I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 30+ years as a psychotherapist. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, grief and loss and substance abuse tied to loneliness. I have also worked with clients who are coping with severe bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. I have, what is now, a mild stutter as well as some dyslexia. I understand, more than most, the challenges faced by non-neurotypical individuals.
I have been fortunate enough to live in Canada for much of the year over the past nine years so I am familiar with the health and housing systems that need to be negotiated there.
My therapy style is warm and supportive. I believe in treatment with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, but also accountability. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, client centered, solution focused, and rational-emotive therapy. We will work together to find what best meets your needs and goals.
Real change takes work and commitment. I am ready to help.
I look forward to working with you!
Professional experience
30 yrs in practice
Stress and anxiety Relationship issues Trauma and abuse Bipolar disorder Depression
Additional areas of focus:Coping with addictions, Family conflicts, Coping with grief and loss, Intimacy related issues, Eating disorders, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Motivation, self esteem, and confidence, Career difficulties, Coping with life changes, Executive and professional coaching, Compassion fatigue, Concentration, memory and focus (ADHD), Abandonment, Aging and geriatric issues, Attachment issues, Autism and Asperger Syndrome, Avoidant personality, Blended family issues, Cancer, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain, illness, and disability, Codependency, Commitment issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol addiction, Emptiness, Family of origin issues, Family problems, First responder issues, Forgiveness, Guilt and shame, Hospice and end-of-life counseling, Impulsivity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Midlife crisis, Mood disorders, Narcissism, Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Paranoia, Personality disorders, Phobias, Postpartum depression, Post-traumatic stress, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-harm, Self-love, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Women's issues, Workplace issues
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Karen Lakritz. 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.
Someone I can’t do without. She gives me the tools to deal with real life and work stressed
Written on Sep 09, 2026 after therapy with Karen for 2 years and 1 month on issues concerning stress, anxiety, sleeping disorders, self esteem, career difficulties, and coaching
Karen Lakritz is phenomenal at what she does. She really cares and is able to pin point rather quickly my poor emotional habits and cycles. She has very encouraging and useful advice.
For the first time in my life I have been able to confidently apply our sessions into my everyday reality. Karen is slowly but surely transforming me. I am so grateful for her!
Written on Sep 09, 2026 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, and adhd
I would highly recommend my therapist, Karen Lakritz. I have only been with BetterHelp for less than a month, and after having the loss of many doctors and therapists (one who actually passed away, and I’m still processing that grief), it was so important to me to get someone I felt understood the myriad of issues I’m experiencing right now. Karen is personable, knowledgeable in mental health, and gets to the heart of the matter. I did feel that immediate bond. Highly recommend (but don’t poach all the good appointment times! Haha). I feel like maybe I can get my smile and hope back instead of crying and panicking so much. I struggled with severe anxiety again and she is giving me an action plan to work with me on…empowerment, instead of dependency, which is what I needed. Thank you!
Written on Jun 03, 2026 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, coping with life changes, coaching, compassion fatigue, and adhd
Has good insights and fresh ideas of ways to cope with various scenarios.
Written on Feb 26, 2026 after therapy with Karen for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, family conflicts, grief, and self esteem
Real therapy, surprisingly more helpful than I thought. Being acknowledged is a powerful healing source. I would recommend this to anyone. Do this for yourself.
Written on Feb 09, 2026 after therapy with Karen for 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, and self esteem
I've only seen Karen a couple of times so far but I find her very helpful. Not only does she listen but she has sent me papers to read and things to help me during the week.
Written on Sep 09, 2025 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, and coping with life changes
she offers Great coping skills and listens with an open mind. look forward to my future sessions with her!
Written on Aug 05, 2025 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and relationship issues
Very supportive and understanding!
She is very observant of thought patterns and behaviors!
Written on Jul 18, 2025 after therapy with Karen for 11 months on issues concerning depression, and stress, anxiety
Karen listens well and gave great feedback. I have had good sessions with her.
Written on Jun 12, 2025 after therapy with Karen for 5 months on issues concerning relationship issues
Very intelligent, understanding and sets goals and tasks to help yourself on your free time
Written on Jun 04, 2025 after therapy with Karen for 1 year and 5 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, anger management, and bipolar disorder
The call with Karen was exactly what I expected for therapy. She understood my issues and had a plan with how to help.
Written on Nov 10, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and compassion fatigue
Karen is such a special therapist and has helped me through some incredibly challenging times. So kind, yet direct. She makes me feel heard and seen.
