I am living in Naples, Florida now since June of 2018 after 5 years of directing a counseling center that I founded in January of 2013 in North Carolina. I started as the sole practitioner then added a few counselors as clientele began to grow and by the end of the second year there were 12 counselors working in our center. There were interns from several universities accruing hours toward their graduate degrees in professional counseling and I was their supervisor. All graduated successfully and some stayed on to accrue hours toward licensure and before I moved to Florida several obtained their licensed professional counselor statuses in the state of North Carolina. I loved working with my clients and I truly enjoyed supervising the interns. I left the center in good hands in January of 2018 to be closer to family in Florida where I am also licensed.
I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Church Leadership with a concentration in Bible in 2006 and then continued at Southeastern University to earn my Masters of Science in Professional Counseling graduating in 2009. I began counseling at Hope Counseling Centers in Lakeland, Florida in 2008 working under the supervision of three supervisors; one Licensed Mental Health Counselor and two psychologists while working on my masters degree, internship and state licensure. My degree conferred in February of 2010 after completion of my internship. I obtained my state licensure in Florida in 2014 and my North Carolina State Licensure in June of 2015 after relocating there.
After moving to Florida I kept many of my North Carolina clients that were interested in video-conferencing. I received my Board Certified TeleMental Health credentials in 2018 from the Center of Credentialing and Education. My focus is to continue to work with my clients through online counseling to help with mood disorders, life adjustments, relationship issues and learning new communication skills. My approach is mainly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) although I also have a client-centered perspective and draw from solution-focused brief therapy when appropriate. CBT deals with what you think about situations in your life because this will cause you to feel a certain way and in turn your actions and reactions will be the result. You may have some automatic thoughts about situations in your life that you are not aware of. Cognitive behavioral therapy will help you to be able to recognize what your automatic thoughts are, measure the validity of those thoughts and remove any irrational thinking that may exist replacing that thinking with more rational thinking.
I am also able to integrate Christian counseling into sessions if my clients prefer a strong biblical perspective. I am a licensed minister with the Assemblies of God since 2007. I look forward to working with you to help you come to a point where you no longer need counseling.
Additional areas of focus: Trauma and abuse, Grief, Intimacy-related issues, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Compassion fatigue, Codependency, Communication problems, Divorce and separation, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Forgiveness, Mood disorders , Panic disorder and panic attacks
Clinical approaches: Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy
FL LMHC MH12666
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Karen Maldonado . 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 is the very best. She is an answer to prayer. I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking someone who genuinely cares to journey with people.
Written on Apr 20, 2023 after therapy with Karen for 3 years on issues concerning trauma and abuse, grief, career difficulties, and coping with life changes
Karen is amazing and such a support to me.
Written on May 05, 2022 after therapy with Karen for 2 years and 1 month on issues concerning relationship issues, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, and anger management
Karen is wonderful ! She helps me each and every time I speak with her!
Written on Sep 13, 2021 after therapy with Karen for 10 months on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, coping with life changes, and compassion fatigue
Karen has been excellent as both an individual counselor to me and a marriage counselor for me and my spouse. She’s probably the 5th or 6th counselor I’ve seen over the course of my life and she’s definitely one of the best. I would highly recommend her!
Written on Jun 29, 2021 after therapy with Karen for 1 year
Karen has been extremely accommodating, helpful, empathetic, and knowledgeable. She has helped me process some pretty big life changes. As a mental health professional myself, I highly recommend her.
Written on May 30, 2021 after therapy with Karen for 2 years and 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, intimacy-related issues, and self esteem
Karen is absolutely amazing! She has helped transform my life. I am so thankful for her and the ways she has helped me become a stronger woman. Thank you, Karen! You’ll be in my heart forever!
Written on Mar 08, 2021 after therapy with Karen for 2 years on issues concerning stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, career difficulties, and coping with life changes