Karen Foley, LICSW

Karen Foley is a LICSW licensed in Washington with 32 years of clinical experience. She works with people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, addictions, trauma and abuse, low self-esteem, and depression. She also supports concerns such as body image, communication problems, control issues, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, and feelings of isolation.

Her approach is practical and conversational. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and try different responses. She also draws on Client-Centered methods to keep the focus on what matters most to the person in the room.

Karen combines elements of Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness to help people manage intense emotions and pay attention to present-moment experience. Motivational Interviewing is part of how she talks about change and readiness when habits or addictions are involved. Sessions emphasize small steps and concrete strategies rather than abstract theory.

She frames problems as things that can be worked on together, focusing on clear goals and measurable progress. Conversations typically include reviewing how skills are going in everyday life and adjusting them when needed. Practical homework and skill practice are often part of the work between sessions.

Karen stresses respect for each person’s story and strengths. She encourages people to take the first step and uses straightforward methods to build momentum toward clearer thinking and more manageable habits.

How Karen uses CBT, DBT, and client-centered work online