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Dr. Karen Stark-Garrett, LMFT - California Therapist at Grow Therapy

Dr. Karen Stark-Garrett

Dr. Karen Stark-Garrett

LMFT
12 years of experience
Virtual

Hi! I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in California. I received my Master's from California State University, Bakersfield, and I have a Ph.D. in MFT from Amridge University (Montgomery, AL). I have been seeing clients since 2013. In my systems-based work, I look for root causes of emotional reactivity and maladaptive behaviors that interfere with healthy relationship functioning.

What can clients expect to take away from sessions with you?

In our first session together, we'll start with brief introductions and then discuss the specific challenges you're facing. This will help me create a tailored plan for us to work through in follow-up sessions.

Explain to clients what areas you feel are your biggest strengths.

I recognize that finding the right therapist is not easy. Picking up the phone to set up an appointment and then opening up to someone new takes courage. I view therapy as something sacred, and if we are a good fit, I welcome the opportunity to join you in your journey toward inner peace, healing, and growth.

About Dr. Karen Stark-Garrett

Identifies as

Specializes in

Serves ages

Licensed in

Accepts

Address

2212 F Street, Bakersfield, CA, USA

Appointments

Virtual & in-person

My treatment methods

Attachment-based

Our early attachments to primary caregivers can profoundly influence our later attachments to friends, family, and romantic partners. As part of my practice, learning about your family of origin and your connections with others as you grew up provides the essential context in our work together.

Christian Counseling

I am an LMFT in California with a Master of Theological Studies degree from Duke Divinity School. I work with people of all faiths, but I mention that I am a Christian to let others know it is safe to discuss the spiritual side of humanity in therapy with me.

Family Therapy

I work with individuals from a systems perspective. This means I will examine how your interactions with others affect your mood, behaviors, and overall well-being. My preference is to work with the family unit rather than the individual, as I believe some of the best therapeutic work occurs with all parties in the room.

Psychodynamic

In this approach, I look beyond behavior and external cues to see what lies within the psyche. Using metaphor, identifying ingrained defense mechanisms, and working through issues are part of the therapeutic process.

Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)

I find CBT helpful for identifying automatic thoughts and cognitive distortions so that the client and I can work collaboratively toward cognitively restructuring responses to triggers - both negative and positive - so that emotional reactivity is lessened and therapeutic goals are attained.