Therapist
Karen Santos
PACFA
Experienced psychotherapist and social worker
Continue with Karen
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Step 1
- Trauma-informed care
- Practical coping steps
- Speaks Tagalog
About Karen
Karen Santos is a PACFA-credentialed psychotherapist and social worker with 12 years' experience. She supports adults, adolescents and children through stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, parenting challenges and big life changes. Karen speaks English and Tagalog and practices in Australia.
Her background includes community mental health case management and years delivering trauma-informed and mental health counselling. That work shaped a practical approach to difficult moments, from grief and depression to chronic illness and caregiving stress. She blends clinical knowledge with everyday problem solving.
Karen uses a mix of therapeutic approaches to match what each person needs. Her work draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, along with narrative ideas and client-centred listening. She describes therapy as a partnership where goals are set together.
In sessions she focuses on clear, manageable steps and on understanding how past experiences affect current behaviour and relationships. She also has training in neurobiology of trauma and developmentally informed methods, and experience with play-based work for younger people. Her approach includes addressing attachment issues, abandonment and adoption-related concerns when they are relevant.
People often come to Karen for help with self-esteem, body image, eating-related issues, dissociation, domestic violence recovery, or coping after disaster. She also supports those dealing with chronic pain, illness and disability, communication or control problems, and codependency.
Karen aims to create a respectful, curious space where people feel heard and can practise new ways of coping. To begin, clients complete an initial matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to availability.
Her background includes community mental health case management and years delivering trauma-informed and mental health counselling. That work shaped a practical approach to difficult moments, from grief and depression to chronic illness and caregiving stress. She blends clinical knowledge with everyday problem solving.
Karen uses a mix of therapeutic approaches to match what each person needs. Her work draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Emotionally-Focused Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, along with narrative ideas and client-centred listening. She describes therapy as a partnership where goals are set together.
In sessions she focuses on clear, manageable steps and on understanding how past experiences affect current behaviour and relationships. She also has training in neurobiology of trauma and developmentally informed methods, and experience with play-based work for younger people. Her approach includes addressing attachment issues, abandonment and adoption-related concerns when they are relevant.
People often come to Karen for help with self-esteem, body image, eating-related issues, dissociation, domestic violence recovery, or coping after disaster. She also supports those dealing with chronic pain, illness and disability, communication or control problems, and codependency.
Karen aims to create a respectful, curious space where people feel heard and can practise new ways of coping. To begin, clients complete an initial matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to availability.
Step 2
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Parenting issuesCoping with life changes
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesBody imageCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDissociationDomestic violenceEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFertility issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImmigration issuesImpulsivityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersMulticultural concernsPost-traumatic stressPrejudice and discriminationProcess addiction (porn, exercise, gambling)Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseWomen's issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT)Narrative TherapySomatic TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems
Experience
12+ years
Credentials
Australia
Languages
English, Tagalog
Step 3
How therapeutic approaches guide online work
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, then commit to actions that match their values. This approach can help with anxiety, depression and life adjustments by building consistent habits that reflect what matters most. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviour and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, low mood and stress by breaking problems into manageable steps. Client-Centred Therapy places the person's experience at the heart of the work and relies on empathetic listening and validation to help people feel understood and to find their own solutions.Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the first conversations. The therapist will work collaboratively to understand goals, preferences and what has or hasn't helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adapt them as progress is made.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the session options available before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit sessions into busy days and reduce travel time. It can also allow for shorter check-ins when a full session isn't needed, or reduce the need to be on camera if a phone-style conversation is preferred. Appropriately qualified therapists aim to use these formats to maintain therapeutic focus while fitting care into everyday routines.
Step 4
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Karen commonly address?
She works with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, depression and self-esteem. Parenting challenges and coping with life changes are also common areas she helps people with.
What is her therapeutic style like?
Her style is collaborative and practical, focusing on clear steps and gentle exploration. Sessions combine listening with techniques drawn from different approaches to suit the person's needs.
How much clinical experience does she have?
She has 12 years of professional experience, including roles in community mental health and trauma-informed counselling.
What credentials and location are listed?
She is PACFA credentialled and practices in Australia.
Which languages can sessions be held in?
Sessions are offered in English and Tagalog.
Can people outside Australia work with her?
International clients are not accepted at this time.
How are fees and billing handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions are provided through a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin a course of therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, completing a short matching questionnaire, and then scheduling according to the therapist's availability.
Step 5