Karen Smith

Hey there, I’m Karen, a licensed clinical social worker (LSCSW) who brings warmth and humor to our therapy sessions, fostering a strong, trusting relationship as the foundation for pursuing your goals. Through my telehealth practice, I support adults in Kansas navigating personal challenges, life obstacles, and mental health concerns. I personalize my approach with each client, helping them uncover new possibilities and create meaningful emotional change.

I specialize in working with adults navigating hurdles like ADHD, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, self-esteem, and relationship issues, plus other emotional and mental health concerns. Whether you’re managing stress or seeking personal development, I offer education and skills to support your journey of growth. I especially enjoy assisting clients who come across as overly blunt or harsh, guiding them to refine their communication to connect more effectively while staying authentic.

My communication style is authentic, playful, and direct, paired with a splash of humor. I cultivate a space where you can explore and share freely. With thoughtful observation and clear communication, I notice what’s often overlooked and encourage honest dialogue.

I help you reach your goals by customizing therapy to fit you. I share analogies and relatable stories to bring clarity. I empower you to tap into your values, strengths, and passions to grow with integrity. By viewing emotions as messengers, not problems, I offer coping skills to manage them in a healthy way, giving you tools to find calm and achieve lasting progress.

My approach is trauma-informed and client-centered, creating a safe space for individualized healing and growth. I draw from evidence-based modalities like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to customize sessions to your specific needs. With empathic and intuitive listening, I create an environment where you’re encouraged to stretch and evolve, while also feeling heard and validated. Together, we’ll tackle emotional learning gaps and unhealthy relationship patterns, to ignite resilience and lasting progress.

The first session with me is a curious, structured conversation where I guide you through intake questions to learn about your background, goals, and experiences, with a touch of chit-chat and humor to ease any jitters. I’ll explore your challenges, communication style, and relational patterns, to gain insight into what holds you back, laying a foundation for our work together. While we won’t dive deep into your full story yet, you’ll feel heard and supported as we start building rapport and a custom plan for your journey.