Dr. Cara McDermott, D.O., ABPN,
About Dr. Cara McDermott (She/Her)
Dr. Cara McDermott, D.O., helps children, teens, adults, and seniors across South Carolina find stability, clarity, and renewed functioning through thoughtful psychiatric care. As a prescriber at LifeStance Health, she provides medication management for conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, and depression, while also supporting individuals navigating substance use with evidence-based medication treatment. Dr. McDermott partners closely with patients to create practical, personalized plans that respect each person’s goals, strengths, and life circumstances. She is especially passionate about supporting individuals who are recently discharged from a psychiatric hospital, helping them transition safely back into daily life with close follow-up, symptom monitoring, and coordinated care. Dr. McDermott understands how vulnerable this period can be and prioritizes continuity, clear communication, and compassionate guidance to reduce relapse risk and promote long-term recovery. Dr. McDermott treats children and adolescents, teens, young adults, adults, and older adults. Her clinical experience also includes working with members of the LGBTQ+ community, military and veteran populations, and individuals involved in adoption or foster care. In addition to her primary specialties, she offers care for a wide range of additional mental health concerns, tailoring medication strategies to each stage of life and level of complexity. Her osteopathic training supports a whole-person approach that considers both mental and physical health when developing treatment plans. Outside of work, Dr. McDermott enjoys exercise and fitness, reading and book clubs, exploring the outdoors, and spending time with family and friends.
Types of Care & Ages Served
- Psychiatry/Medication Management: Ages 6-75+
Areas of Focus
Psychiatry/Medication Management
Treat and prevent mental health disorders using medication and therapy.
- Anxiety
- Depression/feeling down
- Panic attacks
- Self-esteem
- Sexual trauma
- Stress management
- Trauma & PTSD
- Ability status
- ADHD
- Adoption & foster care
- Aging
- Alcohol use
- Anger issues
- Attachment issues
- Autism spectrum & neurodivergence
- Autism with developmental delay
- Autism: requires some assistance
- Bipolar Disorder
- Body image
- Bullying or harassment
- Career & work issues
- Caregiving
- Childhood ADHD, attention or focus issues
- Conditions caused by stress
- Dementia & memory concerns
- Detachment/disconnection
- Dissociative disorders
- Domestic violence & abuse
- Drug/substance use
- Early adulthood: Independent living or relationships
- Early adulthood: Starting college or career
- Eating issues: binging
- Eating issues: food deprivation
- Eating issues: purging/regurgitating
- Emotional abuse
- End-of-life challenges
- Ethnic identity & mental health
- Family conflict
- Focus, concentration & memory
- General relationship issues
- Grief & loss
- Hair pulling & skin picking
- Hallucinations
- Hoarding
- Immigration/cultural status
- Intellectual disability (caregiver-supported care)
- Intellectual disability (living independently)
- Intense mood changes
- Learning challenges
- LGBTQ+
- Marital stress or divorce
- Mental health changes after brain & head injuries
- Mental health during perimenopause
- Mental health related to pregnancy & reproductive health
- Mental health support for chronic pain
- Mental health support for neurological conditions
- Mid-life transitions
- Military, veteran, and first responder mental health
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Other addictive behaviors
- Other women's health concerns
- Parenting
- Patterns affecting behavior, emotions and relationships
- Personality disorders & related conditions
- Phobias
- PMS & PMDD
- Premarital counseling
- Psychosis/issues with reality
- Race, culture & mental health
- Religion, spirituality & mental health
- Retirement
- Schizophrenia/schizoaffective
- School avoidance
- Self-injury or cutting
- Sex & intimacy issues
- Sleep issues or insomnia
- Social skills & communication
- Sports performance
- Stress from ongoing health issues
- Stress related to discrimination & social injustice
- Stroke-related mental health conditions
- Unhealthy eating habits
- Unusual thoughts or beliefs
Insurances Accepted
- Absolute Total Care
- Aetna
- Carelon (Beacon)
- Centivo
- Claritev (MultiPlan PHCS)
- Companion Benefit (BCBS)
- Devoted Health Plan
- Evernorth (Cigna)
- HealthSmart
- Humana
- MediNcrease Health Plans (MHP)
- Medicare
- Northwell Direct
- Optum (UnitedHealthcare)
- Partners Direct Health
- Promise Health Plan (Prisma)
- Provider Network of America (PNOA)
- Quest Behavioral Health
- Sana Benefits
- TELUS Health (BHS)
- Tricare East (Humana Military)
Languages
- English
Education
- University of North Texas Health Science Center
- Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine
Locations
New patient?
Check availability and book your first appointment Call 854-246-1100 for Availability Call for Availability Call 854-246-1100 To Book Using Medicare Call To Book Using MedicareFrequently Asked
Questions About
Dr. Cara McDermott
Please call us at 854-246-1100 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Cara McDermott.
Dr. Cara McDermott generally accepts new patients but there could be a waitlist. Please call 854-246-1100 to find out Dr. Cara McDermott's schedule and availability.
LifeStance Health providers accept most commercial insurance plans that are offered in the states where we offer services, including telehealth. Please see the following list of insurances accepted by Dr. Cara McDermott:
- Absolute Total Care
- Aetna
- Carelon (Beacon)
- Centivo
- Claritev (MultiPlan PHCS)
- Companion Benefit (BCBS)
- Devoted Health Plan
- Evernorth (Cigna)
- HealthSmart
- Humana
- MediNcrease Health Plans (MHP)
- Medicare
- Northwell Direct
- Optum (UnitedHealthcare)
- Partners Direct Health
- Promise Health Plan (Prisma)
- Provider Network of America (PNOA)
- Quest Behavioral Health
- Sana Benefits
- TELUS Health (BHS)
- Tricare East (Humana Military)
If you don't see your insurance listed, please contact us at 854-246-1100 to see how we can help.
Yes, Dr. Cara McDermott is licensed to prescribe medication in appropriate situations.
Dr. Cara McDermott works at:
Yes, Dr. Cara McDermott does offer online telehealth visits.
Yes, Dr. Cara McDermott is currently offering in-office visits at the following location: