April 27, 2025 • 16 mins
What makes Kara Zimmerman with Kara Zimmerman, Psychotherapist a good neighbor?
Loneliness has become a silent epidemic, often hiding in plain sight within our communities. Psychotherapist Kara Zimmerman pulls back the curtain on this crisis, sharing profound insights from her 28 years as a licensed marriage and family therapist. What she reveals is both heartbreaking and hopeful: many of her clients—smart, kind people with tremendous value—feel completely unseen and unknown outside her office.
"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable," Zimmerman quotes, highlighting the transformative power of genuine listening. She challenges us to put down our phones, ask better questions, and create spaces where people can tell their stories. Through her own experience relocating to Colorado Springs and feeling profoundly isolated, Zimmerman demonstrates how intentional neighbor connections changed everything—from organizing potlucks to celebrating food holidays and hosting driveway gatherings during COVID.
The science backs her approach: research shows knowing just six neighbors is linked to lower rates of depression and social anxiety. Zimmerman offers practical wisdom for fostering these connections—walk your neighborhood, show interest in others, sit in your front yard instead of the backyard, and most importantly, "go first" in reaching out. Her message transcends therapy itself, reminding us that while counseling provides essential support, our daily interactions and neighborhood connections might be the most powerful medicine for our collective mental health. Ready to transform your community? Start by being curious, not judgmental, and remember that authentic connection often begins right next door.
To learn more about Kara Zimmerman, Psychotherapist go to:
https://www.karalzimmerman.com/
Kara Zimmerman, Psychotherapist
630-306-2319
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Tony Hills.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Are you looking for aprofessional counselor or
marriage and family therapist?
One might be closer than youthink.
Today I have the pleasure ofintroducing our good neighbor,
kara Zimmerman.
Psychotherapist Kara, how's itgoing?
Speaker 3 (00:27):
It's going really well.
Thank you so much.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Awesome, we're excited to have you on the show,
so tell us about your business.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Thank you.
I'm a therapist.
I'm a licensed marriage andfamily therapist and a licensed
professional counselor.
I have my own solo counselingpractice near downtown in the
Old North End area.
I've been a therapist for about28 years, first in Illinois and
then for the last 10 years herein the Springs.
(00:54):
I am honored to get to walkalongside people in their
journeys through grief and loss,life transitions and stresses,
spiritual issues, relationshipissues, abuse, depression and
anxiety those types of things.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Okay, awesome.
How did you get into thisbusiness?
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Yeah, well, growing up, I was always really curious
about relationships.
Okay, some people might saythat I was nosy about
relationships.
I was always wondering aboutcouples and marriages and
families and friendships, whythey got along, why didn't they
get along, what their storieswere.
(01:38):
And so when I was in college,as an undergrad, I chose to
study sociology looking atpeople in their context of
family or relationships, gender,culture, history, religion,
that type of thing.
And then I learned that therewas a field called marriage and
family therapy and I chose toget my master's degree in that
(01:59):
specialization.
I chose to get my master'sdegree in that specialization
because it also looks at peoplewithin their context and in
their systems.
It's not just looking atindividuals and problems inside
of them.
So I like that.
I found that hopeful andfascinating, okay that's awesome
(02:19):
.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
What are some myths or misconceptions in your
industry?
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Yeah, I wish people could see seeking counseling or
needing counseling as a sign ofstrength instead of a sign of
weakness.
I think the negative stigma ofcounseling is lessening, which
is good.
Also, counseling isn't forpeople who are crazy.
It's for anyone who wouldbenefit from extra support or an
(02:43):
outsider who is objective tohelp them through something that
they're struggling with orstuck in.
I have many clients who I'vebeen seeing for a long time.
We work through something, theykeep growing and then, when the
next something comes up, theyhave the tools and they have me
as a resource to help them.
(03:11):
It's the honor of my life tohave meaningful relationships
with my clients, to bring outtheir strengths, to encourage
and challenge them and to get tobe with them in the sorrows and
joys of life.
I'm very concerned, though,about the increased loneliness
and isolation, depression andlack of connection that I see in
our community and in ourcountry.
