Karen Coad Couples Therapist

About Me

I’m Karen Coad, a clinical social worker licensed in DC, Virginia, Maryland, and Florida. Over the last 15 years, I've cultivated a passion for my work with individuals with “sticky” brains- the overthinkers of the world.  My mission is to help individuals and couples succeed in love, life, and parenting.

I specialize in working with anxiety and OCD, offering evidence-based, tailored therapies including ERP, I-CBT, and ACT. I also specialize in relationship counseling and parenting support As a very human parent myself, I take a non-judgmental stance in supporting families. I provide the tools and ask the questions that allow you to create change and manage behavioral and emotional challenges. I integrate evidence-based parenting support and education through programs such as Triple P (Positive Parenting Program).

SCHEDULE AN INITIAL CONVERSATION

Karen.Coad@dremmabasch.com

Offers teletherapy and in-person sessions

1718 Connecticut Ave Suite 201, NW

(703) 672-0232

Experience & Training

I completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Clinical Social Work at Rhode Island College in Providence, RI where I had the privilege of working with foster parents. Post-graduation, I transitioned into a community mental health setting, providing accessible and high-quality therapeutic care to families and individuals. More recently, I rekindled my focus on collaborative parenting support, undergoing extensive training and accreditation in evidence-based parent consultation through Triple P (Positive Parenting Program). I also sought additional training in couples therapy through the Gottman Institute and am a Level 2 Trained Gottman Couples Therapist. 

OCD and related disorders are also an area of expertise and interest for me. I am a graduate of the Behavior Therapy Training Institute (BTTI) and enjoy providing Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Inference-Based Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (I-CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for clients diagnosed with OCD.

Lastly, I have also completed advanced training in perinatal mental health and specialize in perinatal OCD,  integrating my two fields of interest, and am certified in Perinatal Mental Health (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International.

Therapeutic Approach

My therapeutic approach emphasizes collaboration and empowerment, rooted in a belief that each individual possesses the capacity for growth. I strive to create a non-judgmental and supportive environment where clients feel genuinely heard and understood. Drawing from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), I guide clients in mindfully observing their thoughts and emotions, empowering them to align their actions with their deeply held values, amidst life's challenges.

I offer compassionate support and evidence-based perinatal mental health interventions, to help aid and address the complexities of such a pivotal life phase. As a parent myself, I specialize in providing comprehensive parenting support, utilizing strategies from programs like Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) to enhance familial relationships and effectively manage behavioral challenges. 

Black couple in a field

Focus Areas and Expertise

I have extensive experience supporting individuals and couples dealing with anxiety, OCD, and relationship and parenting challenges. I have specialized training in perinatal mental health, with a particular focus on integrating evidence-based interventions to support clients experiencing perinatal OCD. I am a Gottman Trained couples therapist and love helping couples and families improve their relationships and well-being. I’m passionate about providing evidence-based parenting support and love helping parents develop effective management strategies for dealing with a variety of childhood behavioral and emotional problems and common developmental issues.