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LCSW

Karen Shaughness, LCSW

  • Experience38 years
  • LocationNew York
  • Focus areasADHD, Stress and Anxiety, and Addictions
  • Therapy approachesClient-Centered Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
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About Karen

Karen Shaughness is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with 38 years of practice based in New York. She brings a client-centered style that emphasizes warmth, collaboration, and practical strategies tailored to each person's situation.

Background and approach

Her work integrates cognitive behavioral techniques and mindfulness to help clients manage symptoms and build skills for everyday life. Her caseload has included a wide range of concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy issues, sleep difficulties, parenting and career stress, bipolar mood concerns, compassion fatigue, and ADHD.

She also addresses related areas like codependency, communication problems, OCD and panic, social anxiety, seasonal mood changes, and workplace or family problems. Karen's background includes hospital-based practice, which contributes to her experience with diverse presenting problems and complex life circumstances.

Outside of clinical work she values time outdoors and finds calm near water; she enjoys kayaking, gardening, concerts, films, and hiking with her Golden Retriever. Her practice offers multiple ways to connect, and scheduling reflects her commitment to timely responses and a supportive therapeutic partnership.

Approaches That Translate Well to Online Care

Client-centered therapy emphasizes building an empathetic, nonjudgmental relationship and places the client's concerns and goals at the center of the work; it helps people feel heard and guides personalized treatment planning. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to distress and teaching practical skills to modify those patterns, which can be helpful for anxiety, depression, ADHD-related challenges, and stress management. Mindfulness Therapy cultivates present-moment awareness and stress-reduction techniques that support emotion regulation and improved focus.

Deciding on the right approach is often part of the early sessions. The therapist collaborates with each person to assess needs, preferences, and goals, and then adapts methods over time so the work remains relevant and effective. That collaborative process helps tailor which combination of client-centered, CBT, or mindfulness tools will be most useful.

Online therapy offers flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging, making it easier to fit consistent care into busy schedules. These formats allow clients to access licensed professionals from home or other locations, maintain continuity when life circumstances change, and use different communication methods for skills practice, between-session check-ins, or full therapy sessions.

Frequently asked questions

What concerns does she commonly address?
She works with a broad range of issues including stress, anxiety, depression, addictions, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and intimacy concerns, sleep problems, parenting and career stress, bipolar mood concerns, and ADHD.
What is her therapeutic style like?
The approach is client-centered and collaborative, combining cognitive behavioral strategies and mindfulness practices to help clients develop practical coping skills and increase self-awareness.
How much experience does she have?
Karen has 38 years of clinical experience, including work in a hospital setting that has exposed her to diverse and complex presentations.
Where is she based and what are her credentials?
She is a licensed clinical social worker practicing in New York with the credential NY LCSW 071776.
Does she provide services in other languages or to international clients?
Sessions are offered in English, and she is not currently accepting international clients.
What session formats are offered?
Clients can meet via video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging depending on preference and therapist availability.
How is cost handled for sessions?
Fees vary with location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription model that can be canceled at any time.
What steps are involved to begin working together?
To start, select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule sessions according to therapist availability.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Also works with

Family conflictsTrauma and abuseGriefIntimacy-related issuesSleeping disordersParenting issuesCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

CodependencyCommunication problemsCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDivorce and separationDrug and alcohol addictionFamily problemsFirst responder issuesIsolation / lonelinessMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Social anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Client-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational Interviewing

Experience

38+ years

Licensed

New York

Languages

English

What Karen can help with

Karen Shaughness works with clients on stress and anxiety, addictions, relationship issues, self esteem, and depression.

Karen works with clients who have experienced anxiety, relationship issues, stress, and depression.

How Karen approaches therapy

Karen's clinical approaches include Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing.

Experience and training

Karen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker practicing in New York.