It feels like sometimes I'm themain person that some of my
(03:33):
clients talk to, who they sharetheir life and struggles with or
even they see on a regularbasis.
My clients are amazing, smart,kind people with a lot to offer,
but some of them that I've metwith for over the years, they
feel like nobody cares aboutthem.
Many, many people, even highfunctioning people, feel alone,
(03:55):
unseen and unknown.
I feel like there's a reallyserious lack of belonging and I
think this is worse, not better.
Serious lack of belonging, andI think this is worse, not
better.
I'm starting to constantly.
I try to constantly speak andcall out my client's strengths.
(04:15):
I'm often encouraging them toask someone to coffee or to
share a little bit more of whatis going on in them, in their
lives.
I'm often I'm sorry, I'm oftenencouraging them to open up and
share a little bit more aboutwhat's going on with them, in
their lives, with somebody elsebesides me.
A repeated refrain I hear isthat people feel like they're
the only ones that try to reachout or ever initiate and
(04:38):
eventually they just give up,and that makes me really sad and
that makes me really sad.
I do hope that my genuineinterest in them, my curiosity,
my listening, my care, myencouragement, speaking their
strengths and celebrating theirprogress helps them to realize
how much they matter and thatothers will appreciate and enjoy
(04:59):
them too.
One of my favorite quotes is bysomebody named David Augsburger
.
Um, one of my favorite quotesis by somebody named david
augsburger and it says beingheard is so close to being loved
that for the average personthey are almost
indistinguishable.
So I long for people to ask morequestions of each other and
then to put their phones downand be present to really listen
(05:23):
to what people are saying, whatthe answers are to the questions
.
I long for people to tell theirstories.
I have a sign on my wall in myoffice that says your story
matters, tell it.
That says your story matters,tell it.
I long for people to be curiousand not judgmental, which is
(05:46):
from the fabulous TV show andthe famous dart scene from Ted
Lasso.
I think it's also originallyfrom Walt Whitman.
But be curious and notjudgmental.
I long for people to listenwithout planning what they are
going to say, just listen towhat the other person is saying.
I long for people to listen, toreally try to understand and I
long for people to take the timeto notice others, to smile, to
(06:08):
do small acts of kindness toothers and to show people that
they actually really matter.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Okay, who are your target customers and how do you
attract them?
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Yeah, I have a Psychology Today profile.
I have a website, I have aFacebook page for my business,
but, frankly, I hardly ever haveopenings for new clients.
People tend to stick with mefor a long time and often refer
their coworkers and theirfriends to me.
I even had the honor a coupleof years ago of a couple of my
(06:39):
clients asking me to lead agrief therapy group for them and
their friends, who were allgrieving the loss of their
parents.
I am so touched and honored bythe trust my clients have in me.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Okay, awesome Outside of work.
What do you do for fun?
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Yeah, I have a bumper sticker magnet on my car which
I think sums this up pretty well.
It says love people, cook themtasty food.
I love to bake and cook forpeople.
I love to celebrate people andimportant events, especially
with food.
One of my favorite things istaking cooking classes at the
French kitchen here in town.
(07:15):
I love learning new recipes,making and eating really good
food with good chefs and withfun people who share the same
passion that I do.
I also enjoy some Zumba goldclasses with some wonderful
ladies at the Y.
I'm also a crazy cat lady.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
OK, awesome, let's switch gears.
Can you describe a hardship orlife challenge that you overcame
, how it made you stronger andwhat comes to mind?
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Yes, sure, I grew up in Illinois.
I lived my whole life there.
All my school was there.
Growing up college, I met myhusband there.
I got married there.
I went to grad school there, Istarted my career there.
That's where my family was,that's where my friends were,
and my whole life was there.
(08:08):
Then, about 10 years ago, myhusband was asked to interview
for a couple of jobs here in theSprings and I really struggled
when I flew out to meet him forhis interview.
I'll never forget crying on theplane, imagining the huge
changes I might have to make.
There was this lovely couple onthe plane and they noticed that
(08:28):
I was crying and they were.
