Karen Contardo, LMHC

Karen Contardo is a licensed mental health counselor who helps people cope with anxiety, depression, relationship problems, grief, and life changes. She brings 15 years of experience and focuses on practical ways to manage stress, improve self-esteem, and handle parenting or career decisions.

Her sessions are straightforward and person-focused. She listens first and then helps people try tools that fit their day-to-day life. Sessions emphasize small, doable steps that build confidence over time.

Karen uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and client-centered methods to shape the work. That can mean noticing unhelpful thoughts, trying new behaviors, or clarifying values and goals. She matches the approach to what each person needs rather than using a one-size-fits-all plan.

People who turn to her often face chronic pain or illness, major life transitions, loneliness, or questions about purpose. She also supports concerns around intimacy, eating and sleeping, money stress, and midlife challenges. Conversations focus on clear goals and practical strategies that fit real life.

Sessions are offered from Washington and are delivered using video, phone, live chat, or text messaging. Karen aims to create a calm, respectful space where people can talk through what matters and try steps that help them move forward.

How treatment approaches translate to online care

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, focuses on spotting thoughts and behaviors that make problems worse and practicing different responses. It helps with anxiety, low mood, sleep troubles, and relationship patterns by breaking big problems into small, testable steps.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, concentrates on values and willingness to feel difficult emotions while still moving toward what matters. That approach is useful for chronic pain, life transitions, and issues when people feel stuck or empty.

Client-centered therapy centers the conversation on the person’s experience. The therapist offers a calm, listening presence and helps people find their own solutions rather than directing the work.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the process. The therapist will work together with each person to choose methods that fit their goals, preferences, and day-to-day life. Plans can change as needs evolve.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text messaging to make regular work more practical. Video works well for deeper conversation and exercises that use visual cues. Phone can fit into a busy day or be used when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text messaging make quick check-ins and brief coaching possible between longer sessions. These options help people keep momentum while balancing work, family, and other responsibilities.