Pietruck Therapy Services
Therapy Services
Karen Kohn, LMSW
(she/her/hers)
Where she studied:
Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature
– University of Michigan
Master of Social Work
– University of Michigan
What she does at Pietruck Therapy Services
Psychotherapist
Location:
Saline & Virtual
Contact:
Meet Karen
What is your favorite place?
I love northern Michigan! I especially love being near the water and spending time outside in nature.
What is your favorite quote?
“How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
– Anne Frank
What is your favorite way to move your body?
I love hiking, especially with my family and my dog.
What do you do for self-care/self-love?
I try to incorporate self-care into my daily routine by prioritizing rest, nutrition, and an activity I enjoy, such as reading a good book, snuggling with my dog and 2 cats, tending my herb garden, or talking with friends.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was very young, I wanted to be a pediatrician. I knew I wanted to help people, especially kids!
Who is your ideal client?
I believe clients get the most out of therapy when they are open to connection, healing, and change. This can present in many ways, including being vulnerable and curious, and open to learning about themselves.
Why do you like being a therapist?
I enjoy helping people improve and enrich their own lives through healing from pain, learning about themselves, and making positive changes.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
Therapy is one of those things where the more someone puts into it, the more they can gain from it. Therapy is much more than helping someone feel better; it can be hard, but the result can be so very rewarding.
Why/how can people benefit from therapy?
People benefit from therapy in a variety of different ways depending on their unique needs and circumstances. Therapy can help someone understand, process, and cope with their feelings and experiences. Therapy can help a person define their personal goals and identify ways to pursue them. Therapy also can help someone look at their own behaviors and determine whether they are benefiting from them.
What is something you’d like clients to know about you (or how you work)?
I enjoy making real connections with clients by showing up as my authentic self and inviting clients to do the same. Rather than give advice or direction, I collaborate with them to understand their unique needs and discover how they may be met. I may offer ideas or options and then follow the client’s lead.
What does success in therapy look like to you?
There are many ways to be successful in therapy. I think any forward movement or positive impact, no matter how big or small, can be a mark of success. Even a seemingly small shift, such as gaining a new perspective on a situation, or taking the risk to trust another person with their thoughts and feelings. These can result in positive changes in one’s life, now and in the future, like a ripple effect.
What are your thoughts about the “stigma” of therapy?
I love the phrase “Mental health care is health care” because it normalizes seeking help for the emotional and behavioral challenges life gives us. The stigma of therapy, the shame and fear of judgement, prevents people from taking care of their whole selves. It is my hope that more and more people will seek treatment for their mental health concerns the way they do for their physical health concerns.
Populations:
Kids (5+), Tweens, Teens, Young Adults, Adults & Families
Treatment Modalities:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Attachment Theory
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Family Systems
Inner Child/“Parts” Work
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Mindfulness
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Play Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychoeducation
Strength-Based Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Professional Specializations
Anxiety
Attachment
Bullying
Coping Skills
Depression
Emotional Regulation
Grief and Loss
Infertility
LGBTQIA2S+ and Questioning Folx
Life Transitions
Mindfulness
Other Helping Professionals and Fellow Therapists
Parenting
Personal Empowerment
Relationships
Self-Esteem
Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation
Sexual Harassment
Stress
Trauma
Women’s Health & Postpartum
Work/Life Balance
Karen Kohn, LMSW
(she/her/hers)
Where she studied:
Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature
– University of Michigan
Master of Social Work
– University of Michigan
What she does at Pietruck Therapy Services
Psychotherapist
Location:
Saline & Virtual
Contact:
Meet Karen
What is your favorite place?
I love northern Michigan! I especially love being near the water and spending time outside in nature.
What is your favorite quote?
“How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
– Anne Frank
What is your favorite way to move your body?
I love hiking, especially with my family and my dog.
What do you do for self-care/self-love?
I try to incorporate self-care into my daily routine by prioritizing rest, nutrition, and an activity I enjoy, such as reading a good book, snuggling with my dog and 2 cats, tending my herb garden, or talking with friends.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was very young, I wanted to be a pediatrician. I knew I wanted to help people, especially kids!
Who is your ideal client?
I believe clients get the most out of therapy when they are open to connection, healing, and change. This can present in many ways, including being vulnerable and curious, and open to learning about themselves.
Why do you like being a therapist?
I enjoy helping people improve and enrich their own lives through healing from pain, learning about themselves, and making positive changes.
What is something you wish people knew about therapy?
Therapy is one of those things where the more someone puts into it, the more they can gain from it. Therapy is much more than helping someone feel better; it can be hard, but the result can be so very rewarding.
Why/how can people benefit from therapy?
People benefit from therapy in a variety of different ways depending on their unique needs and circumstances. Therapy can help someone understand, process, and cope with their feelings and experiences. Therapy can help a person define their personal goals and identify ways to pursue them. Therapy also can help someone look at their own behaviors and determine whether they are benefiting from them.
What is something you’d like clients to know about you (or how you work)?
I enjoy making real connections with clients by showing up as my authentic self and inviting clients to do the same. Rather than give advice or direction, I collaborate with them to understand their unique needs and discover how they may be met. I may offer ideas or options and then follow the client’s lead.
What does success in therapy look like to you?
There are many ways to be successful in therapy. I think any forward movement or positive impact, no matter how big or small, can be a mark of success. Even a seemingly small shift, such as gaining a new perspective on a situation, or taking the risk to trust another person with their thoughts and feelings. These can result in positive changes in one’s life, now and in the future, like a ripple effect.
What are your thoughts about the “stigma” of therapy?
I love the phrase “Mental health care is health care” because it normalizes seeking help for the emotional and behavioral challenges life gives us. The stigma of therapy, the shame and fear of judgement, prevents people from taking care of their whole selves. It is my hope that more and more people will seek treatment for their mental health concerns the way they do for their physical health concerns.
Populations:
Kids, Tweens, Teens, Young Adults, Adults &
Families
Treatment Modalities:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Attachment Theory
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT)
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Family Systems
Inner Child/“Parts” Work
Internal Family Systems (IFS)
Mindfulness
Motivational Interviewing
Narrative Therapy
Person-Centered Therapy
Play Therapy
Psychodynamic Therapy
Psychoeducation
Strength-Based Therapy
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
Professional Specializations
Anxiety
Attachment
Bullying
Coping Skills
Depression
Emotional Regulation
Grief and Loss
Infertility
LGBTQIA2S+ and Questioning Folx
Life Transitions
Mindfulness
Other Helping Professionals and Fellow Therapists
Parenting
Personal Empowerment
Relationships
Self-Esteem
Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation
Sexual Harassment
Stress
Trauma
Women’s Health & Postpartum
Work/Life Balance
Background
Karen has clinical training doing therapy with children and teens who have experienced abuse and trauma, as well as adults with serious and persistent mental illness. Most recently, Karen worked at a center for grieving children, teens and their families. Her experience there helped affirm her passion for working with individuals of all ages dealing with grief, trauma, and significant life transitions. In addition, Karen has worked extensively with groups and has experience as a University of Michigan Field Instructor training and supervising MSW students in the field.