They asked me if I wanted tomove and switch seats with them
so I could sit by the window andI could see the mountains as we
flew in.
And they told me not to worry,that all I needed to do was go
to the Broadmoor and get acocktail and everything would be
fine and I would fall in lovewith Colorado Springs.
(08:51):
We ended up making the hugedecision to move here and I left
everything I knew and wascomfortable with.
And though I knew it was rightfor us, I left everything I knew
and was comfortable with, andthough I knew it was right for
us, I really did have a hardtime with it.
In my line of work we call thatan adjustment disorder.
I had a lot of troubleadjusting.
People didn't understand why itwas so hard for me when it's so
(09:11):
beautiful here.
But I moved here with nofriends, no clients and nothing
really to do.
I felt alone.
I felt like nobody knew me orcared about me and I felt lost
and my neighborhood didn't feelfriendly.
Our next-door neighbor at thetime would go outside sit on his
porch.
If I was outside and I wouldwave and say hi, he would
(09:32):
immediately go back inside,which felt terrible.
He would immediately go backinside, which felt terrible.
I eventually decided to take itinto my own hands.
I planned a neighborhoodpotluck.
My husband and I dropped offflyers at the doors of our
houses, like all around us, andit was surprisingly a huge
success.
I did not know what to expect.
(09:52):
I was really anxious, but itwent so well.
I told you about my love ofbaking and cooking for people,
and so I started celebratingnational food holidays.
I would start by bringingneighbors chocolate chip cookies
.
On National Chocolate ChipCookie Day, I started bringing
roses and treats to neighbors onValentine's Day, especially to
(10:14):
people who are widowed ordivorced or single.
And then during COVID, myhusband and I started doing
driveway parties.
We'd set up a table or two inour driveway, invite people to
come by, enjoy some food andsome time together.
I really do believe that foodcan bring people together.
So sometimes now we do hotchocolate.
(10:36):
On New Year's Eve we did aChicago hot dog party, ice cream
parties it really doesn'tmatter what type of food or what
kind of thing, but we justinvited people outside to come
on over and have a chance totalk with each other.
And then last fall we did a 10years in Colorado Springs party
(10:57):
and got to celebrate with allthe neighbors and friends who've
made our lives better sincemoving here.
This was something I could dofor the people immediately
around me in my neighborhood andI wish I could do for my
clients, but because ofprofessional boundaries I can't
do that.
I do not want my neighbors tofeel like they don't that.
I do not want my neighbors tofeel like they don't matter.
I do not want my neighbors oranybody to feel like nobody
(11:20):
knows them or cares about them.
Over time we've seen really coolthings happen in our
neighborhood.
We've seen kids become friends,we've seen neighbors start
taking walks, we've had peopleshare ideas like how to fix your
roof or what surgeon they like,or how can I borrow your
(11:41):
lawnmower, or those types ofthings, people asking for help
or sharing celebrations, andthis has been so meaningful and
encouraging to me.
But I'm not special.
I know of other neighborhoodswho do similar things.
They have monthly dinners orsoups or like a soup dinner I've
heard about recently, or blockparties.
(12:03):
I'm also really proud of ourcity.
Last fall they did a thousandneighborhood gatherings.
It was an initiative.
They had to encourage just thissort of thing with the goal of
improving mental health andconnection and decreasing
loneliness.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Okay, what do you hope would change in our
community as a result of whatyou see in your counseling
office?
Speaker 3 (12:29):
I really hope people will try harder in their
neighborhood and be intentional.
I encourage people to walkaround the block.
Show interest in people's pets,their kids, their yards.
Maybe get a little fire pit andsit in your front yard instead
of the backyard.
Notice things.
Does someone look like they'regoing to have a new baby?
(12:50):
Offer to bring them a meal.
Are you seeing somebody lessoften?
Check in, ask small questions,get to know your neighbor's
names.
A next-door study during COVIDfound that knowing as few as six
neighbors is linked to lowerdepression and social anxiety.
I wish that everybody would readthe book called how to Know a
(13:11):
Person by David Brooks.
