication and connection. She has also facilitated individual and group therapy in addiction recovery settings, providing structure, empathy, and support during each stage of the healing process.
Before transitioning into the mental health field, Cara spent several years in corporate sales and leadership. Her background gives her unique insight into the realities of high-pressure environments, burnout, and professional identity shifts—making her especially attuned to the needs of clients navigating career stress or transitions.
At Perimeter Behavioral Health, Cara blends clinical knowledge with real-world perspective to help clients gain clarity, build resilience, and create meaningful, lasting change.
What should a new client know about working with you?
Clients describe me as warm, grounded, and direct. I’m not a passive therapist…I’m collaborative, engaged, and focused on helping you create real change, not just vent. My style blends supportive conversation with practical strategies you can use immediately. You’ll always know you’re in a safe, nonjudgmental space, but you’ll also be gently challenged when needed. I specialize in anxiety, life transitions, self-esteem, relationships, and addiction recovery, and I tailor every session to your goals, pace, and personality. I believe therapy should feel like clarity, relief, and progress
What is your typical process for working with clients?
My process is structured but flexible. In our first session, I focus on understanding your history, symptoms, and goals so we can map out a clear plan together. From there, we meet weekly or biweekly depending on your needs. I integrate evidence-based approaches such as CBT, solution-focused work, and psychoeducation, along with deeper exploration of patterns, attachment, and coping. Each session includes insight work and practical tools you can use between sessions. We regularly check in on what’s working, adjust the plan, and make sure you’re moving toward feeling calmer, stronger, and more connected in your daily life.
Cara McDonald, APC is not in-network with any insurances
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Ongoing session: $175-205 for 60 minutes
More information on payments and coverage
Cara does not accept insurance and therefore is considered an “out-of-network provider”. However, many clients are able to receive out-of-network reimbursement from their insurance company. We can provide a superbill for out-of-network clients to facilitate direct reimbursement for treatment. We encourage you to contact your insurance company to inquire about out-of-network benefits. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out – we're happy to assist in making care affordable.
Office location
Cara McDonald, APC also offers online video visits for patients
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- The University of Alabama, Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- University of Georgia, Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
How soon can I make an appointment with Cara McDonald?
Generally, Cara McDonald has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Cara McDonald's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Cara McDonald accepting new patients?
Cara McDonald generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Cara McDonald's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Cara McDonald accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Cara McDonald is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Cara McDonald online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Cara McDonald using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Cara McDonald work with?
Cara McDonald works with Perimeter Behavioral Health.
Where is Cara McDonald's office located?
Cara McDonald has 2 office locations in Atlanta, view full addresses on Cara McDonald's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Cara McDonald?
Cara McDonald frequently sees patients for New Patient Visit, Pain Management Consultation, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Cara McDonald on their profile.
What languages does Cara McDonald speak?
Cara McDonald speaks English.