Karen Sumpter

Karen Sumpter is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with 30 years of clinical experience. She draws on personal experience as a cancer survivor and on long professional practice to help people facing stress, anxiety, grief, trauma, and depression. Karen focuses on practical steps that make daily life easier and more manageable.

Her style is warm and person-centered. She listens first, then helps set clear goals and simple steps to reach them. Early sessions include an assessment and a discussion of how therapy will work so people know what to expect.

Karen blends Trauma-Focused Therapy with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and mindfulness practices. She tailors techniques to each person’s needs and mixes in psychoeducation and humanistic ideas when useful. Sessions often involve learning coping tools, practicing new ways of thinking, and building routines that support recovery.

She has spent decades helping adults and older adults navigate chronic illness, cancer recovery, aging concerns, chronic pain, mood disorders, and life transitions. Karen also supports people working on self-esteem, communication, decision-making, and anger management.

Her approach is collaborative: she and the client develop a treatment plan with goals and clear steps. If someone wants to start, Karen asks them to complete a brief matching questionnaire so scheduling and planning can begin.

Approaches that translate well to online work

Trauma-Focused Therapy helps people process and reduce the impact of past traumatic events. It often involves pacing the work, stabilizing symptoms, and learning skills to manage painful memories and reactions.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, focuses on values and practical steps. It helps people accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking action that aligns with what matters to them.

Client-Centered Therapy creates a supportive space where the therapist follows the person’s lead. This approach emphasizes empathy and respect while the person finds their own solutions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Karen will collaborate with each person to choose or combine methods based on their needs, goals, and preferences. That choice can change over time as progress is made.

If you are considering online sessions, confirm the available session formats before booking since they are not specified here. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy day, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. Many people find exercises, mindfulness practices, and CBT-style skill building translate well to remote sessions. Talk with Karen during the intake to plan an approach that fits your schedule and goals.