I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in California and Montana with over seventeen years of experience working with children, adolescents, and families. I hold a BS in Psychology as well as an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy both from George Fox University. During my internship while a student at school I developed a passion for working with children and their families and decided it would be my primary focus. After I graduated from college, I relocated to California where I spent many years working for a private non-profit agency and a foster family agency providing individual, family and group therapy in a variety of settings. In 2018 I became a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor ® and I am working towards becoming a Animal Assisted Play Therapist ® (AAPT) and have been integrating my Chocolate Labrador, Theo, into my practice. I also have training in Sandtray therapy, Art therapy, and Theraplay ®. I recently graduated from the Center for Adoption Support and Education’s Training for Adoption Competency (TAC) program. I am also a Certified Nurtured Heart Approach Trainer.
I use a person-centered, holistic, multicultural, and integrative approach in treatment. This means I begin where you are and tailor the treatment approach to your needs while being sensitive to how your individual cultural identities and lifestyle choices impact your experience. I use cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, motivational interviewing, solution-focused counseling, nurtured heart approach and play therapy.
I began my work with children and families early on in my career and decided it was where I wanted to focus my practice. I have a passion for working with children and families as I recognize the importance of them growing up in a loving home. During my early work I fell in love with play therapy recognizing that kids often don’t want to sit down and talk through their feelings, but rather they play out their feelings and experiences. With the tweens and teens I will use games, art, or other inventions to engage them and help them express their feelings and experiences.
I also believe in not only focusing on the child, but the whole family, which is why I include the parents as part of the process recognizing the family is a system, not just individual parts. My experience is parents often need support and ideas about how to support their child with whatever they might be struggling with. I love what I do and strive to meet the needs of the child and their family believing they have the strengths and resources they need to solve their problems, as they are the experts of their lives, family, and experiences.
I grew up in a little town in Montana where most of my family still lives. Theo and I get back to Montana to visit a few times each year. I love to read, run, put together jig saw puzzles, ride my bike and go for long walks by the river with Theo.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, Relationship issues, Family conflicts, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Adoption and Foster Care, Attachment issues, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Impulsivity, Mood disorders , Post-traumatic stress, Social anxiety and phobia
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy
CA LMFT 46824
MT LMFT BBH-LMFT-LIC-45282
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Karen Boe. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Karen was so great and so helpful! She listened and asked great questions to help me. I would highly recommend!
Written on Jul 21, 2021 after therapy with Karen for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and relationship issues
She is amazing. Very intuitive and has some solid, healing homework for you to work on if you listen for it, or partake in it!
Written on May 22, 2021 after therapy with Karen for 1 month
She is very personable lady and I feel confident sharing with her.We have only had one session but I really liked the experience.
Written on Mar 15, 2021 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks
Karen Boe is seriously the best counselor I've ever had. I was skeptical about starting therapy again, but she has been very kind receptive and helpful. She listens and really cares. I am happy I have her to guide me through my life!
Written on Feb 02, 2021 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, parenting issues, and self esteem