Karen Hunter
I am a licensed clinical social worker with 30 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, young adults and adults through a wide range of life experiences and challenges. I believe therapy is a collaborative process where you can feel heard understood and supported without judgement. I take a holistic, strengths based approach to therapy, recognizing that each person is more than the challenges they are experiencing. I strive to create a safe, warm, non-judgmental space where clients feel comfortable being themselves. exploring their concerns and finding practical ways to move forward. Whether you are navigating anxiety, stress, relationships, life transitions, trauma or simply feeling stuck, I believe you already possess strengths and resources to help you move toward positive change. My role is to help you discover and build upon those strengths.
First session
After our first session, I want my client to feel heard, understood and accepted without judgement. I want the client to have clarity around what brought them to therapy and be able to identify strengths and possibilities for moving forward. I want the client to feel hopeful that change is possible.
Strengths
My approach is warm, compassionate, calming and collaborative. My strengths include: strong analytical and critical thinking skills, perspective taking, objectivity and open-mindedness while displaying empathy and compassion.
Ideal clients
My ideal client is one who is navigating life transitions and wants to better understand themselves and create meaningful change. They are open to exploring both challenges they are facing today and how past experiences have shaped them. I work especially well with clients who value a warm, collaborative approach and want to build on their existing strengths while developing practical tools for moving forward.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I use a practical, collaborative approach that helps clients understand the connection between their thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Together we look at patterns that may be contributing to stress or difficulties and explore healthier more helpful ways to respond to challenges.
Narrative
I use narrative therapy to help clients explore how their story and experiences create beliefs and messages that my not be helpful. This approach can help clients view their story from a different perspective, recognizing strengths and resilience while identifying different possibilities.