- Practical coping tools
- Strengths focused
- English and Spanish
About Karina
Karina Fernandez is a licensed clinical social worker with 16 years of experience in mental health. She brings warmth and straightforward support to people managing stress, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. Karina speaks English and Spanish and practices in Tennessee as an LCSW.
Her path includes work in multiple clinical settings, supporting people with PTSD, survivors of violent crimes, and those facing complex grief and loss. She uses practical, skills-based approaches so people can manage symptoms and feel more in control day to day. Sessions focus on identifying strengths and building coping strategies that fit each person's life.
Karina blends client-centered work with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy to address unhelpful thinking and emotional regulation. She also incorporates mindfulness practices to help with grounding and present-moment awareness. These methods are adapted to a person's needs rather than applied the same way to everyone.
When trauma is part of the story, Karina draws on trauma-focused methods to help process painful memories and reduce their impact on daily functioning. She emphasizes pacing and safety so people move forward at a rate they can tolerate. The goal is practical relief and clearer choices, not quick fixes.
People who connect well with her often want hands-on tools, a respectful listener, and guidance toward rebuilding confidence. She encourages people to notice strengths they already have and use those strengths to support change. To begin, follow the Start Therapy steps and complete the matching questionnaire to find the right fit.
How certain approaches translate to online work
Client-Centered Therapy focuses on listening and building trust. The therapist follows the person’s lead, reflects what she hears, and helps clarify goals. This approach helps people feel understood and more able to make decisions about next steps.Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, teaches concrete skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviors. It often includes small homework tasks, thought records, and short experiments to test new ways of responding to stress and anxiety.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy, or DBT, emphasizes emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness. It offers step-by-step skills that help when emotions feel overwhelming or relationships are strained.
Finding the best approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the person to identify goals, try techniques, and adjust methods when something does not fit. That means starting with what feels most useful and adapting over time based on progress and preferences.
Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy into busy days, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. Licensed professionals can also use online work to practice skills between sessions and bring tools directly into everyday routines.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
16+ years
Credentials
Tennessee
Languages
English, Spanish
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does she help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief, self-esteem, addictions, relationship and family issues, sleep problems, parenting strain, and compassion fatigue among other concerns.
What is her therapy style like?
Her style is practical and client-centered, focusing on skills people can use right away. Sessions often include problem-solving, emotional regulation, and mindfulness practice.
How much experience does she have?
She has 16 years of experience working in mental health settings with people facing depression, anxiety, PTSD, survivors of violent crime, and complex grief.
What credentials and region does she work in?
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) practicing in Tennessee with a masters degree in social work.
Which languages are available for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English and Spanish.
Can people outside the U.S. work with her?
She does not accept international clients at this time.
How does payment and cost work?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be canceled at any time.
How do I begin a therapy relationship?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.
Profile details come from information the therapist supplied to BetterHelp. Credential and registration rules differ between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.