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KC Portrait of Karen Contardo

Karen Contardo

Practical, collaborative therapy for life transitions

LMHC Washington

Experience
15 years in practice
Focus areas
Stress, Anxiety, Relationship, Self esteem
Approaches
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Languages
English
Continue with Karen

About Karen

Karen Contardo is a licensed mental health counselor practicing in Washington with 15 years of experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, depression, relationship struggles, and life changes.

Background and approach

She works with clients facing concerns such as self-esteem, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating and sleeping difficulties, parenting and career questions, and the emotional impacts of chronic pain, illness, or disability. Her practice also addresses challenges like impulsivity, isolation and loneliness, questions of life purpose and midlife transitions, and financial or control-related stressors.

Her therapeutic style emphasizes collaboration and respect for each person’s unique path. Using approaches drawn from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and client-centered therapy, she helps clients identify patterns, build coping skills, and clarify values to guide meaningful change.

Sessions aim to balance practical strategies with compassionate listening so clients can develop resilience and work toward goals such as improved mood, clearer priorities, or healthier relationships. Karen encourages realistic, stepwise progress and adapts methods to fit individual needs and circumstances.

She offers a supportive environment for exploring emotions, strengthening coping skills, and making decisions about career, relationships, and personal growth.

Integrating therapy approaches for online care

Karen draws on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support clients in online sessions. CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavioral patterns and teaching practical strategies to manage symptoms like anxiety, low mood, and sleep or eating concerns. ACT emphasizes values clarification and psychological flexibility, helping people move toward meaningful goals even when difficult emotions or chronic health issues are present.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic collaboration. Karen works together with each client to explore which methods feel most useful for their situation, tailoring techniques and pacing to match personal goals, preferences, and life circumstances rather than prescribing a single path from the start.

Online therapy with Karen is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility for busy schedules, mobility limitations, or geographic constraints. These formats allow for consistent check-ins, skill practice between sessions, and ongoing support while accommodating different communication styles and needs.

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of concerns does Karen address?
She supports people dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, self-esteem, grief, parenting and career questions, as well as challenges related to chronic pain, illness, and disability.
How would you describe her therapeutic approach?
Her work blends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and client-centered techniques to combine skill-building with empathic listening and values-based goal setting.
What is her professional background?
She has 15 years of experience as a practicing therapist working with a range of life transitions and emotional concerns.
What credentials and location are listed for her practice?
She is an LMHC licensed in Washington with license number WA LMHC LH60461716 and practices in that state.
Which languages does she offer therapy in and does she accept international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are available for working with her?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and availability.
How are sessions priced and billed?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesSelf esteemDepressionCoping with life changes

Also works with

Family conflictsGriefIntimacy-related issuesEating disordersSleeping disordersParenting issuesCareer difficultiesCoaching

Additional focus areas

Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityControl issuesEmptinessImpulsivityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesWomen's issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Experience

15+ years

Licensed

Washington

Languages

English