Karen Joaquin

Do you understand where some of your behaviors come from but are still at a loss to change them? Have you hit a wall with the tools already at your disposal, and need some support to reach the next level of your development? As a therapist, I love working with motivated and insightful adults and teens (men, women and non-binary), who want to better understand how their past impacts them and are ready for meaningful change in their lives. If you are ready to reclaim authority in your life and dive into the work of transformation, I'm your therapist. There are times in life where we need someone to just listen with empathy only, and while that is a part of what I do, in order to receive the most from therapy, you must be ready to be pushed towards the version of yourself you want to be. Want to learn about mind-body connections? There are ways to work with the nervous system to improve mood regulation. By listening to the signals our bodies send, we can learn to work with our bodies instead of against. Are you a people-pleaser who want to break down unhelpful patterns of overthinking, build self-esteem and be able to say "no"? For many who grew up with chaotic family dynamics, it can be natural to recreate these familiar patterns in adult relationships, but with analysis and support change is possible. We have a choice about what we allow into our lives and a right to have boundaries about how we are treated by those who love us, even if they have traumatic experiences too. I enjoy working with diverse clients and have worked with anxiety, depression, complex-trauma, family of origin issues, addiction issues, grief and loss, interpersonal conflict, and career/life transitions. Although there are a lot of effective strategies, therapy isn't one size fits all. My approach is tailored to each individual: I use CBT, DBT, EMDR, attachment-based interventions and Internal Family Systems. Because I love it and it is a part of my personal journey, I also teach about the mind-body connection and ways to work with the nervous system to improve mood regulation. By listening to the signals our bodies send, we can learn to work with our bodies instead of against. I obtained my Marriage and Family Therapist license in 2014. I cut my teeth as an intern working with teens and adults, many referred from the the justice system or from Child Protective Services. I then moved to county mental health to support those who have serious mental health conditions. During this time, I noticed that many clients were not getting the support they needed and I was determined to do what I could to help. I have taken thousands of hours of additional training in a broad range of topics including: emotional regulation, trauma work, challenges with anxiety & depression, and family of origin. Another area of focus in my studies, has been the experiences of those in the LGBTQIA+ community, and I enjoy supporting those in or considering transitioning. I am currently nearing completion of my Doctorate in Psychology, and I am also a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Level 2 (CCTP-II). On the personal side, I have lived in Tahoe since 2011, have 3 dogs, and I'm a total brain nerd. I read a lot of fiction novels and bake all the goodies in my spare time. In the summer, I like to paddle board, swim and garden. If you are a seeking a therapist who will support you in focusing on the tough stuff, let's chat! I'm ready to help you get out of the woods.