My Approach to Helping
Karen Pender creates a safe and respectful space where her clients can share their innermost thoughts, emotions, and feelings without judgment or blame. She empowers clients to cope with stress, build resilience, and reclaim their agency and dignity through the use of evidence-based and culturally appropriate interventions that address the root causes of trauma and promote healing and wellness. In her practice, Karen provides psychotherapeutic services to clients ages 18 to 85, including individual therapy, group therapy, couples therapy, and family therapy. Her target population is, but is not limited to, BIPOC females who experience anxiety, depression, and issues of low self-esteem due to unresolved trauma. She is an accountability partner, confidence builder, and overall encourager who aids clients in goal setting and achieving goals. There may have been events or experiences in life that shook your confidence and have you playing small or not functioning at optimum capacity. By working with Karen, you can address those challenges. Karen employs a mix of cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, and mindfulness to assist clients in working through life’s challenges. Karen is a graduate of Strayer University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and holds a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Walden University. Karen has been in the field of mental health for the past nine years and became licensed in the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2018. She is also an Approved Clinical Supervisor who trains and develops up-and-coming mental health professionals.