Karen Sharkey

My communication style

My style is warm and direct, and I think humor is very important. You don’t need to edit yourself in session—swear, be awkward, be intense, or share the parts of you that don’t fit neatly into a box. I want you to feel comfortable being fully yourself so we can focus less on how you “should” sound and more on what’s actually going on.

My journey to mental healthcare

My path to becoming a therapist wasn’t especially traditional, and that’s part of what drew me to this work. I’ve seen how complicated life can be and how much people can carry beneath the surface. I wanted to turn that perspective into something useful—helping people understand themselves, navigate hard things, and move forward.

My goals for you

Goal setting is collaborative. I’ll ask what you want to be different, reflect back what I’m hearing, and offer ideas when helpful. Goals don’t have to be perfectly defined from the start—they can shift as we learn more about what you need, what’s working, and where you want therapy to take you.

Our first session

Talking to a stranger on a screen about your life can feel strange, vulnerable, or even scary. I respect that. We may not figure out everything you need in under an hour, and we don’t have to. The first session is about starting to understand what’s going on and, hopefully, helping you feel like you can breathe a little easier.

I identify as...

• Female
• Biracial or Multiracial