- Attachment-based work
- CBT strategies
- Mindfulness practice
About Karinna
Karinna Johnstone is an AASW social worker with 18 years of experience. She works with adults facing stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, depression, relationship and family concerns, sleeping problems, parenting stresses, anger and career difficulties.
She has worked with people from many backgrounds, including those experiencing disability, homelessness, addiction and complex mental health issues. That experience includes supporting people who have faced multiple forms of trauma and abuse. She also helps with grief, loss and the ups and downs of mood such as depression and bipolar challenges.
Karinna draws on practical talking approaches. She treats clients as the expert on their life and focuses on clear goals. Sessions often cover building motivation, growing confidence and managing reactions like anger and frustration.
Her work uses attachment-based ideas to look at how relationships shape responses. Cognitive and narrative techniques are used to spot unhelpful patterns and try different ways of thinking. Mindfulness exercises are introduced to help slow down strong emotions and improve sleep and focus.
Karinna aims to help people develop skills and supports that fit their life. She explains options and works with the person to pick what makes sense. Starting a conversation is framed as a practical step toward managing current problems and everyday stressors.
How her approaches translate to online sessions
Karinna uses attachment-based work and cognitive behavioural ideas in sessions. Attachment-based work looks at how early and current relationships shape responses such as anger and avoidance. It helps when relationship patterns are linked to repeated conflict or strong reactions. Cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and actions. It teaches practical skills to notice unhelpful thinking, try different responses and reduce anger or anxiety.Finding the right approach is part of the work. Karinna discusses goals and preferences with each person and chooses methods together. This collaboration helps match practical tools to what the client wants to change, whether that is managing outbursts, reducing simmering resentment, improving sleep, or coping with grief.
The biography does not list specific online formats, so confirm current session options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, allow shorter check-ins when time is limited, or avoid travel to appointments. Therapists will also consider how to adapt exercises such as mindfulness practice and cognitive tasks for remote sessions so they work in everyday settings.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
18+ years
Listed in
Australia
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
Which problems does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem, depression, relationship and family concerns, sleeping problems, parenting issues, anger and career matters.
What is her approach in sessions?
She uses attachment-based ideas, client-centred listening, cognitive techniques and mindfulness to address how people respond to stress and anger.
How much experience does she have?
She has 18 years of experience working in social work settings with people facing trauma, addiction, homelessness and complex mental health needs.
What credentials does she hold and where is she based?
She is an AASW social worker based in Australia.
Can I work with her if I live overseas?
Sessions are offered in English and she is not accepting international clients at this time.
What session formats does she offer?
Please confirm current session options before booking; the biography does not list specific formats.
How much do sessions cost?
Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I get started?
Select the See online therapy options button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.