Mind Diagnostics is user-supported. If you buy through a link on the site, we earn a commission from BetterHelp at no cost to you. Learn More

Karen OBrien, LCSW

Experienced mental health professional

Provides online counseling through BetterHelp

At a glance

Karen is an experienced, licensed Mental Health Professional who specializes in affordable online therapy offered through our partner, BetterHelp.

4.5 stars
Clients are very satisfied with Karen. View 21 reviews
Speaks English
Offers Telehealth visits
Licensed in Illinois

Recent reviews

Wonderful and thoughtful therapist.

Reviewed June 2024

Have been working with Karen for over 2 years and truly appreciate our connection. I’m not an easy person to connect with so definitely admire her qualification on many fronts and ability to recommend methods of copying with difficult personal situations.

Reviewed January 2024

More about Karen

  • 15 years' experience
  • Female
  • LCSW

I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years’ experience working with individuals, families, and couples. I encourage a therapeutic relationship based on respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Additionally, I encourage clients to utilize their strengths as tools to address their needs, life challenges, and enable progressions. Some common themes clients and I have worked through are depression, anxiety, communication skills, addiction, loss, grief, relationship issues, divorce, LGBTQ struggles and domestic violence.

I approach therapy with an eclectic perspective by utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Family Systems, Motivational Interviewing, Client-Centered Therapy, and Narrative Therapy. While also incorporating my professional and academic background in trauma, addiction, crisis intervention, domestic violence, divorce mediation, and community mental health during the session. I strive to meet you where you are and collaboratively develop a treatment plan to address your needs.

Taking the first steps toward change takes courage, if you are ready to take that step, I am here to support and empower you!

Specialties

Stress Anxiety Addictions Family conflicts Trauma and abuse Depression LGBT Relationship issues Parenting issues Anger management Self esteem Bipolar disorder Coping with life changes

Licenses

Karen OBrien's National Provider Identifier (NPI) is 1326135393.

  • LCSW · Illinois · 149.012167 · Expires November 2025

About online counseling

Affordable.
Pay a low flat fee.
Convenient.
Do it at your own time and at your own pace. Communicate whenever you feel it's needed.
Available now.
There is no waiting list and no calls to make. Simply fill out a short questionnaire and send your first message.

Online counseling allows you to receive care from a mental health practitioner via phone, video chat, or instant messaging. It is convenient for those who may have trouble getting to or would prefer not to have in-person therapy appointments. Starting at $65 per week, online counseling is generally more affordable than in-person counseling. A study by researchers at University of California, Berkeley found that online counseling can be just as effective as face-to-face therapy while being more convenient, affordable, and accessible.

Reviews for Karen OBrien

All reviews have been submitted by clients after seeing the provider.

Overall rating:

4.5

21 reviews

5
4
3
2
1

Clients mention: Helped The best Recommend Supportive Attentive Easy Great Guidance Professional Thoughtful

Wonderful and thoughtful therapist.

Reviewed June 2024

Have been working with Karen for over 2 years and truly appreciate our connection. I’m not an easy person to connect with so definitely admire her qualification on many fronts and ability to recommend methods of copying with difficult personal situations.

Reviewed January 2024

I felt very comfortable opening up with Karen. Clearly, her discernment is strong. She listens and is able to read my mail very quickly even when I’m being vague in what I share. Clearly, she has done this a good while -what a pro! She confirmed so many many things for me. This works to give me the nudge I need to take long over-due action. No rush; but start getting a plan together. Karen is there for support. I learn from her and she asks me the questions I need to consider to get to the root of the places where I’ve felt stuck. I’m getting unstuck and I’m sure Karen helps everybody in just that same way. Or maybe I’m just special. Or maybe Karen OBrien is just flowing in her calling to help God’s people move into wholeness and soundness

Reviewed September 2021

Karen is the best!

Reviewed November 2023

Excellent listener, offers guidance and ways to come. She has helped me so much through different journeys

Reviewed April 2023

Very professional and has a wealth of experience in coping mechanisms and mental health knowledge that she incorporates into every session.

