Licensed to practice in 2 states and accepts 47 insurances. Specializes in Anxiety, Depression, Family Therapy and 10 more.
Karen Distefano
(she/her)
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Connecticut. Over the last twenty years, I have enjoyed working with children and families in out-patient and school settings and with adults who were struggling with significant mental health concerns as a Partial Hospitalization Program Coordinator and Group Leader. I have experience working with a diverse range of ages and backgrounds, and I often pull from different therapy modalities, tailoring to the unique needs and learning styles for the individual.
Get to know me
In our first session together, here's what you can expect
Our first session will focus on information gathering and getting to know one another. We will review relevant history before getting into the deeper questions about what is bringing you to therapy while identifying your treatment goals.
The biggest strengths that I bring into our sessions
The most fundamental principle of DBT is that acceptance and change are compatible! I meet clients where they are- without judgment, but with compassion. I guide clients through their personal challenges and help them develop more effective coping strategies and skills to navigate life's complexities.
The clients I'm best positioned to serve
Participating in therapy isn't easy, but my clients are willing to work as hard as I do! We will be solution-focused and ready to explore healthy and realistic alternatives to maladaptive coping skills.
Specialties
Top specialties
Anxiety
Depression
Family Therapy
Other specialties
Addiction
Coping Skills
Family Conflict
Foster Care/Adoption
LGBTQ
Military/Veterans
Older Adults
Parenting
School Issues
Trauma and PTSD
I identify as
White
Woman
Serves ages
Adults (18 to 64)
Elders (65 and above)
Teenagers (13 to 17)
Licensed in
Connecticut
Massachusetts
Accepts
Aetna
Aetna - ASR Health Benefits
Aetna - Allied Benefits
Aetna - Luminare
Aetna - Medicare
Aetna - Moda
Aetna - WebTPA
Aetna – HealthEZ
All Savers
Amerihealth Administrators
Amerihealth NJ Medicare Advantage
Arlo
AvMed
Blue Benefit Administrators of Massachusetts (BBA)
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Anthem
Independence Administrators
Independence Blue Cross
Cash - $100 per session
Centivo
Cigna
Cigna - HealthEZ
EAP:Cigna
EAP:Evernorth
EAP:UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Evernorth
GTEB
Golden Rule
Harvard Pilgrim
Harvard Pilgrim/UnitedHealthcare
Humana - Medicare
Humana Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare/Optum
Optum
OptumHealth Complex Medical Conditions
Oscar
Oxford
Surest (formerly Bind)
Tufts Health
Tufts Health/Cigna
United Medical Resources
UnitedHealthcare Dual (Medicare & Medicaid)
UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance
UnitedHealthcare Shared Services
UnitedHealthcare StudentResources
UnitedHealthcare/Optum - Medicare
UnitedHealthcare Complete Care (C-SNP)
Location
Virtual
My treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Cognitive Behavior Therapy focuses on identifying how unhelpful thinking distortions combined with learned patterns of behavior can contribute to a variety of distress and conflict in our lives. By recognizing how our thoughts influence how we feel and act, we can change our patterns of thinking and better understand ourselves. Using CBT, we will increase problem-solving skills and build self-confidence.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I have used skills based on the principles of Dialectic Behavior Therapy to treat clients with borderline personality disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder. It is especially effective for those who are struggling with emotional regulation, self-destructive behaviors, and interpersonal difficulties. In DBT, the term “dialectical” refers to finding a balance between two seemingly opposing concepts: acceptance and change.
6 ratings with written reviews
June 27, 2026
Karen is true to her profile and embodies that acceptance and change are not mutually exclusive while being warm and authentic in a direct but solution oriented manner. She was kind, compassionate, and reassuring. I look forward to meeting and working with her again, and appreciate her positive and actionable feedback and advice in our first session.
Verified client, age 25-34
June 22, 2026
Listens very will and follows up in return with great insight. Shes someone great to talk to
Verified client, age 35-44
June 16, 2026
I really enjoy working with Karen. she's very insightful and knowledgeable. she soothed my pain.