Karen is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who is LGBTQIA+ affirming and has worked with clients experiencing trauma, depression, anxiety, difficulties with attachment, life transitions, and other mental health concerns.
She believes in making sure her clients feel they are in a safe space by creating a nonjudgmental and culturally sensitive environment. Karen has experience working with military families and children and has been a teacher, trainer, and director for the Navy Child and Youth Programs for 13+ years and has worked in an AAPI community-based program. Being a first-generation Asian American from the Philippines, she understands clients who experience bicultural changes that involve environmental issues and family dynamics.
Karen believes in the holistic approach such as connecting the body, mind, and spirit to further one’s healing journey. She uses a variety of skills learned from evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Interviewing to collaborate with her clients to achieve their goals. Karen has her Master’s in Marital and Family Therapy from Alliant International University and is a certified Positive Discipline Parent Educator. Karen is a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (143061) who is supervised by Sophie Gazda, LPCC in our La Mesa location. Karen is accepting new patients for in person care in Feb 2024.