He talks about how he has cometo believe that the quality of
our lives and the health of oursociety largely depends on how
well we treat each other in theminute interactions of our daily
lives.
I really believe this is true.
He says the foundational skillwe all need is the ability to
(13:31):
understand what somebody isgoing through, and I think
wanting to understand and toreally see someone and make them
feel seen and valued issomething so, so important that
I wish we would all work on,even with, and maybe even
especially with, people we mightdisagree with.
I believe we all craveauthentic connection.
(13:54):
An author named Jenny Allenwrote a book called Find your
People, and she has a quote init that says we were made for
deep connection.
That is a part of our everydaylives, not just once in a while
while in the company of a paidtherapist Ouch, there is true
value in therapy, but there's adeep value in authentic
(14:14):
connection, and that can startin our neighborhoods or wherever
we spend a lot of time.
I want to encourage people to gofirst, to put yourself out
there and keep trying.
It'll likely be worth it.
I want to encourage people tolearn good, open-ended questions
questions.
(14:36):
We often stay at the small talklevel or resort to gossip or
complaining, partly because wedon't know how to ask good
questions or how to share ourhearts one step at a time.
So get some questions, havethem in your back pocket ahead
of time and then, wherever yougo, take a second and look
people in the eye.
Remember there are people whomight be having a bad day too.
I Remember there are people whomight be having a bad day too.
(14:57):
You could make someone's day bytaking an extra second to
notice something about them, toshow a little care, to learn
something about them, eventhough I'm an introvert I feel
like I have little connectionsall over the city because I want
to show people they matter andare appreciated, and I think
everybody can do that are andare appreciated, and I think
(15:19):
everybody can do that.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Okay, kara, please tell us one thing.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
They should remember about Kara Zimmerman,
psychotherapist.
Yeah, I mean, I think everyonecan benefit from counseling.
I think probably everyone wouldlove it.
There's a ton of therapistshere in the Springs.
Many take insurance andpsychology.
Today, Psychologytodaycom is agreat resource.
So keep trying until you getthe right fit.
(15:40):
And therapists are great.
But life can also change whenyou open up, look up, take a
risk and be curious, notjudgmental.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
You mentioned earlier that you had a website.
How can our listeners learnmore about Kara Zimmerman Sure?
Speaker 3 (15:56):
sure.
Thank you, my website is justmy name wwwkarazimmermancom.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Okay, awesome.
Well, Kara, I really appreciateyou being on the show.
We wish you and your businessmuch success moving forward.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
Thank you so much and thank you for doing this for
our community.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go toGNPColoradoSpringscom.
That's GNPColoradoSpringscom,or call 719-679-4720.
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Tony Hills.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Are you looking for aprofessional counselor or
marriage and family therapist?
One might be closer than youthink.
Today I have the pleasure ofintroducing our good neighbor,
kara Zimmerman.
Psychotherapist Kara, how's itgoing?
Speaker 3 (00:27):
It's going really well.
Thank you so much.
How are you?
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Awesome, we're excited to have you on the show,
so tell us about your business.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Thank you.
I'm a therapist.
I'm a licensed marriage andfamily therapist and a licensed
professional counselor.
I have my own solo counselingpractice near downtown in the
Old North End area.
I've been a therapist for about28 years, first in Illinois and
then for the last 10 years herein the Springs.
(00:54):
I am honored to get to walkalongside people in their
journeys through grief and loss,life transitions and stresses,
spiritual issues, relationshipissues, abuse, depression and
anxiety those types of things.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Okay, awesome.
How did you get into thisbusiness?
Speaker 3 (01:18):
Yeah, well, growing up, I was always really curious
about relationships.
Okay, some people might saythat I was nosy about
relationships.
I was always wondering aboutcouples and marriages and
families and friendships, whythey got along, why didn't they
get along, what their storieswere.
(01:38):
And so when I was in college,as an undergrad, I chose to
study sociology looking atpeople in their context of
family or relationships, gender,culture, history, religion,
that type of thing.
And then I learned that therewas a field called marriage and
family therapy and I chose toget my master's degree in that
(01:59):
specialization.
