Karen Kaufman

My name is Karen Anne Kaufman, and I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist based in the SF East Bay Area, California, and working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly using Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Solution-Focused Therapy to support clients to feel better in their lives.

My approach

My integrated and strength-based approach to therapy is eclectic and uniquely tailored to the client’s needs. I pull from a variety of treatment modalities including Person-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy. My personal style and approach are respectful and sensitive, making the therapeutic process appropriate for clients in different stages of life.

My focus

I work with a diversity of clients throughout the lifespan including those experiencing grief, anxiety, stress, depression, life transitions, chronic pain, issues related to women’s wellness, and in the LGBTQ+ community.

My communication style

My communication style is personable, flexible, and authentic. I am open-minded and able to be emotionally present without judgment allowing clients to feel comfortable and understood.

My journey to mental healthcare

I have always found meaning in connecting with people to help them. Through my previous experiences working with developmentally disabled children and adults as well as children and families in the child welfare and juvenile dependency systems, I was drawn to therapeutic and clinical work. I believe that our journey through life offers us many opportunities for change and growth, as well as transitions that may be emotionally and psychologically challenging. It is through a trusting and thoughtful connection in therapy that support, healing, strength, and solutions can be found.

My goals for you

My approach to goal setting is to first and foremost develop a collaborative stance in working together as a team. Initially, it is important to establish rapport and build trust between us. We will explore what you want to accomplish in therapy as well as the most useful methods to accomplish this together. As a team, we will strive to increase your comfort level while understanding what you would like to see happen through the therapeutic process. We will define some initial treatment goals and, over the course of our time together, remain open-minded and flexible about ways to adapt and progress toward your goals.

My first session with you

What you can expect from our first session is for us to begin to develop trust and rapport while assessing your needs. This includes gathering relevant information about your life as well as listening to how you have been feeling and what has led you to therapy. Therapy is a uniquely individual process. It is important for you to feel heard, seen, and understood while I develop an initial sense of next steps in our work together.