Karen Contardo

Karen Contardo offers compassionate, nonjudgmental counseling aimed at helping people develop greater self-compassion and healthier ways of living. She creates a kind and safe space where the therapeutic work is shared - counseling asks for commitment, and she partners with clients to learn new approaches and practice skills that support their goals.

Karen focuses sessions on what matters most to each person, helping set achievable goals and practicing practical strategies to manage life’s difficulties. She works with issues such as stress and anxiety, depressive thoughts, loss of focus or motivation, worry and difficulty completing tasks, relationship and family concerns, self-esteem and confidence, intimacy-related issues, grief, eating and sleeping concerns, parenting challenges, and career planning and coaching.

She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington - credential WA LMHC LH60461716 - and has 15 years of professional experience providing therapy both online and in person. Karen earned a Master of Arts in Community Counseling in 2010. Prior to becoming a therapist she spent 14 years in higher education, including at least 9 years working with students on wellness topics such as disordered eating, adjusting to change, and career decisions.

Karen treats everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion. She is optimistic about each person’s capacity to become healthier and supports clients throughout the healing process by collaborating on individualized treatment plans and encouraging practical, achievable change.