Written on Oct 07, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 2 years and 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, bipolar disorder, and adhd
Karen has helped me unlock certain things about my childhood that I would’ve never guessed to have affected me as an adult. She has given me good advice and helped discover things about me. Although it’s early days I’m very grateful to have been paired with her for this being my first time ever doing therapy
Written on Sep 06, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, intimacy-related issues, eating disorders, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and coping with life changes
I absolutely love Karen and I’m excited for more sessions together
Written on Sep 04, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, self esteem, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Karen is wonderful! I honestly do not have the words to explain how rewarding our sessions have been
Written on Jun 20, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Great Therapist. Very realistic and well humoured.
Written on Apr 13, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning trauma and abuse, and grief
Karen and I connected immediately and she’s been a wonderful source of insight and reflection. She’s helps me feel completely at ease and provides a safe space for me to open up and talk about the things I need to heal from.
Written on Apr 01, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 1 month on issues concerning depression, and grief
Karen is a knowledgeable and kind and meets me where I am. She helps me make active changes to improve my life and is very supportive along the way.
Written on Feb 11, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes
Is an amazing therapist listens to me understand where im coming from and makes me feel good
Written on Jan 29, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 1 month on issues concerning bipolar disorder
She is great!
Written on Jan 03, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
I started counselling with Karen in 2022 and made significant progress. Then I took a break for a while and came back in 2023. It was like we had never stopped. Karen had remembered things we spoke about way back.
I am so grateful to Karen for the care she has taken of me and how she has helped me get back on my feet again and again.
Karen is extremely professional, thorough, honest and kind.
I have never been in a better place than I am now and I owe that to Karen and her guidance.
Written on Jun 02, 2023 after therapy with Karen for 1 year and 2 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Karen had been absolutely amazing. She gives me the most helpful tips and talking with her feels like talking to a friend.
Written on Apr 21, 2023 after therapy with Karen for 3 months on issues concerning grief
Karen is focused, very supportive and enthusiastic. She provided me with many useful tips to relieve anxiety and helped me to find support during my hard times.
Written on Apr 15, 2023 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, parenting issues, self esteem, and anger management
Fantastic, really helped me through a rough time. Karen is a great listener, funny and very wise. She gives amazing advice and suggestions just when I needed it.
Written on Feb 27, 2023 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, self esteem, and coping with life changes
Karen is very understanding, with a wealth of knowledge. She knows the right questions to ask,, and is very supportive! 100% recommend her for your journey to healing
Written on Feb 18, 2023 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, coping with life changes, and adhd
Brisbane, Australia
Even with such a significant difference in countries, times and legal systems, Karen has helped me through it all. I left Karen once to find cheaper therapy… never again. Health is wealth.
Written on Feb 17, 2023 after therapy with Karen for 1 year on issues concerning stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, and bipolar disorder
Karen is an amazing therapist! I wouldn't have made so much progress without her. She really motivated me to reach my goals and actively work on my problems. She has a great sense of humor so it was fun having sessions with her. And she has decades of experience so she knows her stuff! I highly recommend her.
Written on Feb 07, 2023 after therapy with Karen for 2 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and self esteem
Karen has been the best therapist I've ever had the pleasure to speak to. Within the first session she had established a portrait of me and my problems so well, I thought I was looking in the mirror. It felt like she had known me for years. She even provided me long term home/self work and I am grateful. I will definitely be leaning on her again when I next need support!
Written on Sep 29, 2022 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, addictions, and relationship issues
Karen is great! We’ve had a couple of sessions and after each one I feel lighter and more complete. She allows me to talk about what I feel is important or she helps me find the most important thing to deal with. Can’t wait for our next session!
Written on Aug 31, 2022 after therapy with Karen for 4 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, grief, eating disorders, and self esteem
Karen is wise, clear and incredibly kind. She knows when to just listen and when to talk through thoughts or feelings. I am constantly taken aback at how wonderfully personal she is, she remembers everything you tell her with detail and in a way that feels like one is truly & deeply cared for. I could not be more grateful for the ways in which Karen has helped me work on my thought processing, anxiety, etc.
Written on Jul 18, 2022 after therapy with Karen for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, family conflicts, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Karen makes me feel heard and understood. I always look forward to talking to her. She encourages me to face my fears and celebrates my small victories. I highly appreciate her help! She is such a great mentor for me.
Written on Jun 30, 2022 after therapy with Karen for 3 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, self esteem, trauma and abuse, and addictions
Karen has helped me understand my issues without ever telling me what has to be done. She has a talent of making you get there alone. That can only be achieve thro experience, open heart and a good ear. She made me grow and learn to take a step forward and I will stay with her even when things get calmer. Ita really great to habe a place to come back to.
Written on Jun 12, 2022 after therapy with Karen for 4 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Karen is a professional she listened to me thoroughly and had immediate insight and instructions. Strongly recommend her!
Written on May 16, 2022 after therapy with Karen for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, and self esteem
Karen is amazing and very professional and knowledgeable. I highly recommend her.
Written on May 07, 2022 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning stress, anxiety, and career difficulties
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