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LMHC

Karen Gravel, LMHC

  • Experience8 years
  • LocationMassachusetts
  • Focus areasStress and Anxiety, Addictions, and Relationship
  • Therapy approachesInternal Family Systems and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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About Karen

Karen Gravel is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) who centers her work on helping people find practical relief from stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, and relationship struggles while building strategies that fit their life.

Background and approach

She begins by connecting with clients to understand the automatic thoughts and long-held beliefs that shape reactions and relationships, then collaborates to shift patterns that no longer serve them. Her background supports a strengths-based, solution-oriented process that honors each person’s values and goals.

Drawing on eight years of experience across community mental health, crisis settings, and international and military contexts, she has helped clients navigate grief, trauma, parenting challenges, career transitions, bipolar and mood disorders, and social anxiety. Karen integrates evidence-based approaches to tailor work for issues such as attachment difficulties, communication problems, infidelity, midlife transitions, and finding life purpose.

Her style emphasizes partnership, practical tools, and the client’s active role in change so outcomes are meaningful and sustainable.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work

Internal Family Systems (IFS) invites clients to explore internal parts that hold feelings, beliefs, and protections, helping people understand and unblend from reactive patterns; this approach can be useful for trauma, grief, and persistent self-criticism. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviors through structured techniques and practical exercises, often used to address anxiety, depression, and stress. The Gottman Method offers tools for improving communication and managing relationship conflict by teaching concrete skills for partners to rebuild trust and connection.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist works with each client to assess needs, goals, and preferences, and may combine methods to create a tailored plan rather than relying on a single modality. This teamwork helps ensure the therapy style aligns with what the client hopes to accomplish.

Online sessions are offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to make care more flexible and accessible. These formats allow clients to fit therapy into busy schedules, maintain continuity through life changes, and work with licensed professionals from different locations while focusing on practical strategies and personal growth.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does Karen commonly address?
She works with concerns including stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship difficulties, self esteem, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting, anger, career issues, bipolar and coping with life changes, as well as related topics like attachment and communication problems.
How would you describe her therapeutic style?
The approach is collaborative and strengths-based, blending evidence-based methods to change unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns while developing personalized strategies for growth.
What experience does she bring to therapy?
She has eight years of clinical experience, including work in community mental health, crisis services, and international and military-adjacent settings.
What credentials and location are listed?
She holds an MA and is a licensed mental health counselor with license number LMHC10861, practicing from Massachusetts.
Does she offer services in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is available to accept international clients.
Which session formats are available for meetings?
Clients can meet through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to fit different needs and schedules.
How are fees and subscriptions handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What are the steps to begin working together?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Also works with

Trauma and abuseGriefParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changes

Additional focus areas

Attachment issuesCommunication problemsDivorce and separationInfidelityJealousyLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMood disordersSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issues

Therapeutic approaches

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Gottman MethodMotivational InterviewingNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

8+ years

Licensed

Massachusetts

Languages

English