Meet Your Perinatal Therapist
Hi, I'm Karen — your dedicated perinatal therapist.
Hi there! I'm Karen, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and mother of two, specializing in perinatal mental health and therapy for parents and parents-to-be. Since 2014, I’ve been supporting individuals through the emotional ups and downs of pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenthood.
My passion for this work is both professional and personal. I’ve navigated two high-risk pregnancies with preeclampsia—one during the height of the pandemic that led to an inpatient stay postpartum, and another that required me to go on early disability leave at 24 weeks. These experiences have given me a deep, lived understanding of how physically and emotionally challenging the perinatal period can be.
Whether you're facing fertility struggles, pregnancy-related anxiety, birth trauma, NICU stays, or the challenges of postpartum adjustment, I’m here to support you with evidence-based care and heartfelt compassion. You're not alone in this—your story matters, and healing is possible.
Compassionate Support for High-Risk Pregnancy, Birth Trauma, and NICU
I bring over a decade of experience supporting families in hospital settings, where I’ve had the honor of walking alongside parents during some of their most vulnerable moments. I worked for 5 years as a per diem social worker at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns, home to a Level III NICU and one of the busiest birthing hospitals in California.
I also spent 10 years at Rady Children’s Hospital, serving in a Level IV NICU—supporting parents navigating complex medical diagnoses, premature births, and extended NICU stays. These years deepened my understanding of the emotional toll of high-risk pregnancies, birth trauma, and early parenthood, and continue to inform the compassionate care I offer in therapy today.
From Hospital to Home — and Beyond
Before opening my private practice, I expanded my expertise as a perinatal therapist through virtual care platforms like Octave and Maven Clinic, where I provided accessible, high-quality mental health support to parents across diverse settings and stages. These experiences deepened my commitment to making therapy approachable and inclusive—no matter where you are in your parenting journey.
Today, I offer both in-person and virtual perinatal therapy for clients in California and Arizona, meeting you wherever you are—whether that’s from your couch, your car, or a hospital room.
If you’re in yoga pants or running on little sleep, you’re in the right place. You don’t have to have it all together here. Together, we’ll create a safe, supportive space to navigate this season with compassion, flexibility, and evidence-based strategies that truly meet your needs.
Qualifications
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California Licensed Clinical Social Worker #89083
Arizona Licensed Clinical Social Worker #22672
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Bachelors in Psychology and Social Behavior-University of Irvine, California
Masters in Social Work-University of Southern California
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Perinatal Mental Health Certified #PSI10125
Getting started
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I offer a 15 minute consultation session to ensure prospective clients feel our work together will be supportive, impactful, and the right fit for them.
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California Residents: we can meet virtually through my HIPPA secured platform on SimplePractice.
San Diego locals: If you prefer in person sessions we can also meet at my centrally located Mission Valley office!