Karen Kelly, LCSW
Alaska LCSW specializing in trauma and addiction
- Trauma and PTSD
- Addiction recovery support
- Stress and anxiety relief
About Karen Kelly
Karen Kelly is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in Alaska with 13 years of experience supporting people through complex emotional challenges. She works with individuals facing depression, anxiety, trauma, and substance use, and has particular experience with active duty military, veterans, and first responders. Her background as a former law enforcement officer and 911 dispatcher gives her a practical perspective on the stresses faced by emergency personnel and those in high-demand careers.
Karen uses a compassionate, individualized approach that blends evidence-based methods to meet each person where they are. She helps people explore difficult emotions such as guilt, shame, and responsibility while developing practical coping strategies for mood disorders, relationship transitions, and stressful life changes. Her work often focuses on building resilience, improving communication, and supporting recovery from post-traumatic stress and addiction.
As an LCSW - a licensed clinical social worker - she combines clinical training with real-world experience to guide clients through grief, intimacy and relationship concerns, career stress, and challenges like isolation or seasonal mood shifts. Karen provides services in English and French and aims to create a supportive space for growth, whether addressing anger and self-esteem or navigating major life transitions.
Karen uses a compassionate, individualized approach that blends evidence-based methods to meet each person where they are. She helps people explore difficult emotions such as guilt, shame, and responsibility while developing practical coping strategies for mood disorders, relationship transitions, and stressful life changes. Her work often focuses on building resilience, improving communication, and supporting recovery from post-traumatic stress and addiction.
As an LCSW - a licensed clinical social worker - she combines clinical training with real-world experience to guide clients through grief, intimacy and relationship concerns, career stress, and challenges like isolation or seasonal mood shifts. Karen provides services in English and French and aims to create a supportive space for growth, whether addressing anger and self-esteem or navigating major life transitions.
Areas of Expertise
Primary Focus
Also Specializes In
Relationship issuesGriefIntimacy-related issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional Focus Areas
CodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameIsolation / lonelinessVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWorkplace issues
Therapeutic Approach
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Client-Centered Therapy Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Mindfulness Therapy Motivational Interviewing Narrative Therapy Psychodynamic Therapy Solution-Focused Therapy Trauma-Focused Therapy
Frequently Asked Questions
How much experience does Karen Kelly have?
Karen Kelly has 13 years of experience.
Is Karen Kelly a licensed therapist?
Yes. She holds the credential LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker. License details are AK LCSW 109450.
In which languages does Karen Kelly provide therapy?
She provides therapy in English and French.
Where is Karen Kelly located?
She is located in Alaska.
How can I work with Karen Kelly as my therapist?
You can work with Karen Kelly through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
Does Karen Kelly work with international clients?
Karen Kelly does not currently work with international clients.
How much does therapy with Karen Kelly cost?
The cost of therapy can vary depending on factors such as your location and the therapist's availability. Sessions are billed through a subscription that can be canceled at any time, for any reason. For current details, click the "Start Therapy" button on this page.
How can I get started with therapy?
Getting started with therapy is quick and straightforward. Click the "Start Therapy" button and complete a short questionnaire that helps match you with your therapist. Depending on availability, you can then schedule your first session, which may take place by phone, video call, live chat, or in-app messaging.
Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care Tailored to You
Karen draws from evidence-based approaches to guide online work in ways that fit each person’s needs. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT helps people clarify personal values and build willingness to experience difficult thoughts and feelings in service of meaningful action; it can be useful for anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and developing practical skills to change behaviors and mood, which is often applied to anxiety, depression, and stress-related concerns. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing - EMDR is a trauma-focused method that supports processing of distressing memories and can be appropriate for post-traumatic stress and other trauma responses.Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Karen collaborates with each person to determine which methods align with their goals, preferences, and the challenges they bring, adjusting the plan as work progresses.
Online therapy with Karen is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide flexibility around work schedules, geographic constraints, and daily responsibilities. These options make it easier to access regular support, maintain continuity of care, and fit therapy into a busy life while working with licensed professionals and therapists who understand complex stressors.