About Karen
Karen Contardo is a licensed mental health counselor in Washington who helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, and self-esteem struggles. She also supports those facing life changes, grief, parenting challenges, sleep or eating problems, and questions about career and purpose. Her style is calm and straightforward, aimed at making therapy usable in day-to-day life.
With 15 years of clinical experience, Karen draws on practical methods that people can try between sessions.
Background and approach
She listens without judgment and works with each person to set realistic goals. Sessions focus on skills that reduce distress and build coping over time. Her approach blends acceptance and commitment ideas with client-centered listening and cognitive behavioral techniques.
That mix helps people notice what matters to them, shift unhelpful thought patterns, and try small behavior changes. Karen tailors tools to fit each person's routine and priorities. She often helps people dealing with chronic pain or illness, control issues, emptiness, impulsivity, and loneliness.
Many clients also seek support for midlife concerns, money stress, and women’s issues. Karen uses coaching elements when clients want practical plans for work, parenting, or life transitions. Sessions are offered in English.
People in Washington can expect a direct yet compassionate therapist who focuses on concrete steps and steady progress. The aim is to help people regain a sense of direction and feel more able to handle daily challenges.
How these approaches work online
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify what matters most to them and take small actions toward those values even when feelings are difficult. It can be useful for anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and life transitions.Client-Centered Therapy focuses on empathy and listening so a person feels heard and understood. That approach supports self-exploration and helps clients find their own solutions to relationship, identity, and purpose questions.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy addresses unhelpful thought patterns and teaches practical skills to change behavior and mood. It is often used for anxiety, sleep and eating concerns, and managing stress.
Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn't worked before, then try techniques together and adjust as needed. Clients and the therapist review progress and change course when something is not helpful.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text messaging, which offer flexibility for different schedules and needs. Video calls allow face-to-face conversations for deeper work. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging support people who benefit from brief, frequent check-ins or who prefer written communication for reflection.
Frequently asked questions
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Specialties and expertise
Top specialties
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Self esteem
Also works with
- Career difficulties
- Chronic pain, illness, and disability
- Coaching
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Depression
- Eating disorders
- Emptiness
- Family conflicts
- Grief
- Impulsivity
- Intimacy-related issues
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Money and financial issues
- Parenting issues
- Sleeping disorders
- Women's issues
- Young adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 15 years
- Licensed
- Washington
- Languages
- English