Therapist Karen Gano Photo

Karen Gano, LCSW, LCSW-C

Relationships Trauma, Abuse Grief Self esteem, Motivation Coping with life changes
Video Phone Messaging

About me

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin

Hello. My name is Karen Gano, and I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in New Mexico, Colorado, Maine, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Australia. I received my Masters degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh, and I have over 30 years of clinical counseling experience.

My specialty is what I call Empowerment Counseling. I have a Motivational Interviewing style, and I use Compassion-Focused, Client-Centered, Solution Focused Brief (SFBT), Mindfulness, and Strength Based therapies to assist clients in improving their outlook and life. I have a holistic and goal oriented practice, working primarily with women who are going through some type of life transition whether it be separation, divorce, career changes, relocation, empty nest, illness, etc. I also provide counseling to healthcare workers as I have been a practicing medical social worker throughout my career, and I have worked in trauma, emergency medicine, critical care, oncology, palliative care, and domestic abuse.

We can all benefit from talking to someone now and again. It is my primary goal to empower clients so that they can build and expand their "team," discover their voice, increase self-awareness and esteem, and make wanted changes in their life. My professional and personal mantra is "Self-Care + Time = Healing." I can help you with healthy coping strategies and tools to guide you from surviving to thriving.

I very much look forward to working with you!

Professional experience

33yrs in practice
Relationships Trauma, Abuse Grief Self esteem, Motivation Coping with life changes

Additional areas of focus: Stress, Anxiety, Addictions, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Anger management, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Depression, Coaching, Compassion fatigue, Abandonment, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Blended Family Issues, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Codependency, Divorce and separation, Domestic Violence, Expats, Family of Origin Issues, Fertility Issues, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Women's issues

Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy

Services offered

Video
Phone
Messaging

License information

ME LCSW LC21694

MD LCSW-C 27193

CO LCSW CSW.09924060

DC LICSW LC2000001

NM LCSW C-09421

VA LCSW 0904010653

PA LCSW CW019060

Reviews

These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Karen Gano. 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.

Great!

Written on Oct 20, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 7 months on issues concerning family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and coaching

Karen is an extremely kind, knowledgeable, and compassionate professional. She has helped me greatly in dealing with past trauma as well as present issues. She guides me in learning the personal development skills necessary to cope with challenges.

Written on Oct 08, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 2 years on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, self esteem, and adhd

Karen Gano listens to me and gives me insights into my behavior, which helps me see how I might effect change in my life. I appreciate her encouragement to journal and she responds to my writings. I would recommend her to anyone!

Written on Sep 21, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 6 months on issues concerning depression, trauma and abuse, and eating disorders

Karen has helped me in numerous ways!
Very empathetic and a great sounding board and guide for everything that comes up!
Thank you Karen.

Written on Sep 01, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 1 year and 8 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, intimacy-related issues, anger management, and coaching

She’s wonderful!

Written on Jul 13, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 1 year and 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self esteem, and career difficulties

Karen takes the time to understand and appreciate my family and pets and incorporates them into my wellbeing

Written on Jun 20, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and grief