Karen Alkema

I specialize in working with individuals navigating cancer and chronic illness, those grieving as well as their caregivers and professional helpers who struggle with the emotional and physical toll of ongoing medical challenges.

Chronic conditions often bring invisible burdens: uncertainty, identity shifts, medical trauma, and the strain of long-term stress on the body and nervous system. Many of my clients wrestle with perfectionism, feeling like they are never enough, or believing their needs should always come last. Often, these patterns began as survival skills—ways to cope, push through, and stay in control when life feels unpredictable. My approach integrates IFS-informed EMDR, nervous system regulation, and practical tools to revise patterns of behavior and communication that interfere with self-care and healthy boundaries.

In our initial sessions, you’ll have the space to share your story at your own pace while ensuring you feel safe and supported. We'll also use this time to determine if we’re the right fit for working together. This is your opportunity to express where you feel stuck or overwhelmed. From there, we’ll collaboratively create a plan to help you experience meaningful change in your life, home, and relationships.