Karen Abato
Hello, I am a Professional Counselor licensed in Delaware, Georgia and Colorado. I received my Masters Degree from NYU in 1999 and have been practicing for 25 years. My focus in on working with adults, creating an environment in which people can increase self awareness and self acceptance in order to to create space for change.
My training began in Art Psychotherapy, setting the stage for a flexible approach to the therapeutic process, so that I can meet each individual where they are in their process.
I see myself as a partner in healing and utilize strategies designed to increase client empowerment and recognition of individual strengths.
First session
I prefer to begin with a 15 minute consultation, telephone or video, in which I can get an idea of why you are beginning therapy and you can get an idea whether or not I have the particular skills that match the support you are seeking. In our first session I focus on a history and a more detailed discussion of issues that therapy will address. My goal is to create an environment in which a therapeutic alliance can build, including trust and mutual respect.
Strengths
My training began in Art Psychotherapy, setting the stage for a flexible approach to the therapeutic process, so that I can meet each individual where they are in their process. I firmly believe in the idea that we are all inclined to move toward wellness and emotional and mental flexibility. I see my role as a therapist as creating the space in which others can develop the tools needed to support personal empowerment and agency in their own lives.
Ideal clients
I work with people who are coming to terms with substance use/alcohol use, many who have experiences of trauma, and adults moving through life transitions and losses. I work with people of all orientations and genders, adults age 18 and above.
Treatment methods
Psychodynamic
I have utilized psychodynamic processing in therapy session in groups, couples and individual therapy since I began practicing. It is the the process that allows the client to create context form the issue that brings them to therapy, and for the therapist to understand conscious and unconscious processes related to the issues brought to therapy.
Trauma Informed Care
Trauma informed care includes the verbal process, psycho-education that allows the client to understand their trauma experience and it's impact on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual realms of their lives. Within this framework, mindfulness and cognitive behavioral skills are introduced than empower people to manage their own internal processes in order to decide for themselves what changes might be necessary to improve their lives, and then to make those changes.
Location
Virtual sessions