Part 1 of 4
- Grief and loss
- Stress and anxiety
- Carer support
About Karen
Karen Nickelson is an AASW social worker who helps people navigate big life changes. She speaks plainly and listens carefully, making room for grief, stress, anxiety and relationship worries. Karen aims to help people feel steadier and more able to cope day to day.
She trained with a Master of Social Work and a Master of Mental Health Practice, and holds a Bachelor of Human Services in Counselling with a child and family focus. She also completed a Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling, and brings six years of professional experience to her practice.
Karen often supports people dealing with loss, carers facing long-term strain, and those approaching palliative or end-of-life concerns. She also helps with self-esteem, communication problems, attachment and abandonment issues, and the stresses of separation and blended family life.
In sessions she aims to be kind and direct. Conversations focus on what is happening now, practical steps to manage stress, and clearer ways to communicate with others. She values honesty and works to create an atmosphere where people can talk without judgement.
Her approach blends evidence-based therapeutic techniques with steady human support. Karen adapts what she does to each person’s goals and needs, helping them set small, achievable steps and build on progress over time.
She trained with a Master of Social Work and a Master of Mental Health Practice, and holds a Bachelor of Human Services in Counselling with a child and family focus. She also completed a Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling, and brings six years of professional experience to her practice.
Karen often supports people dealing with loss, carers facing long-term strain, and those approaching palliative or end-of-life concerns. She also helps with self-esteem, communication problems, attachment and abandonment issues, and the stresses of separation and blended family life.
In sessions she aims to be kind and direct. Conversations focus on what is happening now, practical steps to manage stress, and clearer ways to communicate with others. She values honesty and works to create an atmosphere where people can talk without judgement.
Her approach blends evidence-based therapeutic techniques with steady human support. Karen adapts what she does to each person’s goals and needs, helping them set small, achievable steps and build on progress over time.
Part 2 of 4
How evidence-based techniques translate to online care
Many of the techniques Karen uses come from well-established therapeutic approaches that focus on skills and practical change. One common strand is structured, problem-focused work that helps people manage anxiety and stress through step-by-step strategies and coping skills. This helps when symptoms are overwhelming or when someone needs tools for day-to-day regulation.Another element is grief-focused support, which provides space to name losses, process feelings and find ways to hold on to what matters. This approach combines emotional listening with practical planning for difficult moments, useful for people facing palliative care or complex bereavement.
Choosing the right approach is part of the work itself. Karen collaborates with each person to find which techniques fit best, adjusting methods as goals change and progress is tracked. She aims to work with clients to set achievable steps and review what helps.
If you are considering online therapy, confirm the current session options before booking as formats are not listed here. Online work can make attending sessions easier around daily life, reduce travel time and let people use quieter surroundings or a shorter check-in when needed. Appropriately qualified therapists can adapt these methods so sessions focus on practical coping, communication skills and emotional support.
Part 3 of 4
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily of origin issuesFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHearing impairedHospice and end-of-life counselingIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessLife purposeMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesPanic disorder and panic attacksPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressPregnancy and childbirthPrejudice and discriminationSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSocial anxiety and phobiaSomatizationTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Experience
6+ years
Credentials
See below
Languages
English
Part 4 of 4
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Karen commonly help with?
She works with stress, anxiety, relationship problems, grief, self-esteem and coping with life changes, plus related issues such as caregiving stress and separation.
What is her approach to therapy?
Sessions use evidence-based therapeutic techniques and practical conversations focused on current problems and small steps forward.
How much experience does she have?
Karen has six years of clinical experience supporting people through bereavement, carer strain and life transitions.
What credentials and region are listed?
She is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and practises in Australia.
Which languages are supported?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can people outside Australia work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin working with Karen?
Click the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.