Meet Karen – Perinatal & Postpartum Therapist in California & Arizona
Hi, I’m Karen!
I’m a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California and Arizona, a perinatal therapist, and a mother of two. My own journey into this work began both professionally and personally.
I spent over a decade in medical settings, including high-acuity roles at Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns and the NICU at Rady Children’s Hospital. I supported families through some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives: pregnancy complications, emergency deliveries, NICU trauma, infant loss, and postpartum mental health struggles.
Then, in 2020, I became a mother myself. My pregnancy was complicated by a global pandemic, a NICU stay, and preeclampsia that led to a hospital readmission one week postpartum. What I had once witnessed from the outside—I was now living.
That experience reshaped me. It deepened my commitment to providing therapy that is not only clinically sound but deeply attuned to the lived realities of the perinatal journey.
How I work
I use evidence-based, trauma-informed, and deeply compassionate approaches that go beyond talk therapy. I’m trained in:
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) for birth trauma, NICU trauma, medical PTSD, attachment wounds, and perinatal mood disorders
IADC (Induced After Death Communication) and other advanced grief therapy techniques for miscarriage, stillbirth, and loss
Attachment-focused and inner child work, helping you heal relational patterns that may resurface in parenting
Somatic and nervous system support, so your body feels safe again—not just your mind
Relational therapy, where you are never just a diagnosis or a list of symptoms—you’re a full person, held with care
Therapy with me is not about fixing you. It’s about helping you come home to yourself.
Who I Work Best With
A Type A, high-functioning woman who's always been the one to get things done—but now feels out of control, anxious, or unrecognizable to herself
Someone struggling with the massive identity shifts that come with becoming a parent—wondering, who am I now?
A medical professional or therapist who knows how to care for others, but is unsure how to tend to her own grief, trauma, or postpartum mental health
A NICU or medically complex parent, whose nervous system is stuck in survival mode, even months (or years) after discharge
A first-generation daughter or someone raised in a culture where asking for help felt like weakness—and now that belief is colliding with the reality of postpartum life
An empath or overgiver who struggles to make space for herself, even as she tries to be everything for everyone else
A grieving parent navigating miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal loss, or complex grief that others can't see
What I Believe
You deserve care that honors your whole story — the joyful moments and the parts that feel too tender or heavy to say out loud.
Motherhood and partnership are not about perfection or constant strength. It’s okay to feel vulnerable, uncertain, and even overwhelmed — that doesn’t make you any less capable or worthy.
Healing is not a straight line, but it is possible, even when your life feels completely changed or uncertain.
Your pain and struggles are valid, and you never have to carry them alone. Compassion and support can help you reclaim your sense of self and hope.
Every mother’s journey is unique, shaped by culture, identity, and history — and your experiences deserve to be seen and honored as they are.
Together, we can create a space where you feel empowered to explore your emotions, find resilience, and nurture your wellbeing.
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
EMDR Foundational Training-The Touchstone Institute
IDAC Foundational Training
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!