- Trauma and grief
- Parenting support
- Adoption and foster care
About Karen
Karen Santos is a PACFA-credentialed psychotherapist and social worker based in Australia. She has 12 years of experience helping people who are facing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting challenges and major life changes. She also works with those affected by trauma and abuse and with concerns related to adoption and foster care.
Karen uses clear, practical ways to help people feel steadier day to day. Sessions focus on what matters most to the person coming for help. She aims to build a calm, respectful space where people can talk through painful memories and find better ways to cope.
Her background includes community mental health case management alongside trauma and mental health counselling. That mix helps her connect practical supports with therapy work. She draws on knowledge of how trauma shapes the body and mind to guide treatment decisions.
Karen uses a mix of approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, emotionally-focused work and narrative methods. She is also developing skills in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. These tools are applied in straightforward ways, for example learning new coping skills, improving communication, or reworking difficult life stories.
Sessions can include work with parents and young people when that fits the goal. Karen aims to stay curious with each person and tailor sessions to specific needs. She describes her role as a partner on the journey toward more stable wellbeing.
How these approaches translate to online therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take small steps toward those values, often useful for anxiety, low mood and coping with life transitions. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on empathetic listening and creating a non-judgemental space so people can find their own answers, which can be especially helpful when processing grief or parenting worries. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) breaks problems into thoughts, feelings and actions and teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful patterns, useful for anxiety, depression and stress.Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences and what has or hasn’t helped before. Together they decide whether to use ACT, CBT, client-centred techniques or a blend of methods to suit the situation.
Confirm the current online session options before booking so you know what formats are available. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. They also let people continue therapy if they move across regions within Australia. Ask about session length and scheduling when you complete the short matching questionnaire so arrangements suit your routine.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
12+ years
Credentials
Australia
Languages
English, Tagalog
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Karen help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, parenting challenges and coping with life changes, along with trauma and abuse-related issues.
How would you describe her approach in sessions?
Sessions are practical and person-focused, using clear tools to build coping skills and improve communication.
What experience does she bring?
She has 12 years of clinical experience including community mental health case management and trauma counselling.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is PACFA credentialed and based in Australia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English and Tagalog.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin therapy?
Use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to the therapist's availability.