Call to Schedule A Consultation: (319)-259-8410
How Can I Help You?
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about
Cara Cerullo, Ed.D., LCSW, CADC
I am a Licensed Independent Social Worker in the State of Iowa and Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Illinois. I am an Iowa native, but lived in the State of Illinois for seventeen years prior to returning to my roots in 2025. I am a University of Iowa alumni and received my Doctorate degree in Education in 2025 from Western Illinois University. I have been working as a social work professional for over twenty years with focus on mental health, substance abuse concerns, higher education leadership, suicide prevention and crisis postvention services.
Compassionate Growth Therapy offers individual therapy for young adults and adults experiencing anxiety, depression, grief and loss, burnout, and stress related to life transitions. Services focus on compassionate support, emotional processing, holistic healing and personal growth through individualized, evidence-based care.
I use a variety of approaches including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindful Self-Compassion, Motivational Interviewing, Strengths Based and Solution-Focused. I am currently exploring the use of Somatic Therapy in practice. I believe clients should feel validated and cared for in difficult seasons of their life. I compassionately come alongside individuals during their therapeutic journey and empower individuals to meet their therapeutic goals.
Outside of my professional role, I am deeply grounded in my personal relationships and well-being. I value maintaining balance through regular exercise, spending time with my family and friends, sharing time with my animals, attending live music, and traveling.
my credentials:
Licensed Independent Social Worker (State of IA)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (State of IL)
Doctorate of Education, Western Illinois University
MSW, University of Iowa
find the answers you’re looking for
Frequently Ask Questions
Therapy is an opportunity to share your life experience, pain or suffering, with a non-judgmental licensed mental health professional. Therapy allows individuals an opportunity to explore feelings or experiences, gain insight, develop effective coping strategies and offer healing from life’s challenges.
Therapy sessions are often 45-55 minutes in length. Frequency and duration of therapy is determined by individual needs and treatment goals. Most individuals will start with weekly therapy and decrease as goals are met to support maintenance.
I currently accept Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield or self-pay. Co-pays are charged immediately following the session. Typical cost for 50-minute therapy session for clients who are private-pay is $200.
I offer a free 15-minute consultation to determine if we are a good match for a therapeutic partnership. Contact me via the link below to schedule your consultation and to schedule an appointment.
I currently see clients virtually through a secure, HIPPA compliant platform across the State of Iowa or the State of Illinois. My practice is currently located in North Liberty, Iowa.
Grief and Loss:
Perhaps you're someone who is trying to move forward, but part of you feels like you’re still standing in the moment everything changed.
Maybe you’ve lost someone you love, or you're grieving a relationship, a life you expected to have, or a version of yourself that no longer feels possible. People may expect you to be “moving on,” but grief doesn’t follow a timeline. Some days you feel okay; other days, the loss feels just as raw as it did in the beginning.
I help people navigate grief and loss without rushing the process or trying to “fix” what can’t be fixed. Together, we can make space for the sadness, anger, uncertainty, and complicated emotions that come with loss while finding ways to carry your grief and continue building a meaningful life.
Burnout:
You’re tired—but resting doesn’t seem to fix it. You keep showing up, getting things done, and taking care of everyone else, but you're running on empty.
You are a woman who has become overwhelmed by work, school, relationships, caregiving, or the pressure to keep everything together. You may be functioning well on the outside while feeling disconnected, irritable, exhausted, or simply done on the inside. You remember when life felt lighter, but you're not sure how to get back there.
I help people recognize when stress has become more than they can sustainably carry. Together, we can identify what’s draining you, reconnect with what matters, establish healthier boundaries, and develop a more sustainable way of moving through life.
Beyond these primary areas of focus, I work with individuals navigating anxiety, depression, and the stress that can accompany life transitions. I also have a particular interest and specialized skill set in supporting individuals who are struggling with substance use, approaching this work with curiosity, compassion, and without judgment.
Yes. What you share in therapy is private and treated with care and respect. I want therapy to feel like a safe space where you can be honest, ask difficult questions, and talk openly without fear of judgment.There are a few legal and ethical exceptions to confidentiality, such as situations involving an immediate risk of serious harm or suspected abuse or neglect of a child or vulnerable adult. These limits will be explained during your first session so you understand what to expect.
Therapy is an unbiased, non-judgmental environment to gain support, explore your feelings and navigate potentially unhealthy thought patterns or behaviors. You and your therapist will identify goals that are unique to your presenting concerns and develop an action plan to work towards achieving your goals, ultimately improving your overall well-being. Oftentimes you can expect therapy to improve your relationship with yourself, and your connection to others.
The approach is often catered to the needs of the client and their presenting concerns. However, I strive to be an open, authentic therapist who emphasizes the importance of connection between client and therapist. You can expect that I will use humor in healing. Additionally, I use compassionate challenges and may be more direct in therapeutic interactions than other therapists. While this approach works for some, it does not work for all. We can discuss what approach works best for you and either adapt, or support a referral to a therapist that may be a better fit for you. I am a strong believer in therapeutic fit.
Sometimes life becomes difficult in ways we don't expect—and struggling doesn't mean something is wrong with you. Therapy can be a space to slow down, make sense of what you're experiencing, and better understand what you need. You don't have to wait until things feel unbearable to reach out.
speaking engagments
Start a Conversation That Matters
Dr. Cara Cerullo is an experienced conference presenter and facilitator with expertise in delivering engaging, evidence-informed presentations for mental health professionals and higher education leaders. She has presented on a wide range of topics, including self-compassion, organizational burnout prevention, suicide prevention and community postvention, grief and loss, ethics, and clinical supervision.
Dr. Cerullo collaborates with organizations to develop presentations tailored to their specific goals and audience needs. Her interactive presentation style combines current research with practical application, equipping participants with meaningful strategies they can immediately apply in their professional settings.
She offers high-quality, affordable professional development opportunities for small groups, academic institutions, counseling centers, healthcare organizations, and other teams seeking practical, research-based training.
