Meet Karen Williams
Karen Williams is a licensed psychotherapist and clinical social worker who specializes in helping individuals, couples, and families with their mental health concerns. She is also a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). Karen runs a virtual mental health practice that provides a safe and non-judgmental environment for clients to begin their healing journey.
Not only is Karen dedicated to her clients, but she is also passionate about supporting her fellow therapists. Her interest in helping them prioritize their mental health to serve their clients better has earned her the well-deserved nickname, 'The Therapist's Therapist.'
Karen's areas of expertise also include working with perinatal and postpartum populations, college students, individuals with adjustment issues, and healthcare professionals. She is passionate about helping people to heal, one generation at a time.
Personal Milestones
Where are you from?
Buffalo, NY
First Job
Buffalo Summer Youth at 14 doing community work, then a year or two later, my first "real job" (It felt more real because I was working all year in addition to school and sports) was as a cashier at Dots Clothing Store.
One thing most people don't know about you:
I love a good mystery, suspense, or horror movie.
What motivates you to pursue current and new passions?
A desire to learn and evolve.
What is your biggest accomplishment at this point in your life?
Starting my own business! I have a private practice as a mental health therapist.
Describe one thing you know now that you wish you knew at 18 years old.
Travel, travel, travel. Try to study abroad. Try new things. Start saving for retirement NOW. Most importantly, relax. Life is a journey. It will continue to have bumps, twists, and turns. The only constant in life is change.
Professional Milestones
Are you a full-time business owner, a professional, or both?
I am a working professional, and I own a business as a Psychotherapist/LCSW-R, CASAC (Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Credentialed Alcoholism and substance abuse counselor)
What inspired you to start your business?
I always had a goal of opening a private practice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I started working virtually as a therapist in community mental health, and it made me realize that I could start my private practice now rather than later. At this same time, the Black Lives Matter movement grew, and there was an increased media broadcasting of the mistreatment of black and brown people. The pandemic and the demands placed on therapists and healthcare providers highlighted a pain point for a lot of individuals in the healthcare industry: they do not take care of their mental health. From there, I became determined to be the therapist for the therapist. In addition, I am working with my other specialties, such as trauma, compassion fatigue, burnout, adjustment issues, perinatal postpartum population, and college students.
Describe in one word what it's like to be a woman of color in your industry.
Extraordinary
What's next for you or your business?
I have so many goals for my business, but I will focus on the top two goals I am working on this year. I plan to do more speaking engagements in the community. I want to highlight the benefits of therapy and normalize seeking therapy. I currently provide Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, and the next step/ goal is to provide EMDR intensive sessions. EMDR is a specialized therapeutic intervention to help you heal from trauma or other distressing life experiences. I plan to start providing EMDR intensives where someone can receive an EMDR session longer. This intensive treatment may reduce the cost of long-term therapy and help people feel better faster.
Connect with Karen
Karen Williams, LCSW-R, CASAC
Website: karenwilliamslcswr.com
Facebook page: Karen Williams, LCSWR, CASAC
Instagram: Karen.williams.lcswr
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