- Stress and anxiety
- Trauma and grief
- CBT and attachment
About Karinna
Karinna Johnstone is an AASW social worker with 18 years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and life changes, and also helps with self-esteem, relationships and parenting concerns.
She has a long background supporting people with complex needs, including those experiencing homelessness, addiction and disability. Karinna has practical experience helping people who have lived with different forms of trauma and abuse, and she supports people dealing with loss and long-term stress.
In sessions she uses clear, everyday language and focuses on building skills that help with day-to-day living. People learn ways to manage anxiety, improve sleep and increase motivation. She helps clients identify unhelpful thinking and try different coping strategies that can make small, steady changes.
Karinna works from the idea that clients know their own life best. She combines listening with techniques from cognitive and narrative approaches to help people reframe difficult situations and try new behaviours. Attachment ideas are used to look at relationship patterns and how they affect current choices.
She also draws on mindfulness practices to help people calm racing thoughts and improve focus. Karinna aims to help clients find practical steps toward clearer goals and greater emotional balance. To start, she asks people to complete a short questionnaire and arrange an initial session to set priorities.
How her approaches translate to online work
Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how past relationship patterns affect present connections. Online sessions can use this approach to notice recurring dynamics and try different ways of relating over time. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting back what matters to the client. In a virtual session this typically means the therapist follows the client's priorities and helps clarify goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) breaks experiences into thoughts, feelings and actions and tests small behaviour changes. It is useful for anxiety, low mood and sleep problems and works well with short practical exercises.Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to decide which methods suit the client's goals and preferences. That discussion happens in early sessions and can be revisited as needs change.
The practical benefits of online work depend on available session formats, which are not specified here. Confirm current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around studies, work or caregiving, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. A therapist can adapt exercises for video or phone, focus on short skills practice, or plan regular homework to support progress.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
18+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She supports adults with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and grief, plus relationship, parenting and career concerns.
What is her therapeutic style?
She blends client-centred listening with cognitive behavioural and narrative techniques, and uses mindfulness and attachment ideas.
How long has she worked in this field?
She has 18 years of experience working as a social worker with people who have a wide range of needs.
Where is she based and what credential does she hold?
She practising in Australia and holds AASW as her listed credential.
Can she work with people who speak other languages?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Does she see international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions billed?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with her?
Choose the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, then 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.