AUTHOR

Karen Carloni MA, LCPC, NCC

(she/her/hers)

Licensing & Certifications:

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor – Maryland and South Carolina
National Certified Counselor

Professional Background

I am a passionate advocate of mental health and have worked in the field since 1992. I have worked in private practice and non-profit settings and served in clinical and operational roles. Currently, I am a strategy consultant with Open Minds.

My current focus is assisting behavioral health organizations in formulating successful strategies and addressing operations and workplace culture. It is a privilege to provide a workplace where clinicians can be at their best and create the most successful outcomes for the people they serve.

Previously, I served as the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Director, the Deputy Director, and later the Executive Director of Southern Maryland Community Network, Inc. On April 1, 2024, Southern Maryland Community Network, Inc. merged with Cornerstone Montgomery, and I served as the Chief Operating Officer. I have also served in private practice roles at Synergy e Therapy and with Resource Guidance Services, where I provided therapy to youth, adults, couples, and families.

Professional Affiliations

National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland

Education

Bachelor’s of Science from the University of Florida in Psychology
Masters in Counselor Education from the University of South Florida

Why I Write for Choosing Therapy

I write for ChoosingTherapy.com because I wanted to share my expertise and ensure that each article was carefully edited and medically reviewed. Choosing therapy is a great resource for people seeking accurate and practical mental health information.

Areas of Focus

Karen specializes in mood and anxiety disorders.

Treatment of mood and anxiety disorders
Working with teens
College student and young adult adjustment
Couples counseling
Career development & transitions
Trauma-informed individual counseling for anxiety, emotional regulation, relationship concerns, and grief & loss, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.

Featured Articles

Personality Disorders in Teens: Signs, Symptoms, & Treatment

A personality disorder is an enduring pattern of traits and behaviors that presents as extreme and departs from cultural norms. This departure from social standards results in an impairment within crucial areas of a teen’s life. Identifying and treating these disorders is critical, as they can be a risk factor for other psychiatric conditions.

November 8, 2022

Work Depression: Signs, Causes, & How to Cope

Depression is a significant cause of reduced productivity and functional impairment in affected workers. Discriminating between work as a cause of depression or as a context in which it occurs can determine how to best address the problem.

January 20, 2023

Racing Thoughts at Night: Causes & 5 Tips to Help You Sleep

Experiencing different thoughts simultaneously or one after another when trying to sleep is known as racing thoughts at night. Often a symptom of anxiety, they can be random or attributed to a particular event or stage of life. Racing thoughts may be a temporary uncomfortable experience or signal a larger behavioral health concern, but effective coping and treatment options can help you get to sleep.

March 9, 2023

Ergophobia (Fear of Working): Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments

Ergophobia is an extreme, irrational and debilitating fear of working and the features of work, such as tasks, social relationships, or speaking in work settings. In order for symptoms to be diagnosed as ergophobia, symptoms must persist for over six months.

March 15, 2023