Karen's passion for kids, their emotional health and educational success led to her career in Educational Therapy. A midwest native from Michigan, Karen studied Psychology at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She initially began her work career as a crisis intervention counselor working with runaway and homeless teens and their families. 

After extensive travel in India, Nepal, and Thailand, Karen relocated to the Bay Area. She earned her Master's Degree in Education and Educational Therapy Certificate from Holy Names University in 2004. Since then, she has worked in private practice and as a school based learning specialist. 

Outside of work, Karen enjoys spending time with her daughter and husband. They enjoy cooking, gardening, and spending as much time in the outdoors hiking, backpacking, kayaking and skiing. 

My Philosophy:
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The relationship that ​​I develop with each student is instrumental to his or her learning process.  I value each child’s interests, passions, strengths and challenges.  Children who are struggling in school are often only defined by those struggles.  My goal is to understand the complicated facets that make up each student.  I offer students the space, support, and security to discover their learning potential. 
 
In my practice, I create individualized programs that target a student’s needs. I identify specific goals designed to build their skills, increase their academic performance, and enhance their own understanding of how they learn.  I work to foster and instill each child’s sense of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and self-empowerment.  I also am an advocate for my students.  Collaborating with parents, teachers, and allied professionals is essential in order to be an effective team.  Coordinated services are critical in order to provide continuity for students in their various learning environments.   
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My students inspire me.  I am motivated by the diligence and resiliency they display as they persevere to reach their goals.  The transformation that takes place as my students learn to work with their strengths, discover their potential, and celebrate their accomplishments is empowering both to them and to my work as an Educational Therapist.