Karen Winberry, LMFT - Therapist in California

About Karen

Karen Winberry is a California licensed marriage and family therapist with more than two decades of experience. She focuses on common and painful concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addiction, parenting struggles, anger, and trauma. Her tone is straightforward and practical, aimed at helping a worried parent understand options and next steps without jargon.

In sessions she listens without judgment and offers clear, constructive feedback. She blends proven methods to match each person's needs rather than using a single fixed approach.

Background and approach

That means therapy can include skill-building for emotion regulation, strategies to shift unhelpful thoughts, and trauma-focused work when needed. Her work draws on client-centered therapy to center the person’s own goals and values. Cognitive behavioral techniques are used to identify and change patterns that keep problems going.

When trauma is present she may incorporate EMDR to address distressing memories. Karen has practiced in California for many years and has experience with a wide range of mental health concerns, including bipolar disorder and serious mental illness. She supports people through life transitions and career pressures as well as relationship and family-related stress.

Her sessions are aimed at helping people build concrete skills to cope with stress and improve day-to-day functioning. She encourages practical steps and collaboration so clients leave with tools they can use between appointments.

Approaches that translate well to online care

Client-centered therapy focuses on your goals and what matters most to you. The therapist listens closely and shapes sessions around your priorities, which helps when life feels overwhelming or when parenting demands take most of your energy.

Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, teaches practical skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It works well for anxiety, depression, and stress by providing steps you can practice between sessions.

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, EMDR, is a trauma-focused method that helps reduce the intensity of painful memories. When appropriate, parts of EMDR work can be adapted to online settings to address trauma symptoms.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will talk with you about your concerns, goals, and preferences, and together you will decide which methods to try and how to pace the work.

Online therapy offers practical benefits like scheduling flexibility and easier access from home or while juggling family responsibilities. Options include video calls for face-to-face work, phone sessions when video isn't possible, and text-based formats such as live chat or messaging for brief check-ins and skill coaching. These choices make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life while using the clinical approaches described above.

Client-Centered Therapy

The direction comes from you rather than from a set programme. The therapist offers a warm, non-judgemental space to think out loud and work at your own pace. Online, this rests on the relationship rather than on being in the same room.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT looks at the link between what you think, how you feel, and what you do. You work on noticing unhelpful patterns and practising steadier responses. It suits online sessions well, because much of the work happens between appointments and can be talked through from anywhere.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

Concrete skills for riding out strong emotion, tolerating distress, and handling relationships without things escalating. The skills are practised in daily life, so between-session support by message or phone fits naturally.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she address?

The practice addresses stress, anxiety, depression, grief, addictions, parenting issues, anger, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, LGBT concerns, self-esteem, career stress, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes.

What is her general therapy style?

She uses a warm, straightforward style that centers the client's goals and offers practical feedback. Sessions focus on skills and steps that clients can use between visits.

How much clinical experience does she have?

She brings 26 years of experience in the mental health field working with a wide range of concerns and diagnostic presentations.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT, holding California license number CA LMFT 35628 and practices in California.

Which languages are supported for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can clients from other countries work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted; services are provided within California.

What session formats are available?

Sessions can be conducted via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to provide different levels of access and flexibility.

How are costs and starting therapy handled?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability and uses a subscription model that can be canceled at any time. To begin, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Stress, Anxiety
Addictions
Relationship issues

Also works with

Anger management
Bipolar disorder
Career difficulties
Coping with life changes
Depression
Family conflicts
Grief
LGBT
Parenting issues
Self esteem
Trauma and abuse

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 26 years
Licensed: California
Languages: English

Next step

Talk to Karen

Takes a few minutes to look through
Nothing to set up just to read
Stop at any point

Explore online therapy options