I chose to get my master'sdegree in that specialization
because it also looks at peoplewithin their context and in
their systems.
It's not just looking atindividuals and problems inside
of them.
So I like that.
I found that hopeful andfascinating, okay that's awesome
(02:19):
.
Speaker 2 (02:19):
What are some myths or misconceptions in your
industry?
Speaker 3 (02:22):
Yeah, I wish people could see seeking counseling or
needing counseling as a sign ofstrength instead of a sign of
weakness.
I think the negative stigma ofcounseling is lessening, which
is good.
Also, counseling isn't forpeople who are crazy.
It's for anyone who wouldbenefit from extra support or an
(02:43):
outsider who is objective tohelp them through something that
they're struggling with orstuck in.
I have many clients who I'vebeen seeing for a long time.
We work through something, theykeep growing and then, when the
next something comes up, theyhave the tools and they have me
as a resource to help them.
(03:11):
It's the honor of my life tohave meaningful relationships
with my clients, to bring outtheir strengths, to encourage
and challenge them and to get tobe with them in the sorrows and
joys of life.
I'm very concerned, though,about the increased loneliness
and isolation, depression andlack of connection that I see in
our community and in ourcountry.
It feels like sometimes I'm themain person that some of my
(03:33):
clients talk to, who they sharetheir life and struggles with or
even they see on a regularbasis.
My clients are amazing, smart,kind people with a lot to offer,
but some of them that I've metwith for over the years, they
feel like nobody cares aboutthem.
Many, many people, even highfunctioning people, feel alone,
(03:55):
unseen and unknown.
I feel like there's a reallyserious lack of belonging and I
think this is worse, not better.
Serious lack of belonging, andI think this is worse, not
better.
I'm starting to constantly.
I try to constantly speak andcall out my client's strengths.
(04:15):
I'm often encouraging them toask someone to coffee or to
share a little bit more of whatis going on in them, in their
lives.
I'm often I'm sorry, I'm oftenencouraging them to open up and
share a little bit more aboutwhat's going on with them, in
their lives, with somebody elsebesides me.
A repeated refrain I hear isthat people feel like they're
the only ones that try to reachout or ever initiate and
(04:38):
eventually they just give up,and that makes me really sad and
that makes me really sad.
I do hope that my genuineinterest in them, my curiosity,
my listening, my care, myencouragement, speaking their
strengths and celebrating theirprogress helps them to realize
how much they matter and thatothers will appreciate and enjoy
(04:59):
them too.
One of my favorite quotes is bysomebody named David Augsburger
.
Um, one of my favorite quotesis by somebody named david
augsburger and it says beingheard is so close to being loved
that for the average personthey are almost
indistinguishable.
So I long for people to ask morequestions of each other and
then to put their phones downand be present to really listen
(05:23):
to what people are saying, whatthe answers are to the questions
.
I long for people to tell theirstories.
I have a sign on my wall in myoffice that says your story
matters, tell it.
That says your story matters,tell it.
I long for people to be curiousand not judgmental, which is
(05:46):
from the fabulous TV show andthe famous dart scene from Ted
Lasso.
I think it's also originallyfrom Walt Whitman.
But be curious and notjudgmental.
I long for people to listenwithout planning what they are
going to say, just listen towhat the other person is saying.
I long for people to listen, toreally try to understand and I
long for people to take the timeto notice others, to smile, to
(06:08):
do small acts of kindness toothers and to show people that
they actually really matter.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Okay, who are your target customers and how do you
attract them?
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Yeah, I have a Psychology Today profile.
I have a website, I have aFacebook page for my business,
but, frankly, I hardly ever haveopenings for new clients.
People tend to stick with mefor a long time and often refer
their coworkers and theirfriends to me.
I even had the honor a coupleof years ago of a couple of my
(06:39):
clients asking me to lead agrief therapy group for them and
their friends, who were allgrieving the loss of their
parents.
I am so touched and honored bythe trust my clients have in me.
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Okay, awesome Outside of work.
What do you do for fun?
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Yeah, I have a bumper sticker magnet on my car which
I think sums this up pretty well.
