- Trauma-informed care
- Practical coping skills
- First responder insight
About Karen
Karen Kelly is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) practicing in Alaska with 13 years of clinical experience. She focuses on helping people who are facing anxiety, depression, addiction, trauma, and intense life changes. She also supports those coping with work stress, isolation, grief, and the emotional impact of natural or human-caused disaster.
Her style is practical and compassionate. Sessions are focused on clear goals and useful skills. Karen offers a steady space to talk through guilt, shame, relationship struggles, and problems with self-esteem. She also helps people navigate career stress, intimacy issues, and the fallout from separation or divorce.
Karen blends a few different therapeutic methods to match what each person needs. She uses acceptance and commitment techniques to clarify values and build action. Cognitive behavioral strategies help spot unhelpful thinking and change day-to-day habits. She can also draw on mindfulness, dialectical skills, and EMDR when those approaches fit the work.
Her background includes time as a first responder, having worked as a law enforcement officer and 911 dispatcher. That experience informs her understanding of first responder issues and the stress of high-demand jobs. Karen aims to translate that insight into straightforward tools clients can use between sessions.
Sessions are offered in English and French. She works with adults who want practical steps and steady support while they cope, recover, and move forward.
How therapy approaches translate to online care
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and pick actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, depression, and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and changing routine behaviors to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. It often helps with mood disorders, anxiety, and addiction issues. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is an approach used to process traumatic memories so they feel less upsetting; it is commonly used for post-traumatic stress and trauma-related symptoms.Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, try methods that match those goals, and adjust as work progresses. Clients and therapist decide together which tools and techniques fit best for the issues at hand.
The profile does not list specific session formats, so confirm current online options before booking. Many people find online sessions make it easier to fit therapy into a busy day, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Online work can also let people use mindfulness and behavioral tools in real-life settings between appointments. Ask about available formats and scheduling when you complete the matching questionnaire to find what fits your routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
13+ years
Credentials
Alaska
Languages
English, French
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Karen commonly address?
She helps people with anxiety, depression, trauma, addictions, grief, anger, and stress. Other focuses include relationship problems, self-esteem, ADHD, and coping after disasters.
What is her therapy style like?
Her approach is compassionate and practical. She emphasizes clear goals, skill-building, and working together to handle emotions and real-life problems.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 13 years of experience as a licensed clinical social worker. Her background includes prior service as a law enforcement officer and 911 dispatcher.
Where is she based and licensed?
She practices in Alaska and holds an AK LCSW license. Sessions are offered to people located within the therapist's permitted region.
Which languages can sessions be conducted in?
Sessions are offered in English and French. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking to learn how sessions are scheduled.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing is provided during the booking process.
How do I begin working with her?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and scheduling based on therapist availability.