- ACT and CBT
- Relationship support
- Career and life changes
About Karen
Karen Contardo is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington with 15 years of clinical experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, and issues common in young adulthood like career choices and feelings of being behind.
She helps people who are coping with life changes, grief, intimacy concerns, and challenges around eating and sleeping. Karen also supports those dealing with chronic pain or illness, control issues, isolation, and questions about life purpose. Her practice includes work on self-esteem, impulsivity, parenting concerns, and money or financial stress.
Sessions are conversational and practical. Karen uses tools from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and client-centered approaches to help people notice patterns and try different ways of responding. She focuses on what a person wants to change and small steps that fit into daily life.
Her background includes long-term clinical work in Washington and a history of working with adults through career transitions and health-related challenges. She encourages clear goals and regular review of progress so people can see what is working.
In the first meetings she will listen to current difficulties, recent history, and what the client hopes to get from therapy. From there she and the client choose strategies and practices to try between sessions and adjust them as needed.
Therapy approaches and working online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and commit to actions that match their values. It can help with anxiety, low mood, and uncertainty about life direction.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the link between thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. It teaches practical skills to test unhelpful beliefs, change patterns, and manage symptoms like worry or insomnia.
Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes listening and responding to what the person brings to sessions. It supports people who need time to sort out feelings and priorities rather than immediately focusing on techniques.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Karen will collaborate with each client to decide which methods suit their goals, needs, and preferences. That choice can shift as therapy progresses, and adjustments are made together.
Confirm the specific session formats before booking because the profile does not list them. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel, and offer shorter check-ins when schedules are tight. It can also allow for sessions without video if that helps someone focus more on the conversation rather than being on camera.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Listed in
Washington
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, and challenges common in young adulthood like career and identity concerns.
What is her general therapy style?
Her approach is conversational and practical, mixing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and client-centered work to identify patterns and test small changes.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 15 years of experience providing psychotherapy to adults in Washington.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensed in Washington.
Can I work with her if I live outside the United States?
International clients are not currently accepted; sessions are provided to clients in Washington and conducted in English.
What session formats are offered?
Please confirm the current session options before booking, as the original profile does not list specific formats.
How are sessions paid for and what does it cost?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Online talk therapy through BetterHelp is for adults aged 18 and over and is not emergency care. If you are in danger, use the emergency numbers. Find someone else by name.