Karen McKinney

FOCUS: Trauma and PTSD • Suicidal Ideation • Mood Disorders • EMDR

Karen is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Associate in Charlotte, NC, specializing in trauma therapy, crisis intervention, and holistic mental health counseling. She practices from a person-centered, integrative framework that honors the connection between mind, body, and spirit, helping clients feel seen, supported, and empowered throughout their healing journey.

Karen utilizes a blend of evidence-based and holistic therapeutic approaches, tailoring each session to the unique needs of the individual. Her clinical modalities include EMDR therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), nutritional psychology, and Eastern-based philosophies. This integrative approach allows her to address both the emotional and physiological components of mental health, supporting deeper and more sustainable healing.

A strong advocate for holistic mental health, Karen believes emotional wellbeing is deeply influenced by what we consume—nutritionally, environmentally, and mentally. She has developed a unique counseling style that incorporates nutrition-informed mental health support, helping clients understand how diet, lifestyle, and external stressors can impact mood, resilience, and nervous system regulation. Karen views therapy as a complex yet beautiful process and finds deep fulfillment in walking alongside clients as they work toward more balanced, authentic, and fulfilling lives.

Karen brings extensive experience from diverse clinical settings, including an inpatient addiction rehabilitation center, an outpatient Department of Mental Health clinic, an intensive in-home community-based program for children with trauma, and a crisis response team. This breadth of experience allows her to confidently support clients through acute crises as well as long-term healing work.

Karen earned her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina and completed her first master’s degree at Boston University, where she studied international relations, global governance, conflict resolution, and peacekeeping. While interning with the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, she witnessed the profound trauma experienced by refugees, which inspired her to pursue advanced clinical training. She later earned her second master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2020, equipping her to work directly with trauma-impacted individuals.

Book an appointment with Karen, a Holistic Counselor and EMDR Therapist in Charlotte, NC, to receive support for anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD, suicidal ideation, self-harm, abuse, and crisis situations.