Profile / United States
Karen Contardo, LMHC
Washington
LMHC - Stress and Anxiety
See online therapy options- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
- Client-Centered Therapy
About Karen
Karen Contardo is a Washington state LMHC with 15 years of experience. She works with people facing stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and self-esteem concerns. She also helps with life changes, grief, intimacy-related issues, and parenting and career questions.
Her approach blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and client-centered methods. Sessions focus on noticing unhelpful thoughts and habits. She uses practical exercises and short experiments to test different ways of responding to difficult situations.
Karen often supports people managing chronic pain, illness, or disability and those dealing with control issues or feelings of emptiness. She also addresses impulsivity, loneliness, questions about life purpose, midlife transitions, and financial stress. Her practice includes attention to women's issues and young adult concerns.
In a session she listens, reflects what she hears, and offers concrete tools to try between meetings. Work may include thought records, behavioral activation, values clarification, and acceptance skills. Progress is measured by changes in daily habits and what clients notice they can do differently.
People who choose her can expect a focus on practical steps and collaborative planning. The emphasis is on clear strategies to reduce distress and increase functioning. To begin, clients complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session.
How CBT, ACT and Client-Centered Work Remotely
CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and testing new behaviors. It uses short exercises like thought records and activity plans to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. ACT emphasizes values and willingness to accept difficult feelings while taking steps that matter to the person. Client-centered work centers on listening and reflecting so the person can organize their own goals.Finding the right mix of approaches is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences, and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide which practices to try and adjust methods based on what the client reports between sessions.
Confirm current session options before booking, as formats are not listed here. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into busy days, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. It can also make it simpler to practice skills in daily life and to review exercises between meetings. Licensed professionals often use this flexibility to keep therapy practical and focused on real-world changes.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
15+ years
Listed in
Washington
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of concerns does she address?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and self-esteem issues, and life transitions. Additional focuses include chronic pain, grief, midlife questions, and career or financial stress.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
Sessions are practical and structured, with attention to thoughts, behaviors, and values. She offers exercises and short experiments to try between meetings.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 15 years of experience working with adults on a range of emotional and practical concerns.
What credential does she hold and where is she based?
She is an LMHC licensed in Washington and practices with that credential in that state.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How are sessions scheduled and paid for?
Cost varies by location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time. Exact pricing is provided during the matching process.
What are the first steps to begin?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.
Details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. A license can be checked with the state board.
Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.