Karin Gardner, LICSW, LCSW - Therapist in New York

Person-centered approach
Sleep and rest focus
Evidence-informed methods

About Karin

Karin Gardner is a licensed social worker practicing in New York. She brings a person-centered approach and practical therapy methods to help people navigate stress, anxiety, grief, relationship troubles, and sleep concerns. Karin emphasizes collaboration and draws on several therapeutic tools to support everyday coping and emotional balance.

She works from the view that people already have strengths they can build on. In sessions she listens without judgment and helps clients identify small, doable steps toward change. Her style blends warmth and structure so clients can try new ways of managing hard feelings and difficult situations.

Karin uses techniques from cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy to address unhelpful thoughts and increase flexibility in how people respond to distress. She also incorporates attachment-based ideas to look at patterns in close relationships and how those patterns affect current struggles. Dialectical behavior therapy skills are used when people need tools for strong emotions or problems that feel overwhelming.

Her background includes work supporting people through chronic illness, caregiving stress, family conflict, and major life transitions. She has experience with trauma, depression, bipolar concerns, ADHD, and compassion fatigue among other issues listed in her practice focus.

Karin holds LICSW (Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker) and LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) credentials and has seven years of professional experience. She aims to help people find clearer direction, better sleep routines, and more dependable ways to cope with life’s demands.

How Karin’s Approaches Translate to Online Work

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helpful action rather than battling every unwanted thought. It teaches acceptance of difficult feelings and choosing values-based steps, which can help with anxiety, sleep disruption, and stress. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behavior and offers practical exercises to change patterns that keep problems going, often useful for insomnia, low mood, and worry. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationship patterns influence current connections and coping, helping people recognize and shift repeating patterns in close relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Karin works together with each person to see which methods fit their goals and daily life. That means she will suggest strategies, try things out, and adjust plans based on what helps most for sleep, emotion regulation, or relationship patterns.

Confirm the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy schedule, reduce travel time, and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals can still use structured CBT exercises, ACT practices, and attachment-focused conversations effectively in virtual sessions, while tailoring timing and tools to match each person's routine.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesTrauma and abuse Depression Coping with life changes

Also works with

Family conflictsGriefSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementSelf esteemCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stress Chronic pain, illness, and disabilityCommunication problemsDisruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)DissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFirst responder issuesGuilt and shameHospice and end-of-life counselingIsolation / loneliness Life purpose Midlife crisisMood disordersPanic disorder and panic attacksPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

7+ years

Credentials

New York, Vermont

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Karin help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, sleep problems, parenting and caregiving stress, and many related concerns listed in her practice focus.

How would you describe her therapy style?

Her work is person-centered and humanistic with practical tools added in. She collaborates with clients and uses clear steps to address thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

What background and experience does she have?

Karin has seven years of professional experience supporting people through chronic illness, family conflict, trauma, life changes, and emotional regulation concerns.

Where is Karin licensed and based?

She holds VT LICSW and NY LCSW credentials and practices in New York.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and she does not accept international clients at this time.

What session formats are available?

Please confirm current session formats before booking so you know whether online or other options are offered for your needs.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Karin?

Select the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.