Grief, Career Counseling, Anger Management, Stress / Mental Stress / Work Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Relationships, Life Transition, Eating Disorder, Sleep / Insomnia
Accepted insurance & self-pay
About Karen
Karen Bennett is a Licensed Professional Counselor with over 21 years of experience supporting individuals across the lifespan. She has worked in diverse settings, including schools, universities, and community mental health. Karen specializes in anxiety, depression, ADHD, grief, trauma, and relationship challenges. She is passionate about helping others heal, grow, and achieve emotional wellness through empathy, collaboration, and evidence-based care.
Karen earned her Master’s in Counseling from Oakland University and integrates cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness, and trauma-informed approaches into her work. She believes in meeting clients where they are and helping them build resilience, manage symptoms, and develop healthy coping strategies to navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence.
Karen creates a supportive, client-centered space where individuals feel heard and empowered. Her work helps clients gain insight, improve communication, and build healthier relationships. With a focus on self-awareness and compassion, she supports clients in fostering personal growth, emotional balance, and meaningful change.
"As a cisgender biracial woman, I understand growing up in a mixed-race home as well as being raised by an immigrant mother."
Get to know Karen
Why did you decide to become a counselor or psychiatric provider?
Deciding to become a counselor is often driven by a desire to help others, a passion for understanding human behavior, or a personal experience that inspired you. You might have a strong sense of empathy, a wish to make a positive impact in people's lives, or a fascination with mental health and emotional well-being.
What types of clients do you work with best?
Children and adults
What type of clients are you most excited to work with?
Pre-marital
What's one thing you wish all clients knew?
That I believe in them, and I know they can heal with help and determination.
Why did you choose to practice at Thriveworks?
To be able to reach more people and be more independent as a therapist.
What inspires you?
I had a professor that inspired me because he was more than just my teacher. When my father passed away he came to the funeral and that meant a lot to me; and I want to be there for my client's in some compacity.
What can clients expect in their first session with you?
In the first session I like to work on building a strong rapport and completing the intake.
What do you want to accomplish with an individual in their first session?
A first counseling session, also known as an intake or assessment session, is primarily focused on building rapport and gathering information to understand the client's situation and needs. It involves a combination of building trust, exploring the client's history and current concerns, assessing mental health status and potential risks, and collaboratively setting treatment goals.
What should clients know about you before scheduling a first session?
The goals the client's make are their goals, they make their own goals.
What do you do for fun/on your time off?
I love to spend time with family, travel, read, watch football, spend time at our cottage.
What's one thing about you that defines you (non-professional)?
My Catholic faith. It has really helped me stay grounded, and always gives me hope and something to believe in as well as a sense of community.
Other areas of focus
Education and training
- Years in practice
- 21 years
- Graduating institute
- Oakland University
- Graduating degree
- Masters in Counseling
Additional details
Practice information
Publications, Accomplishments & Awards
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