It says love people, cook themtasty food.
I love to bake and cook forpeople.
I love to celebrate people andimportant events, especially
with food.
One of my favorite things istaking cooking classes at the
French kitchen here in town.
(07:15):
I love learning new recipes,making and eating really good
food with good chefs and withfun people who share the same
passion that I do.
I also enjoy some Zumba goldclasses with some wonderful
ladies at the Y.
I'm also a crazy cat lady.
Speaker 2 (07:38):
OK, awesome, let's switch gears.
Can you describe a hardship orlife challenge that you overcame
, how it made you stronger andwhat comes to mind?
Speaker 3 (07:46):
Yes, sure, I grew up in Illinois.
I lived my whole life there.
All my school was there.
Growing up college, I met myhusband there.
I got married there.
I went to grad school there, Istarted my career there.
That's where my family was,that's where my friends were,
and my whole life was there.
(08:08):
Then, about 10 years ago, myhusband was asked to interview
for a couple of jobs here in theSprings and I really struggled
when I flew out to meet him forhis interview.
I'll never forget crying on theplane, imagining the huge
changes I might have to make.
There was this lovely couple onthe plane and they noticed that
(08:28):
I was crying and they were.
They asked me if I wanted tomove and switch seats with them
so I could sit by the window andI could see the mountains as we
flew in.
And they told me not to worry,that all I needed to do was go
to the Broadmoor and get acocktail and everything would be
fine and I would fall in lovewith Colorado Springs.
(08:51):
We ended up making the hugedecision to move here and I left
everything I knew and wascomfortable with.
And though I knew it was rightfor us, I left everything I knew
and was comfortable with, andthough I knew it was right for
us, I really did have a hardtime with it.
In my line of work we call thatan adjustment disorder.
I had a lot of troubleadjusting.
People didn't understand why itwas so hard for me when it's so
(09:11):
beautiful here.
But I moved here with nofriends, no clients and nothing
really to do.
I felt alone.
I felt like nobody knew me orcared about me and I felt lost
and my neighborhood didn't feelfriendly.
Our next-door neighbor at thetime would go outside sit on his
porch.
If I was outside and I wouldwave and say hi, he would
(09:32):
immediately go back inside,which felt terrible.
He would immediately go backinside, which felt terrible.
I eventually decided to take itinto my own hands.
I planned a neighborhoodpotluck.
My husband and I dropped offflyers at the doors of our
houses, like all around us, andit was surprisingly a huge
success.
I did not know what to expect.
(09:52):
I was really anxious, but itwent so well.
I told you about my love ofbaking and cooking for people,
and so I started celebratingnational food holidays.
I would start by bringingneighbors chocolate chip cookies
.
On National Chocolate ChipCookie Day, I started bringing
roses and treats to neighbors onValentine's Day, especially to
(10:14):
people who are widowed ordivorced or single.
And then during COVID, myhusband and I started doing
driveway parties.
We'd set up a table or two inour driveway, invite people to
come by, enjoy some food andsome time together.
I really do believe that foodcan bring people together.
So sometimes now we do hotchocolate.
(10:36):
On New Year's Eve we did aChicago hot dog party, ice cream
parties it really doesn'tmatter what type of food or what
kind of thing, but we justinvited people outside to come
on over and have a chance totalk with each other.
And then last fall we did a 10years in Colorado Springs party
(10:57):
and got to celebrate with allthe neighbors and friends who've
made our lives better sincemoving here.
This was something I could dofor the people immediately
around me in my neighborhood andI wish I could do for my
clients, but because ofprofessional boundaries I can't
do that.
I do not want my neighbors tofeel like they don't that.
I do not want my neighbors tofeel like they don't matter.
I do not want my neighbors oranybody to feel like nobody
(11:20):
knows them or cares about them.
Over time we've seen really coolthings happen in our
neighborhood.
We've seen kids become friends,we've seen neighbors start
taking walks, we've had peopleshare ideas like how to fix your
roof or what surgeon they like,or how can I borrow your
(11:41):
lawnmower, or those types ofthings, people asking for help
or sharing celebrations, andthis has been so meaningful and
encouraging to me.
