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Meet Karen Joaquin, M.A., Psy. D., LMFT (she/her)
Meet Karen Joaquin, M.A., Psy. D., LMFT (she/her)
Psychotherapist | IFS Level 1 Trained | Certified Trauma Treatment Professional
Psychotherapist | IFS Level 1 Trained | Certified Trauma Treatment Professional
Hi, I'm Karen! I work with adults who are navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, life transitions, and the lasting effects of difficult family dynamics. I especially love supporting clients who feel like they’ve done some work, but are still feeling stuck. Whether you’re managing chronic stress, exploring your identity, healing from complex trauma, or just trying to make sense of the overwhelm, you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Therapy with me isn’t one-size-fits-all. I tailor my approach to meet you where you are, drawing from evidence-based practices like Internal Family Systems (IFS), EMDR, DBT, and attachment-based work. I also bring in somatic strategies to help you reconnect with your body, regulate your nervous system, and feel more at ease in your own skin.
Clients often tell me they appreciate that I’m real, compassionate, and willing to go deep. I’m not here to “fix” you—I'm here to walk alongside you as you begin to better understand your patterns, build your confidence, and move toward lasting change.
I’ve been a licensed therapist in California since 2014. My early career included working with teens and adults involved in the justice system and Child Protective Services, as well as supporting those with severe mental health conditions in county mental health. Over time, I saw firsthand how gaps in care left people behind and I became committed to providing the kind of support that meets people with both skill and heart.
I’ve completed thousands of hours of additional training in areas including emotional regulation, body image, chronic pain/illness, trauma, and family-of-origin healing. I’m LGBTQIA+ affirming and have a particular passion for working with those who are exploring gender identity or transitioning. I have also just completed my Doctorate in Psychology from California Southern University.
Outside of therapy, I’ve called Tahoe home since 2011. I spend my free time with my three dogs, listening to audiobooks, paddleboarding in the summer, and baking sweet things when I’m not nerding out over neuroscience.
If you’re looking for a therapist who gets how hard the work can be—and believes deeply in your capacity to change—I’d love to connect. Let’s find your path forward, together.
Some of my favorite mindfulness quotes:
Some of my favorite mindfulness quotes:
Meditation is not about stopping thoughts but recognizing that we are more than our thoughts and our feelings.
Arianna Huffington
It is indeed a radical act of love just to sit down and be quiet for a time by yourself.
Jon Kabat-Zinn
To think in terms of either pessimism or optimism oversimplifies the truth. The problem is to see reality as it is.
Thích Nhất Hạnh
The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.
Thích Nhất Hạnh
When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves.
Jack Kornfield
Don’t believe everything you think. Thoughts are just that – thoughts.
Allan Lokos
Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.
Thích Nhất Hạnh
$150 per session
$150 per session
Licensed in California, Nevada and Arizona
Licensed in California, Nevada and Arizona
CA LMFT 82969, NV LMFT 4211-R, AZ LMFT 16270, CCTP-II
Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP-II)
IFS Level I Trained through the IFS Institute
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