Karen Pekarcik, LCSW

Karen Pekarcik is a licensed clinical social worker in California with nine years of practice. She helps people coping with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, trauma, and relationship or parenting concerns. Karen aims to make the first steps toward change feel manageable and clear.

Her approach is direct and practical. She uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help identify unhelpful thoughts and try new behaviors. She also draws on attachment-based ideas to understand relationship patterns and client-centered techniques to keep the conversation focused on each person's goals.

Sessions are a place to talk through what’s causing strain and to practice new ways of responding. Karen works with people on issues like self-esteem, motivation, anger, intimacy-related concerns, career stress, and caregiver burnout. She also supports those navigating life changes such as divorce, adoption and foster care challenges, chronic illness, or aging-related stress.

Therapy can include skills practice, gentle reflection on past patterns, and hands-on strategies for day-to-day coping. Mindfulness and DBT-informed tools may be used when emotion regulation or distress tolerance is needed. The tone is collaborative rather than prescriptive.

People who choose to work with Karen can expect steady, focused sessions that aim for practical results. She concentrates on what matters most to each person and helps them build plans that fit real life. Her goal is to support growth, not rush it.

Approaches that translate well to online therapy

Karen often uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors, which works well in short exercises and weekly practice. Attachment-Based Therapy is also part of her work, helping clients understand relationship patterns and how early bonds influence current connections.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Karen treats therapy as a team effort and will help clients choose or blend methods based on their goals, comfort level, and what feels most helpful in early sessions.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. Video calls allow for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text messaging suit quick check-ins, journaling between sessions, or people who prefer typing. These options make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life and to keep momentum between meetings.