But I'm not special.
I know of other neighborhoodswho do similar things.
They have monthly dinners orsoups or like a soup dinner I've
heard about recently, or blockparties.
(12:03):
I'm also really proud of ourcity.
Last fall they did a thousandneighborhood gatherings.
It was an initiative.
They had to encourage just thissort of thing with the goal of
improving mental health andconnection and decreasing
loneliness.
Speaker 2 (12:21):
Okay, what do you hope would change in our
community as a result of whatyou see in your counseling
office?
Speaker 3 (12:29):
I really hope people will try harder in their
neighborhood and be intentional.
I encourage people to walkaround the block.
Show interest in people's pets,their kids, their yards.
Maybe get a little fire pit andsit in your front yard instead
of the backyard.
Notice things.
Does someone look like they'regoing to have a new baby?
(12:50):
Offer to bring them a meal.
Are you seeing somebody lessoften?
Check in, ask small questions,get to know your neighbor's
names.
A next-door study during COVIDfound that knowing as few as six
neighbors is linked to lowerdepression and social anxiety.
I wish that everybody would readthe book called how to Know a
(13:11):
Person by David Brooks.
He talks about how he has cometo believe that the quality of
our lives and the health of oursociety largely depends on how
well we treat each other in theminute interactions of our daily
lives.
I really believe this is true.
He says the foundational skillwe all need is the ability to
(13:31):
understand what somebody isgoing through, and I think
wanting to understand and toreally see someone and make them
feel seen and valued issomething so, so important that
I wish we would all work on,even with, and maybe even
especially with, people we mightdisagree with.
I believe we all craveauthentic connection.
(13:54):
An author named Jenny Allenwrote a book called Find your
People, and she has a quote init that says we were made for
deep connection.
That is a part of our everydaylives, not just once in a while
while in the company of a paidtherapist Ouch, there is true
value in therapy, but there's adeep value in authentic
(14:14):
connection, and that can startin our neighborhoods or wherever
we spend a lot of time.
I want to encourage people to gofirst, to put yourself out
there and keep trying.
It'll likely be worth it.
I want to encourage people tolearn good, open-ended questions
questions.
(14:36):
We often stay at the small talklevel or resort to gossip or
complaining, partly because wedon't know how to ask good
questions or how to share ourhearts one step at a time.
So get some questions, havethem in your back pocket ahead
of time and then, wherever yougo, take a second and look
people in the eye.
Remember there are people whomight be having a bad day too.
I Remember there are people whomight be having a bad day too.
(14:57):
You could make someone's day bytaking an extra second to
notice something about them, toshow a little care, to learn
something about them, eventhough I'm an introvert I feel
like I have little connectionsall over the city because I want
to show people they matter andare appreciated, and I think
everybody can do that are andare appreciated, and I think
(15:19):
everybody can do that.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Okay, kara, please tell us one thing.
Speaker 3 (15:20):
They should remember about Kara Zimmerman,
psychotherapist.
Yeah, I mean, I think everyonecan benefit from counseling.
I think probably everyone wouldlove it.
There's a ton of therapistshere in the Springs.
Many take insurance andpsychology.
Today, Psychologytodaycom is agreat resource.
So keep trying until you getthe right fit.
(15:40):
And therapists are great.
But life can also change whenyou open up, look up, take a
risk and be curious, notjudgmental.
Speaker 2 (15:51):
You mentioned earlier that you had a website.
How can our listeners learnmore about Kara Zimmerman Sure?
Speaker 3 (15:56):
sure.
Thank you, my website is justmy name wwwkarazimmermancom.
Speaker 2 (16:05):
Okay, awesome.
Well, Kara, I really appreciateyou being on the show.
We wish you and your businessmuch success moving forward.
Speaker 3 (16:11):
Thank you so much and thank you for doing this for
our community.
Speaker 1 (16:18):
Thank you for listening to the Good Neighbor
podcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go toGNPColoradoSpringscom.
That's GNPColoradoSpringscom,or call 719-679-4720.
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