Pamela Karnes

As a veteran and a person in long-term recovery, I learned firsthand that substance use is rarely just about the substance itself. Often, unresolved trauma, mental health challenges, and painful life experiences contribute to the path of addiction. This understanding inspired me to broaden my perspective and return to school, where I earned my master’s degree in mental health counseling. Today, I use both my education and lived experience to help others understand the deeper causes of substance use, find hope, and build meaningful lives in recovery.

My approach to therapy is open, honest, and forthright. I believe humor can be a valuable part of the therapeutic process and help clients identify and address issues that may be holding them back.

I am trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) and have successfully used this approach to help clients process trauma and other distressing experiences. I also incorporate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help clients recognize unhelpful patterns and develop healthier ways of thinking and responding.

Because people are complex, I take a holistic approach to counseling. Clients rarely struggle in only one area of their lives; emotional health, relationships, physical well-being, past experiences, and current circumstances are often interconnected. Together, we look at the whole person—not simply a diagnosis or a symptom.

As Bill Wilson wisely said, “You cannot think your way into right action, but you can act your way into right thinking.” I believe meaningful change often begins by taking one healthy step, even before we feel completely ready.

During our first session, we will review the paperwork you signed to ensure you understand the therapeutic process, your rights, and what you can expect from counseling. We will also begin getting to know one another and explore what brought you to therapy: Why now? What happened, and what would you like to change?

Together, we will identify your strengths, your support system, your immediate concerns, and your personal goals. From there, we will develop an individualized treatment plan and determine the best path forward—at a pace that feels both comfortable and productive for you.