Reviewed February 2023

Karen has helped recenter me when overwhelmed with guidance and is an awesome listener. Offers supportive advice and has help me build confidence in my own decision making. Highly recommend

Reviewed November 2022

I don't know how I was coping before therapy, best decision I have ever made

Reviewed August 2022

Karen has been so supportive and informative. She has really helped me through some difficult journeys

Reviewed June 2022

Karen is a kind compassionate therapist for me. I look forward to our sessions and she’s really good at connecting and reading my mental state. I love how warm her energy is and she has a natural smile to her face that helps me feel at ease and open to going deep. I’m so thankful for this platform and this incredible person I’ve been lucky to be paired with.

Reviewed June 2022

Karen is very kind and patient. She gives her full attention and makes you feel heard.

Reviewed May 2022

Karen is just the best! She will work with you anyway that suits you best. The more you work with her, the more you’ll come to appreciate how professional and wonderful she is at her job. I’ve had several therapist in the past, and I can honestly say she’s the best I have ever and will ever have.

Reviewed March 2022

Karen is a compassionate and thoughtful therapist. She has a lot of various training techniques and gives ideas for overcoming certain issues. Karen asks great questions and makes effort to remember and check in on things. I’m really happy I found her and have been extremely pleased with how easy it is to work with her as well as doing it via BetterHelp.

Reviewed March 2022

Karen is amazing. Supportive and has helped me learn a lot about myself.

Reviewed February 2022

Very responsive and compassionate.

Reviewed January 2022

Karen has helped me grow by not only listening, but helping me with worksheets/exercises. More importantly validating my feelings and she has help me realize what I want to be happy. I feel like she cares and feel like I’m talking to a friend vs a counselor.

Reviewed September 2021

Karen is a very attentive listener. She provides worksheets and extra resources so you can keep working on what you discussed in between sessions. If she isnt certified in a certain area she will let you know that while she can’t necessarily help you in that area, she will help you any way she can. She is very friendly, kind, and non-judgemental. If you are nervous about counseling, she would be a good person to go to because she has a very calming, comforting and attentive presence about her. i can not recommend her enough! ☺️

Reviewed August 2021

Like I’ve sake before, she’s the best!

Reviewed August 2021

I have only had one session with Karen so far, but it went very well and I am excited to continue our sessions together!

Reviewed July 2021

I have enjoyed meeting with Karen and look forward to her continuing to help me out.

Reviewed July 2021

She’s great

Reviewed June 2021

How was your experience with Karen?

Frequently asked questions

Does Karen OBrien offer telehealth visits?

Yes. Karen OBrien works with clients by exchanging messages, chatting live, speaking over the phone, or video conferencing based on what works for the client at that particular time.

What language(s) does Karen OBrien speak?

Karen OBrien speaks English.

How many years of experience does Karen OBrien have?

Karen OBrien has 15 years of experience.

Where is Karen OBrien licensed to practice?

Karen OBrien is licensed to practice in Illinois.

Does Karen OBrien accept clients outside of the United States?

No, Karen OBrien does not accept clients outside of the United States.

Is online therapy as effective as in-person therapy?

Numerous studies support the effectiveness of online platforms in facilitating life changes. For instance, research published by JMIR Publications, conducted by teams from the University of Berkeley, UCSF, and SF General Hospital, found that "users of BetterHelp experienced significantly reduced depression symptom severity after engaging with the platform."

How can I communicate with Karen OBrien?

Karen OBrien can be engaged in any one of four ways: (1) Exchanging messages, (2) chatting live, (3) speaking over the phone, or (4) video conferencing. You can use different ways at different times as you wish, based on your needs, availability, and convenience.

How do I get started with Karen OBrien?

Just tap the CHAT NOW button or tap here: A new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.

Mental health conditions are real, common, and treatable.

And recovery is possible.

Messaging
Live Chat
Phone
Video

When you tap CHAT NOW a new window will open and you'll be directed to a simple form that will help start the conversation. Please note: It can take up to a few days to be matched to a therapist.