LMSW-C, 6 years of experience
New to Grow
Hello, I’m Kari, a licensed clinical social worker providing virtual therapy throughout my beautiful home state of Michigan. I specialize in using DBT and CBT with young adults and adults experiencing depression, anxiety, stress, chronic pain, grief, and stress. My clients say that I have a calming, warm presence, and ask the right questions which allow you to explore any and all of concerns with curiosity and non-judgment. Together we will work toward relief, greater flexibility in thought and action, and meaningful insight, always striving to attain a life that feels worthwhile and fulfilling for you. I’ve had the privilege of supporting clients across a range of settings including college counseling, correctional mental health, primary care, and private practice. These experiences have deepened my belief in the transformative power of an authentic therapeutic relationship. Therapy isn’t always easy...AND I’ll be right here with you: encouraging, supporting, and gently challenging you as we move forward together. Therapy is a worthwhile investment in yourself!
Our first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin building a foundation of trust. We'll explore what brought you to therapy, your background, what motivates you, and what change might look like for you. It’s normal to feel uncertain at the start. I’ll be here to guide the process, and help you develop a treatment plan that aligns with your goals, values, and needs - whether that’s easing depression or anxiety, learning coping skills, working on relationships, building confidence, coping with chronic pain, moving your body more regularly, or learning to respond differently in moments of stress. These goals aren’t set in stone; they can shift and evolve as you do. We’ll use evidence-based tools to track your progress and guide our work. If you’re ready to move forward and want a therapist who’s both kind and purposeful in helping you get there, I’d be honored to work with you. Reach out today and let's get started!
As a therapist, I have strong clinical training, diverse professional experience, and a grounded, relational approach to healing. Most importantly, I’m known for being easy to talk to, organized, thoughtful, and genuinely caring. Clients often tell me they feel deeply heard and supported while also challenged in meaningful ways. I help people clarify what matters most and take concrete, practical steps toward lasting change. I'll bring warmth, patience, and a genuine investment in your growth to every session. If you're looking for a therapist who will meet you with both skill and sincerity and walk with you through meaningful change, I’d be honored to support you. Let’s begin this work together.
Living with depression or anxiety can feel like moving through the world with a weight no one else can see. You might feel numb, exhausted, or constantly on edge, like you are struggling to keep up while everything feels overwhelming or flat. Maybe your mind or body won’t quiet down, or it’s hard to find motivation for things that used to matter. You might feel disconnected from yourself, irritable, uncertain of who you are, or ashamed for not being “better” by now. If any of this resonates, please know you’re not alone. Depression and anxiety are profoundly isolating. They can narrow your world and distort your perceptions. I would be honored to help you explore the patterns that shape your thoughts, emotions, body, and relationships, and offer tools and approaches that feel supportive and relevant. I enjoy working with young adults who wish to gain greater emotional intelligence, control over their emotions, and a deeper understanding of where they want to go in life. I have been in your shoes, struggling with unclear career and general life direction amid symptoms of depression and anxiety. I have also helped those struggling with body image concerns, binge eating, and specific fears, such as having panic attacks in public and of leaving the house (common with agoraphobia) and fear of driving.
I have years of experience leading weekly Adult DBT skills training groups and doing individual therapy utilizing DBT and other evidence-based modalities. I led implementation of a DBT program within a mental health unit in the women's prison system. DBT skills are useful for anyone, particularly for those who wish to work on cultivating present mindful awareness, controlling impulsive behaviors, improving interpersonal relationships, and learning to manage distressful situations. The overarching goal of DBT is to build a life worth living, and I love helping clients do just that.
I have had extensive training and practice in using CBT to help clients examine the interrelationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In particular, I enjoy using Behavioral Activation to help clients dealing with symptoms of depression to incrementally take action in spite of the lack of motivation they are experiencing.
ACT is well-suited for those facing depression, anxiety, chronic pain, or other challenges. While many therapies focus on eliminating symptoms, ACT helps people develop a more neutral, accepting relationship with painful thoughts, feelings, and sensations—without needing to get rid of them. At the same time, it fosters self-compassion and supports clients in identifying what truly matters to them, then taking meaningful, values-guided steps forward.
I have training in IPT, a short-term (12-16 sessions), evidence-based approach designed to treat depression and anxiety disorders by addressing problems in relationships. IPT is grounded in the understanding that our mood and mental health are closely linked to the quality of our interpersonal connections. In this approach, we focus on improving communication, navigating role transitions or losses, and strengthening support systems to reduce symptoms and foster emotional well-being.
SFBT is a short-term, evidence-based approach well-suited for individuals motivated to overcome a specific problem or pursue a particular goal. Together, we'll clarify your goals, identify what’s already working, and develop actionable steps and strategies to move forward. SFBT helps foster hope, motivation, and a clear path toward meaningful change.