Karin Gardner, LICSW, LCSW

New York | Online sessions in New York, Vermont | English | Book with Karin »

Narrative-minded LICSW focusing on life changes

Details

Name	Karin Gardner
Credentials	LICSW, LCSW
Based in	New York
Licensed in	New York, Vermont
Session format	Online
Languages	English
Years in practice	7

About Karin

Karin Gardner is a licensed social worker based in New York who uses Narrative approaches alongside person-centered care. She holds LICSW and LCSW credentials and brings seven years of clinical experience to conversations about stress, anxiety, grief, depression, and relationship concerns. Karin frames therapy around a client's life story and current goals.

She focuses on practical steps people can take to feel steadier and more able to cope. Her work often centers on coping with life changes, family conflict, parenting stress, and chronic health challenges.

Background and approach

She also supports people dealing with trauma and abuse, anger, sleep problems, low self-esteem, and career strain. Karin pays attention to how past experiences and attachment patterns shape present struggles. In sessions she aims for a straightforward, collaborative tone.

She listens for the meanings a person gives to events and looks for places where new, more useful storylines can grow. Techniques may include skills from cognitive behavioral work and acceptance-based strategies that emphasize values and action. Karin describes her practice as humanistic and client-centered.

That means she focuses on each person's strengths and choices rather than assuming a single path forward. She works with people to set goals that matter to them and to test small changes between sessions. People meet with her by video, phone, live chat, or text messaging.

Sessions are offered in English. The practice uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time, and costs vary depending on location and therapist arrangements.

What this therapist works with

Her listing names Stress, Anxiety, Relationship issues, Trauma and abuse among the things Karin works with, alongside the areas below.

Stress, Anxiety
Relationship issues
Trauma and abuse
Depression
Coping with life changes
Family conflicts
Grief
Sleeping disorders
Parenting issues
Anger management
Self esteem
Career difficulties
Bipolar disorder
Compassion fatigue
ADHD
Abandonment
Aging and geriatric issues
Attachment issues
Body image
Cancer
Caregiver issues and stress
Chronic pain, illness, and disability
Communication problems
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD)
Dissociation
Divorce and separation
Domestic violence
Emptiness
Family of origin issues
Family problems
First responder issues
Guilt and shame
Hospice and end-of-life counseling
Isolation / loneliness
Life purpose
Midlife crisis
Mood disorders
Panic disorder and panic attacks
Post-traumatic stress
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Self-love
Social anxiety and phobia
Women's issues
Workplace issues

Approaches listed

Narrative Therapy: Named in her listing among her approaches.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Attachment-Based Therapy: Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Client-Centered Therapy: Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT): Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Mindfulness Therapy: Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Motivational Interviewing: Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Solution-Focused Therapy: Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Somatic Therapy: Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Trauma-Focused Therapy: Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Internal Family Systems: Listed by Karin among the ways she works.
Training stated: This directory copies the approaches a therapist names and does not check training records. Ask Karin directly how much of the work is narrative and what a session usually looks like.

Narrative Therapy in this listing

Narrative Therapy appears in this therapist's own list of approaches. That tells you it is part of how she works. It does not tell you how much of a session it shapes, and this directory does not check or rate training.

If a narrative approach is what you are looking for, it is worth asking Karin directly how she uses it and what a session usually looks like.

Online session options

How Narrative and ACT translate to online therapy

Many clients find Narrative work useful for naming stories that shape everyday feelings and choices. Narrative Therapy helps people separate themselves from a problem and notice alternate storylines, which can be useful for issues like relationship strain, grief, or low self-esteem. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches simple skills for noticing thoughts and staying connected to personal values and actions, often helping with anxiety, stress, and life changes. Attachment-Based ideas guide attention to patterns in close relationships and help people recognize how early connections influence current behavior and emotions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. The therapist will work collaboratively to identify which methods fit a person's goals and preferences. Sessions often mix narrative work with acceptance-based or cognitive strategies so clients can practice new ways of thinking and acting between meetings.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a shorter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging make it possible to check in more flexibly during a busy week. These options offer practical flexibility so therapy can fit work, caregiving, or health constraints while supporting steady progress.

Common questions about this listing

What kinds of concerns can I bring to therapy?

Karin works with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, parenting and family conflict, sleep problems, and career strain among other concerns listed in her profile.

How would you describe her therapy style?

She blends Narrative thinking with person-centered, humanistic care and draws on approaches like CBT and acceptance-based strategies to help people reframe problems and take small, practical steps.

What experience does she bring?

She has seven years of professional experience working with a range of emotional and life challenges and applies that background to collaborative, goal-focused work.

Where is the therapist licensed and located?

She is licensed in New York as an LCSW and holds a Vermont LICSW, and her practice is listed as located in New York.

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English only.

What session formats are available?

People can meet with her via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist arrangements; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

What are the steps to begin working together?

To get started, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Contacting this therapist

Sessions with Karin are arranged through our partner platform. It asks a few questions about what you are looking for, then shows you the therapists available to you, including Karin where she has space. Ask about fees, and whether she holds a licence or registration where you live.

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