Karol Terry
Welcome. I'm Karol, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. First I want to acknowledge that you made it here. Reaching out for therapy can feel scary, confusing, or even overwhelming, and you don't have to have everything figured out. I believe therapy should feel like a comfortable, judgment-free space where you can be yourself. My approach is centered around genuine connection and getting to know you as a whole person. I work primarily with teens and adults experiencing anxiety, stress, relationship or family challenges, life transitions, low motivation, or feeling stuck. I use CBT and DBT skills when helpful, but I don’t believe therapy needs to feel overly clinical or structured. I also value self-care, healthy boundaries, and learning how to prioritize yourself without guilt. My goal is to help you feel supported and understood while building the tools and confidence to navigate life in a way that feels right for you.
First session
In our first session, my focus is on getting to know you and what brings you to therapy, what you’ve been going through, and what you’re hoping to get out of therapy. I’ll ask some questions to better understand your experiences, strengths, and what feels most important to you right now. You can expect a calm, supportive, judgment-free space. There’s no pressure to share anything you’re not ready for, and you don’t need to know exactly what to say. We’ll start where you are and work together at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
Strengths
One of my biggest strengths is my ability to build genuine connections. I'm warm, approachable, patient, and a good listener, and I work hard to create a space where you can feel comfortable being open and honest. I'm able to hold space without judgement while also gently challenging you when it may help you move forward. I want to help you recognize your patterns, build confidence, and make changes that feel meaningful to you. I don't believe therapy is about someone telling you what to do.. it's about having someone who can meet you where you're at while also helping you see things from a different perspective. Growth takes patience, practice, and self-compassion and I bring that understanding into each session. My own life experiences have taught me that growth isn't always easy or linear. I've had to learn how to manage anxiety, strong emotions, and reactions that weren't helpful, and I've learned that developing new skills takes time and practice.
Ideal clients
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just not quite like yourself lately, you’re not alone. I work with clients who may be struggling with overthinking, anxiety, self-criticism, relationships, boundaries, or navigating changes in life. You may be someone who is used to handling everything on your own, has a hard time prioritizing yourself, or isn’t sure how to get out of the patterns that keep leaving you feeling drained. My goal is to provide a space where you can be yourself, talk things through without judgment, and work together on what you need and what you want for your life.
Treatment methods
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
I've been using CBT in my practice for the past five years. It's helped dozens of clients challenge recurring thoughts and manage their anxiety. We'll use CBT to examine how your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors interact. We'll then use that knowledge to change your thinking patterns, helping you lead a more relaxed, less stressful life.
Compassion-Focused
I use compassion-focused therapy to help clients better understand how they speak to and treat themselves, especially when they’re dealing with self-criticism, shame, anxiety, or feeling overwhelmed. We work on developing a kinder and more balanced way of responding to yourself, while still recognizing your emotions and challenges. My goal is to help you build self-compassion without minimizing what you’re going through.
Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
I use DBT skills to help clients better understand and manage difficult emotions, stress, and reactions. We may work on skills related to emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and communication. I focus on making these skills practical and easy to apply in everyday life, so you can feel more confident handling difficult situations and responding in ways that feel more helpful.
Trauma-Informed Care
I use a trauma-informed approach by creating a space where people feel safe, respected, and in control of their own healing. I recognize that past experiences can impact how we think, feel, and respond in the present. I focus on building trust, understanding your experiences without judgment, and moving at a pace that feels comfortable for you.
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- ConnecticutLicense 58.016034