PuttingFamilyFirst

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KS Portrait of Dr. Kari Schlessinger
Online therapist

Dr. Kari Schlessinger

Calm, practical support for everyday parenting stress

Credentials
NY Psychologist 016617
Experience
18 years
Licensed in
New York
Languages
English
Format
Online sessions

About Kari

Dr. Kari Schlessinger is a licensed psychologist in New York with 18 years of clinical experience. She focuses on stress, anxiety, parenting challenges, anger, self-esteem, and depression.

She meets people where they are and treats each person as the expert on their own life. Her style is warm and practical. She listens first, then helps clients set clear, doable goals.

Sessions are collaborative and straightforward. The work includes building coping skills, improving communication, and strengthening motivation.

Background and approach

Dr. Schlessinger uses methods that fit each person’s needs. She draws on Client-Centered Therapy to follow a person’s lead and create a respectful space.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. Motivational Interviewing helps when making changes feels overwhelming. She has worked with issues such as caregiver stress, communication problems, first responder concerns, impulsivity, isolation, and broader mood struggles.

Her approach aims to make daily life more manageable and to build confidence over time. Dr. Schlessinger encourages small steps and practical strategies.

Parents and individuals looking for clear tools and steady support will find a direct, empathetic clinician ready to work alongside them.

Approaches that translate well to online care

Client-Centered Therapy centers on listening and following the person's pace. It helps when someone needs a respectful space to tell their story and be heard without judgment. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thoughts and changing small behaviors. It is useful for anxiety, stress, mood challenges, and practical parenting strategies.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences and decide together which methods to try. That collaborative process helps match tools to the problems the person wants to solve.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to connect. Video calls let conversations feel face-to-face, phone sessions work when screens are inconvenient, and live chat or text-based messaging provide brief, ongoing support between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy schedule and to keep momentum when life gets hectic.

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.

Motivational Interviewing

A way of working through mixed feelings about change without being pushed. The therapist helps you weigh things up and find your own reasons, which often makes a difficult decision feel less stuck.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, parenting matters, anger, self-esteem, and depression. She also focuses on caregiver stress, communication problems, first responder issues, impulsivity, isolation, mood disorders, and self-love.
How would you describe her therapy style?
The approach is warm and practical. Sessions emphasize listening, setting clear goals, and building everyday skills.
What is her professional background?
She has 18 years of professional experience and is licensed as a psychologist in New York.
What are her credentials and location?
She holds the credential NY Psychologist 016617 and practices from New York.
In what languages are sessions offered?
Sessions are offered in English. International clients are not currently accepted.
What session formats are available?
Sessions can be conducted by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging.
How is cost handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button and completing a short matching questionnaire. Then schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Next step

Talk to Kari

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