Karina Melin
Hi, I’m Karina, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who works with adults, adolescents, and families. I provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed care and strive to create a warm, supportive space where you can feel comfortable being yourself. My approach is collaborative and compassionate, helping you better understand yourself, navigate life’s challenges, and develop tools that support meaningful and lasting change.
First session
Your first session is a chance for us to get to know each other and begin exploring what brought you to therapy. We’ll talk about what you’ve been experiencing, what you hope to gain from therapy, and what feels most important to you right now. There’s no pressure to share everything at once. We’ll move at a pace that feels comfortable and begin creating a plan that fits your needs and goals.
Strengths
I bring warmth, empathy, curiosity, and authenticity into my sessions. I take the time to understand each client’s unique experiences rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. I balance creating a safe, nonjudgmental space with offering practical tools and gentle challenges that encourage deeper insight and growth. My trauma-informed and culturally responsive approach allows us to explore not only what you’re experiencing, but also the personal, family, and cultural experiences that may have shaped you.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is someone who may be feeling overwhelmed, anxious, stuck, or impacted by past experiences and is ready to better understand themselves. You don’t need to have everything figured out or know exactly where to start. I enjoy working with clients who are open to exploring patterns, building healthier coping skills, strengthening relationships, and creating meaningful change at a pace that feels right for them.
Treatment methods
Brainspotting
I use Brainspotting to help clients explore and process emotions, trauma, and experiences that may feel difficult to work through with words alone. This approach uses the connection between where you look and what you experience internally to help access and process deeper emotional responses. I incorporate Brainspotting at a pace that feels comfortable, while prioritizing safety, trust, and your individual needs throughout the process.
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients understand how their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors are connected. Together, we identify patterns that may be contributing to anxiety, depression, or feeling stuck and develop practical strategies to create healthier responses. CBT can help you challenge unhelpful thinking, build coping skills, and feel more confident navigating everyday challenges.
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
I use Internal Family Systems (IFS) to help clients better understand the different parts of themselves and the roles those parts may play in their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Together, we approach these parts with curiosity and compassion rather than judgment, helping you understand where certain patterns come from and what they may be trying to protect. This can help you develop greater self-awareness, self-compassion, and healthier ways of responding to difficult emotions and experiences.
Location
Virtual sessions