Keara Tolnay, Therapy Intern

Meet Keara, Therapy Intern

Hello! My name is Keara, and I am a graduate student at the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville. I’m a Louisville native who has spent much of my life in Southern Indiana, and giving back to the community I call home has always been important to me.

My experience has allowed me to support people across a variety of settings and stages of life. I’ve worked with middle and high school students in Louisville’s Smoketown community through an afterschool program focused on violence prevention and building confidence. I’ve also worked in eating disorder treatment settings, providing direct and administrative support.

Community involvement has been an important part of both my personal and professional journey. I have volunteered as an Emergency Shelter Advocate, supporting survivors of interpersonal violence, and as a mentor for youth through a local LGBTQIA+-focused organization. These experiences have continued to shape my desire to create spaces where people feel heard, respected, and supported.

My passion is being a compassionate, nonjudgmental presence for others as they explore what it means to live as their authentic selves. I’m especially drawn to supporting people who may feel overwhelmed by stress, past experiences, identity, or the transitions happening around them. I don’t believe the goal is always to make difficult experiences disappear. Sometimes, the work is learning to understand yourself, respond differently to what comes up, and feel more grounded and present in your own life.

I work with children, adolescents, young adults, and adults, with a particular passion for supporting LGBTQIA+, disabled, and neurodivergent communities. My clinical studies have included trauma, identity development, life transitions, advocacy, and navigating the stress and overwhelm that can come with everyday life.

At the heart of my work is creating a space where people can show up as they are, explore what matters to them, and feel supported as they navigate change, challenges, and a deeper understanding of themselves. It is meaningful to do this work within the community that has shaped so much of who I am.

Outside of the therapy space, I’m a cat parent to two loving kitties who are very chaotic—in the best way.