Karen MountainJohnson

“I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.” -Maya Angelou.

Regardless of your specific reason for seeking a therapist, I would like to assure you: you are strong and you are resilient. You are not defined by your past choices or experiences. You can find more peace, joy, and confidence. In fact, your choice to begin looking for a therapist is evidence of this.

As a therapist, my goal is to create a physical and emotional space that is safe enough for you to explore your genuine self: examining both the areas of your life that contribute to suffering, as well as the very best and most important parts of yourself. Although much of my role is to support you as you reflect on difficult areas of your life, you can also trust that I will respectfully challenge you and help you to recognize opportunities for growth and change.
I am a person-centered therapist, which means I am always orienting our work towards you as a unique individual. My work is informed by a number of theoretical orientations including; humanist/existential, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, trauma-informed therapy, motivational interviewing, mindfulness, and EMDR. In plain English? I use a variety of skills and approaches to learn: Who are you? What do you want from your life? And how can I help empower you to make the changes that you are hoping for?

I specialize in working with adults (18+) who are suffering with depression, anxiety, mood disorders, trauma, grief and loss, relationship difficulties, and any number of major life stressors or transitions. It is important to me that you experience a non-judgmental space, and I welcome individuals from all cultural backgrounds, religious or non-religious belief systems, and the LGBTQIA+ community.

I earned my Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology and my Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota. I am a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in the State of Minnesota and am a board-approved supervisor for LPC and LPCC candidates.