Family therapy and counseling in Woodland Hills, CA

Hello! I am Registered Yoga Teacher, Clinical Supervisor & Consultant, as well as a Certified Focusing-Oriented Expressive Arts Practitioner.

I have almost a decade of experience working with children, adults, couples, and families in a therapeutic capacity. I specialize in trauma and family work. I am an integrative psychotherapist – integrating art therapy, play therapy, sand tray, mindfulness, astrology, spirituality, and more into therapy.

I work with adults and seniors navigating anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, past hurts, and life transitions that can feel overwhelming to carry alone. Many of my clients come in feeling stuck, exhausted, or unsure how to move forward. My goal is to offer a supportive, welcoming space where you feel heard and understood as we work toward greater peace, confidence, and connection in your life.

I believe therapy is most effective when you feel accepted, understood, and empowered. My goal is to create a safe, supportive space where you can be yourself while also feeling challenged to grow. I meet clients where they are, recognizing that everyone comes to therapy with unique experiences, strengths, and goals.

I have been a mental health professional since 2006 and I strive to help people realize that “the grass is always greenest where you water it’-Unknown. My areas of special focus include grief, parent/adult child conflict, depression; anxiety, bi-polar, marital, self-esteem, academic, occupational, empty nest, personal coaching, and stress management. I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University, a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from California Baptist University and a Doctorate of Education in Psychology from Argosy University.

I am a bilingual (Spanish & English) marriage and family therapist licensed in California with over 14 years of experience working in clinical practice. I am born and raised in San Francisco's Mission District. I am Salvarodan and Nicaraguan; and a native Spanish speaker. I have served clients experiencing multiple occurring conditions requiring some form of crisis stabilization service or intervention. I have counseled individuals and families dealing with an array of issues such as immigration/deportation, domestic and community violence, teen pregnancy, work – readiness, homelessness, substance abuse, and more. I use a client-centered and strengths-based approach when I work with clients. I believe that it is critical to collaborate with cleints in identifying and attaining what they are seeking. I believe that clients are experts in their lives and I am an expert my field.

I specialize in supporting people who feel overwhelmed by anxiety, depression, stress, ADHD, trauma, life transitions and much more. I have extensive experience working with high acuity teens, and I also work with adults of all ages who are navigating imbalance, self-acceptance uncertainty, or emotional overload. I support parents who need guidance in understanding their child’s needs or simply a calm place to process their own feelings. No matter your age or background, if you are struggling to find balance and peace in life, I am here to help.

My approach begins with the belief that life poses great challenges for all of us. Through these challenges, we develop adaptive patterns that may help us survive but can also bring disharmony. I aim to help you bring awareness to these patterns, loosen their grip, and reshape them so you can find greater balance and harmony in your relationship with yourself, others, and the world.

My name is Karen and I have been working in mental health for 25 years. It is rewarding to witness my clients take charge of their lives and connect them to what they find most meaningful. Whether it’s listening, teaching new skills, or offering constructive feedback, I work closely with each person so they can find more joy in life.