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Hi there, my name is Karen Joaquin and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Nevada. I love working with motivated and insightful adults and teens (men, women, and non-binary), who want to better understand how their past impacts them and are ready for meaningful change in their lives. There are times in life when we need someone to just listen with empathy only, and while that is part of what I do, in order to receive the most from therapy, you must be ready to be pushed towards the version of yourself you want to be.
My approach
Although there are a lot of effective strategies, therapy isn't one size fits all. My approach is tailored to each individual: I use CBT, DBT, EMDR, attachment-based interventions, and Internal Family Systems. Because I love it and it is a part of my personal journey, I also teach about the mind-body connection and ways to work with the nervous system to improve mood regulation.
My focus
Clients with PTSD and complex PTSD benefit from my services the most as well as those who want to learn about the mind-body connection and are ready to do the deep, sometimes difficult work. I enjoy working with diverse clients and have worked with anxiety, depression, complex trauma, family of origin issues, addiction issues, grief and loss, interpersonal conflict, and career/life transitions.
My communication style
I believe that you are the expert of your own experience and often just need to be led to insight and change. I take a down-to-earth approach and I will help support you through the tough stuff.
My journey to mental healthcare
I obtained my Marriage and Family Therapist license in 2014. I cut my teeth as an intern working with teens and adults, many referred from the justice system or from Child Protective Services. I then moved to county mental health to support those who have serious mental health conditions. During this time, I noticed that many clients were not getting the support they needed and I was determined to do what I could to help. I have taken thousands of hours of additional training in a broad range of topics including emotional regulation, trauma work, challenges with anxiety & depression, and family of origin. Another area of focus in my studies has been the experiences of those in the LGBTQIA+ community, and I enjoy supporting those in or considering transitioning. I am currently nearing completion of my Doctorate in Psychology, and I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2 (CCTP-II).
