- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and grief
- Parenting support
About Karen
Karen Santos is a PACFA psychotherapist and social worker with 12 years of clinical experience in Australia. She works with adults on issues such as stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, depression, parenting and coping with life changes. Sessions are offered in English and Tagalog.
Karen has worked in community mental health and delivered evidence-based trauma and mental health counselling. That background means she is used to practical casework and coordinating supports when people need them. She brings that experience into one-to-one work.
Her approach draws on several evidence-based methods. Karen uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for thinking and behaviour patterns, Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) for strong emotions and relationships, and is developing skills in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) to help with values-based choices. She also uses Narrative Therapy ideas to help people reframe their stories.
Karen has had specialised training in the neurobiology of trauma and developmental trauma, and in Synergetic Play Therapy (SPT). That training supports work with parenting concerns and with people whose early experiences affect current functioning. She is experienced supporting grief, dissociation and complex trauma responses.
In sessions Karen focuses on practical steps. She helps clients name current problems, try small changes, and track what helps. People leave with clearer options and ways to manage day-to-day demands.
To start, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session. The subscription-based sessions can be cancelled at any time. Karen does not take international clients.
How therapeutic approaches translate to online sessions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It is useful for people feeling stuck, anxious or unsure about next steps. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and gives practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns. Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT) helps people identify and work with strong emotions, which can be useful for grief and relationship-related stress.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Karen will discuss your goals and preferences and together you will try methods that fit. That collaborative process means the approach can change if something isn’t working or your priorities shift.
The biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm the current online session options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions around study, work and other commitments. It can also allow shorter check-ins, simpler use of written or worksheet exercises, and sessions without needing to travel. Appropriately qualified therapists can adapt exercises and pacing to suit your day-to-day life and energy levels.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English, Tagalog
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem issues, depression, parenting and coping with life changes.
What is her therapy style like?
She uses a practical, evidence-based approach that includes CBT and EFT and draws on narrative work to reframe difficulties.
How much experience does she have?
She has 12 years of clinical experience working in community mental health and counselling roles in Australia.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is PACFA credentialed and practises in Australia.
Can I work with her if I speak Tagalog?
Yes. Sessions are offered in English and Tagalog.
What session formats are available?
The original biography does not list specific session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location. Sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your 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.