Experience working with children

Teaching and mentoring young children has been a passion for of mine throughout my life. I have been blessed to have raised two beautiful children and I have worked in primary education for over 12 years. Throughout my years of teaching, I have continued my education with post graduate work in the areas of academic struggles, cognitive development, play-based theory, social-emotional learning, and trauma informed teaching. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work closely with many children and families with diverse backgrounds , experiencing struggles academically, socially and emotionally that are common in the early childhood years. When I am not seeing clients at Emery Counseling, I am working as an elementary school teacher in the Poudre School District.

Session Approach

In my practice, I take a child centered approach and utilize a trauma informed perspective. It is my goal to help children to identify emotions and develop strategies for working through them. Utilizing child centered play, with toys, music and art, allows children to express themselves in a safe and caring environment that is developmentally appropriate. Play helps children to find pathways to communicate their thoughts, experiences, and emotions, which may be difficult for them to articulate in a traditional “talking” session.  As children are able to express their inner feelings, through the modality that works best for them, they release stress and are then, capable of learning new coping skills to regulate their emotions and behavior.

Kara Lyons works with children up to 12 years old, as well as provides parental coaching to develop a cohesive parenting plan that you can implement with success at home.

Self Care

In my free time I enjoy being in nature and participating in activities that help me find balance and to center myself. I also enjoy  the laughter and joy that come from spending time with family and friends. Working in my garden, hiking, river rafting, and riding horses are among my favorite outdoor activities. While during the colder months, I unwind with exercise such as yoga and Jazzercise.