- Addictions and recovery
- Depression and grief
- Relationship concerns
About Karena
Karena Franses is a licensed clinical social worker with 28 years of experience in community and private settings. She draws on long experience supporting people through addiction, grief, depression, anxiety, and relationship concerns. Her approach is warm and steady, and she aims to help people find relief from persistent pain.
Karena spent many years at a county hospital and worked for over two decades as a social work supervisor in an outpatient HIV clinic. That work exposed her to severe addiction, trauma, depression, and the effects of poverty, homelessness, racism, and homophobia. She later maintained a private psychotherapy practice focused on relationship struggles, body image, and other long-standing emotional issues.
A practicing Buddhist who meditates daily, she brings humility and compassion into sessions. She believes people already hold the answers to their suffering and that therapy helps clear the clouds that hide those answers. Sessions often focus on noticing patterns, understanding how past experiences shape current feelings, and finding practical steps forward.
Karena uses Motivational Interviewing when people need support making changes and psychodynamic ideas when looking at long-term patterns and relationships. She aims to match the pace and focus to each person's needs and goals. Her work is grounded in decades of direct care in clinical and community settings.
People who turn to her often want steady, experienced guidance for life changes, addiction recovery, grief, or persistent low mood. She offers sessions in English and accepts international clients, with logistics arranged through the site's booking process.
Karena spent many years at a county hospital and worked for over two decades as a social work supervisor in an outpatient HIV clinic. That work exposed her to severe addiction, trauma, depression, and the effects of poverty, homelessness, racism, and homophobia. She later maintained a private psychotherapy practice focused on relationship struggles, body image, and other long-standing emotional issues.
A practicing Buddhist who meditates daily, she brings humility and compassion into sessions. She believes people already hold the answers to their suffering and that therapy helps clear the clouds that hide those answers. Sessions often focus on noticing patterns, understanding how past experiences shape current feelings, and finding practical steps forward.
Karena uses Motivational Interviewing when people need support making changes and psychodynamic ideas when looking at long-term patterns and relationships. She aims to match the pace and focus to each person's needs and goals. Her work is grounded in decades of direct care in clinical and community settings.
People who turn to her often want steady, experienced guidance for life changes, addiction recovery, grief, or persistent low mood. She offers sessions in English and accepts international clients, with logistics arranged through the site's booking process.
This summary is based on the profile information listed on BetterHelp.