HOLDING A SAFE, COMFORTABLE SPACE FOR SELF-ACCEPTANCE AND GROWTH
ABOUT KAREN
I am a compassionate Social Worker with 38 years of experience working with diverse populations to support mental health and wellness; applying a combination of holistic and evidence-based approaches to facilitate healing. I have an understanding and sensitivity to serving culturally diverse populations and Elders and offer creativity and flexibility in delivery of services. My goal is always to provide a peaceful safe space for us to work in.
Personally, I am a lifetime learner and enjoy self-reflection and growth. In my private time I enjoy travel, gardening, being in nature and spending time with family and friends. Playing with my black standard poodle, Kate, and her cousin, lab beagle mix, Charlie, brings me great joy.
Professional Background
Over my years of practice, I have performed counseling interventions to address issues through conflict resolution and situational adjustment to depression, anxiety, physical abuse, substance abuse and PTSD. I have worked with Veterans and families, especially partners of veterans. I have experience with elders having worked in a nursing home and counseled many residents and their families facing changes in their lives due to illness, living situations, changes in mobility and more.
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I enjoyed working with college students navigating the changes of being more independent in their lives, course choices, career investigation and struggles that come with being a student and managing class and personal life balance. Working with clients in the Department of Human Services system with addictions, lack of resources, debilitating family patterns, mental illness, sex abuse, and more gave me a perspective of realizing most people want to do better and grow in their life and with small steps, it can happen. Recently I’ve worked with chronically ill patients in a dialysis setting and have extensive experience working within the medical field.
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Educational Credentials
Bachelors in Human Services - University of Oregon
Masters in Social Work - Portland State University
Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Oregon
Services & Approach
Services
My practice is here for clients to find a safe gentle space to explore and learn new ways of being, self-acceptance and relating to others in their world. I enjoy empowering my clients to tackle challenging situations with better and more diverse coping skills.
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I offer a strength-based and solution-focused approach and I am a good listener.
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Services are offered in-person when able and with HIPPA compliant Teletherapy to ensure safety during the pandemic. Although I prefer in-person sessions, I adhere to safety precautions for my clients and myself.
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Who I enjoy working with:
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Life-changing medical issues, chronic illness and other medical challenges; I have extensive experience and enjoy working with end-stage renal disease and dialysis patients.
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Life transitions such as divorce, spiritual crisis, aging, career choices, school choices, adjustments to being an independent adult
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Substance abuse and how it affects your life even if you are not the addict.
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Elder transitions and issues such as choosing living situations, mobility changes, family dynamics of aging, finding an ongoing quality of life that is as independent as possible and fits your idea of a good life.
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Anxiety—due to numerous events in our life, family issues, pandemic isolation and fears, world issues and political issues
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Depression—Many events in our daily lives can be cause for depression, how to address those issues and find tools to work with depression
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PTSD- tools to help recognize triggers and self-regulate to be able to deal with trauma and live a full life
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Grief—this can be from deaths of persons, pets, ways of life, loss of job, changes in lifestyle such as pandemic changes, and health issues to name a few.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma—Again PTSD is prevalent at this time in our culture due to many major changes in how our society operates.
My Approach
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Mindfulness Therapies
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Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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Motivational Interviewing
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Internal Family Systems (IFS) informed practice
We will discuss what is important to you and set goals and monitor those goals always being flexible to your needs.
New Patients
New Patient Forms
I will send you new patient forms through a HIPPA compliant email. Preview the new patient forms here.
Insurance & Payments
Cash (in office sessions) and credit/debit are accepted as payment for co-pays and fees for service.
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My office provides billing services. When you reach out to make your first appointment I will gather information about you and your insurance, as a courtesy, my billing service will reach out to your insurance to confirm in network or out of network benefits and fees for service.
In Network with:
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Oregon Health Plan (OHP DMAP open card))
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Medicare
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Blue Cross Blue Shield
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Pacific Source (OHP, Commercial, Medicare)
Billing in network means the patient pays their copay or insurance the day of each session and my office takes care of the rest.​
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I also bill out of network insurance and walk you through that process which is different for each person and insurance.