Karina Fernandez, LCSW - Therapist in Tennessee

About Karina

Karina Fernandez is a licensed clinical social worker with 16 years of experience in mental health. She earned a Master of Social Work and has worked across settings that address depression, anxiety, PTSD, and complex grief. She speaks both English and Spanish and practices in Tennessee.

Karina focuses on clear, practical support. She listens first and helps people set small, usable goals. Sessions aim to identify strengths, build coping skills, and reduce distress in day-to-day life.

Background and approach

Her work often includes trauma-related care and support after violent events, as well as help for people facing addiction, compassion fatigue, and major life changes. She also addresses family and relationship stress, parenting concerns, sleep problems, and low self-esteem. Karina uses several proven approaches to match what each person needs.

These include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, mindfulness practices, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing. She blends client-centered care with those methods so each plan fits the person in front of her. People can expect straightforward language and a focus on practical steps in sessions.

The aim is to uncover personal strengths and build skills that help in everyday situations. Getting started involves a short questionnaire and scheduling to find a time that works.

Approaches and flexibility for online care

Karina commonly uses cognitive behavioral therapy and EMDR in her online practice. Cognitive behavioral therapy helps people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which can reduce anxiety, depression, and sleep problems. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing is a trauma-focused method that can ease distress linked to traumatic memories and complex grief.

She frames treatment as a collaborative process. Together with each person she reviews concerns, goals, and preferences to decide which approach or combination will fit best. That shared planning helps tailor sessions to practical needs rather than using one fixed method.

Online therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care more flexible. These options let people fit sessions around work, caregiving, or mobility limits. They also allow follow-up and skill-building between meetings so progress can continue outside scheduled sessions.

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 this therapist help with?

Karina addresses stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression, addictions, self-esteem, relationship and family issues, parenting, sleep problems, and coping with life changes. She also works with compassion fatigue and related focus areas such as caregiver stress, blended family challenges, and codependency.

What is her therapeutic style like?

She uses a direct, practical approach that emphasizes listening and small, achievable goals. Sessions typically focus on identifying strengths, building skills, and creating steps people can use between meetings.

How much experience does she have?

She has 16 years of experience working in mental health settings with conditions like depression, anxiety, PTSD, and complex grief, including work with survivors of violent crime.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She holds the LCSW credential - Licensed Clinical Social Worker - with Tennessee license number TN LCSW 6768, and she practices in Tennessee.

Which languages are offered for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.

What session formats are available?

Sessions are available by video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to allow different ways to connect.

How is cost handled for therapy?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.

How do I begin working with Karina?

Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

Specialties and expertise

Top specialties

Also works with

Therapeutic approaches

Experience: 16 years
Licensed: Tennessee
Languages: English, Spanish

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