Karen Eldridge , LPC

Karen Eldridge brings nine years of counseling experience and a broad background to her practice in Virginia. She entered the counseling field after working in other professions, and she uses that life experience to relate to the twists and turns people face. Karen earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Virginia's College at Wise, a Master of Counseling from Lindsey Wilson College, and a PhD in Psychology from Capella University. She received the National Certified Counselor (NCC) designation in 2013 and became a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in April 2019, qualifications that reflect her formal training and professional standing.

Karen works with adults and couples across a range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, relationship and intimacy issues, self-esteem, depression, addictions, family and blended-family challenges, trauma and abuse, grief, bipolar disorder, and coping with life changes such as infidelity. Her therapeutic approach centers on genuineness, responsibility, and accountability, with an emphasis on building a collaborative partnership. She encourages open, comfortable conversations that feel more like talking with a trusted friend while focusing on uncovering strengths, desires, and talents that support purposeful, passionate living. In her spare time she enjoys reading and spending time with family.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Karen integrates client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) into her online work. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a warm, accepting environment where the client is the expert on their own life and the therapist follows the client's lead to support personal growth and self-discovery. CBT looks at the links between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and offers practical strategies to shift unhelpful patterns, which can be useful for anxiety, depression, and stress. DBT combines skills training in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness to help clients manage intense emotions and improve relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Karen collaborates with each person to determine what methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences. Licensed professionals often draw from multiple approaches to tailor care, and Karen helps clients discover the best mix through ongoing discussion and feedback.

Online sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging allow for flexible scheduling and easier access from home or other locations. These options make it simpler to maintain consistency, fit therapy into a busy life, and continue work between sessions, while still receiving the guidance of a trained therapist.