Karen Streetman, Intern

Karen is deeply passionate about helping individuals and couples navigate various life challenges. This includes individuals who identify within the ACE Spectrum, mixed-orientation couples, and those with differing libidos. She also supports those facing mental and emotional barriers that impact sexual performance, issues related to sexual desire, infidelity, and survivors of sexual trauma. Additionally, Karen has a keen interest in assisting individuals struggling with mood disorders, anxiety, and grief and loss (including those who have lost loved ones to suicide and homicide).

Karen utilizes the narrative therapy approach, which focuses on the idea that individual’s identities are shaped by the stories they tell about themselves and their experiences. By examining and re-authoring their stories, clients can gain new insights, empower themselves, and create a path forward. Karen focuses on separating the person from their problems, seeing the issues as external rather than intrinsic to the individual. This perspective lets clients view their challenges objectively and creatively, opening opportunities for new solutions, healing, and personal growth. Karen emphasizes the importance of cultural and societal influences on personal narratives, acknowledging how broader contexts can shape individual experiences.

Karen is currently working towards her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy with a specialization in systemic sex therapy at National University. She earned her bachelor’s in studio art and psychology from Agnes Scott College.

Karen chose ATC for her internship because of the diverse population the site attracts; she is eager to gain experience working with individuals from all walks of life. She believes that this opportunity not only enhances her professional skills in individual, sex, and couples therapy but also broadens her understanding of different perspectives and needs. Karen is particularly interested in learning how to tailor her approaches to meet each client’s unique challenges, and she is excited about the potential for personal growth through this immersion. She is supervised by Courtney Geter, LMFT-S, CST-S, and a clinical faculty supervisor at National University.