- CBT techniques
- DBT skills
- Mindfulness tools
About Karen
Karen Pelligra is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York with 22 years of clinical experience. She works with adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, grief, relationship problems, anger, depression, addictions, and the effects of trauma and abuse. Karen takes a straightforward approach and offers practical help for everyday challenges.
Across many settings - outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and home-based family services - she has supported people through life changes like divorce, empty nest, and parenting strain. She also helps those coping with chronic illness, adoption and foster care concerns, first responder issues, and mood disorders such as bipolar disorder and seasonal affective disorder.
Her clinical work uses approachable methods including client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness practices, and motivational interviewing. Sessions focus on concrete skills for managing strong emotions, changing unhelpful thinking patterns, and improving communication.
Karen emphasizes collaboration. She checks in about immediate needs, sets practical goals, and adjusts strategies as situations change. Common steps include identifying triggers, learning coping techniques, and practicing new responses in day-to-day life.
People who come for help often want clearer ways to handle anger, reduce anxiety, or get through a major life shift. Karen works to make steps feel manageable so people can try them between sessions and notice what helps.
She conducts sessions in English and practices from New York. To begin, prospective clients follow the site's matching process and schedule an initial appointment.
How therapeutic approaches are used in online sessions
The therapist often draws on cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavior therapy in session. CBT focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce anger, anxiety, and depressive patterns. DBT emphasizes practical skills such as emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness for managing intense feelings and improving relationships.Finding the right approach is collaborative. Karen will talk with each person about what feels most useful, try methods, and adjust based on the client's goals and experience. The process is about testing strategies and keeping what helps while changing what does not.
Session logistics should be confirmed before booking since formats were not specified in the biography. Online therapy can make it easier to fit work on coping skills into a busy week, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and remove travel time so sessions are more convenient. Ask about the specific session options offered when you schedule so arrangements match your needs and daily routine.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
22+ years
Listed in
New York
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What kinds of problems does she help with?
Karen works with stress, anxiety, relationship strain, grief, anger, depression, addictions, trauma, and related issues such as parenting strain and chronic illness.
What is her therapy style like?
She uses practical, collaborative methods with a focus on skill building and real-life solutions. Sessions often include learning techniques and practicing them between meetings.
How much experience does she have?
She has 22 years of counseling experience in outpatient clinics, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and home-based family services.
What credential does she hold and where does she practice?
She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) licensed in New York and practices from that state.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
International clients are not accepted at this time.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a first session?
Use the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule your initial session.