My name is Karen Aguilar and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) based in Los Angeles, California, working with clients statewide via telehealth. I work with adolescents and adults, specializing in anxiety, stress, grief, and depression.

My approach

My approach to therapy varies based on the needs of each client. I most frequently use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help my clients progress and start feeling better. These modalities help me and the client build a shared understanding of their reality, and allow us to work together to create progress.

My focus

My style and approach are a good fit for teens and adults who may be dealing with the challenges of past trauma, life transitions, and social pressures. This often takes the form of anxiety, depression, and stress. I help my clients navigate these transition periods and build skills to allow them to feel better about themselves and develop a more positive outlook on life.

My communication style

My communication style is calm, accommodating, and personable. I want my clients to feel comfortable talking with me about anything, without judgment. Therapy is supposed to be a safe place and I do everything I can to ensure that my clients feel heard, understood, and supported.

My journey to therapy

At a very young age, I always wanted to do something to help people. Growing up I realized that I had special gifting such as being a great listener, compassionate, and a mediator which naturally placed me in situations and in front of people where I had the opportunity to listen, help and provide support in various situations. I decided to become a therapist because this gave me the opportunity to be there for more people in the hard seasons of their life and see them become the best version of themselves.

My goals for you

My approach to goal setting with clients is all about working together to define what you want to accomplish in our time together. This often starts by building trust between us and getting comfortable with what it means to be in therapy. Over time, we’ll work together to set goals and track your progress. My overall goal for you is to enjoy the season of life that you are in while having hope and excitement for the future.

My first session with you

The first session together is about building connections and helping me get a sense of where we should go in future sessions. This is where I ask you questions about yourself, your family, and current issues. This allows me the opportunity to get to know you and to create a plan on how to best use our time together.