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24 licensed therapists & providers in Maryland—2 in Annapolis. Available as soon as today, in person and online
Our providers work with individuals, couples, families, & teens for anxiety, depression, grief, & more
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94% of patients feel truly understood by their provider. 3 out of 4 see improvement in depression & anxiety symptoms within 3 months
Discover how starting family therapy can support your own journey toward a happier, more fulfilling life.
Drawing from my clinical experience and my research with diverse families and caregivers, I approach therapy with empathy, cultura...
About
Drawing from my clinical experience and my research with diverse families and caregivers, I approach therapy with empathy, cultural humility, and a deep commitment to helping you navigate stress, identity, and the everyday demands of life.
I am a licensed graduate professional counselor (LGPC) with 17 years of experience supporting individuals and families through life transitions, stress, emotional challenges, and identity concerns. I work with clients seeking clarity, confidence, and practical tools to navigate daily demands, and I strive to create a therapeutic space where they feel seen, supported, and empowered to heal and grow.
I earned my doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology from Capella University. My approach integrates empathy, cultural humility, and strength-based, mindfulness-based, and trauma-informed practices to help clients build coping skills, improve relationships, and deepen their sense of emotional balance and resilience.
You deserve a space where your story is honored, and your healing is supported. I am here to walk with you as you gain clarity, strengthen your well-being, and develop tools that help you thrive. When you feel ready to begin, I would be honored to help you take the next step toward meaningful change and a more grounded, connected life.
Education and training
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I am here to help my client's explore feelings, improve quality of life, and strive towards their goals, while they remain feeling...
I am here to help my client's explore feelings, improve quality of life, and strive towards their goals, while they remain feeling safe and heard.
Karen Ortman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 5 years of experience in the mental health field. She has worked with children to assist them in improving their emotional and behavioral challenges, and she has worked with adults to learn and improve their daily living and social skills. Karen specializes in ADHD, anger, behavioral issues, coping skills, family therapy, and adjustment disorders.
Karen completed her Master's degree in Social Work at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Karen is very motivated to help her clients achieve progress towards their personal goals. Karen utilizes a variety of therapeutic approaches, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness, behavioral therapy, and structural family therapy (SFT).
Karen is willing to put in the time to help you discover new ways to understand and improve your quality of life. Be sure to schedule an appointment with her to begin working towards a healthier you.
You deserve dedicated time with a mental health professional — it can be life-changing.
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Systemic Family Therapy (SFT) encourages the family as a social unit and the relationships between its members.
Circular questioning - explain how each member is connected to one another. Positive reinforcement - each member of the family is unique. Journaling - to write down feelings and thoughts with family members.
Each member continues to be engaged in the family therapy process.
Practicing positive behaviors, sharing thoughts, and self-disclosing ways to become closer to the family unit.
Practice learning tools to practice managing emotions and learn to LISTEN before reacting.
Family therapy helps families resolve conflicts and strengthen their relationships. It is led by qualified mental health professionals like psychologists, licensed professional counselors (LPCs), and licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs) who have extensive training in family dynamics and group communication.
Thriveworks family therapists in Annapolis, MD usually begin by asking what everyone’s goals are for family counseling. Family members may need help with very specific issues or with general relationship functioning. But there are three main purposes in family counseling: to educate, to counsel, and to strengthen. Thriveworks also offers online family therapy and in-person services, so you may all meet in an office together or join a video call from your home depending on everyone’s location and availability.
The most effective form of Family therapy will often depend on the family itself, as there are many types of family therapy for therapists to use as they see fit in order to best meet the needs of their clients. However, one of the most commonly used types of family therapy is structural family therapy (SFT). SFT focuses specifically on family dynamics and interactions, looking at how they shape the relationships and structure present in the family. It can be effectively used to treat a variety of concerns.
This answer often looks different to each family that starts family therapy. However, some signs that your family might need to consider family counseling include frequent fights or misunderstandings, constant tension, experiencing loss, behavioral issues, marital issues, divorce, and blended family issues, among others.
In family therapy, therapists will often start by asking questions and assessing individual and family dynamics. From there, they may employ therapeutic techniques such as structured family therapy, CBT, strategic family therapy, and more depending on the present concerns and conflicts. From there, a therapist will work to open lines of communication between family members and facilitate emotional healing and growth.
Family therapy can be incredibly successful, with some studies reporting a success rate of almost 90% for improving participants’ emotional and mental health, and around 66% for improving their physical health.
Thriveworks therapists in Annapolis, MD offer both online family therapy and in-person family therapy. We encourage you to choose the option that works best for you.
Family therapy is usually short term and solution-focused, with most families accomplishing their goals in 12 sessions or fewer. However, it can also last for longer if the probles at hand are more complex — and that’s okay, too.
The word “family” can have a lot of meanings, but its official definition is a group of people related by blood or ancestry. Now, some of us are closer with our family members than others. But there’s no denying the profound effect one’s family can have on their livelihood—whether the relationships with their loved ones are tight-knit or not.
In a nutshell, family therapy helps families make reparations and improve their relationships with one another. If this sounds like something your family could benefit from, consider reaching out to Thriveworks Counseling in Annapolis, MD.
As we just described, family therapy is designed to help families work through their issues and build up their relationships. This type of therapy can help virtually any and every family, as there are often things to improve upon in our closest relationships. However, it can prove especially beneficial to families that are going through a particularly challenging time. These challenges include:
Family therapy is designed with each family’s specific challenges and needs in mind. However, it works by promoting collaboration among the family. Family members will work together to understand each other’s needs, concerns, and issues. Their therapist will encourage them to support each other through these tough conversations and periods of rebuilding.
Again, family therapy is designed on an individual basis—it can look different from one family to the next because every family is different! That said, there are a few common approaches to family therapy, of which your own family therapist might utilize:
If you decide to meet with a family therapist at Thriveworks Counseling in Annapolis, they’ll get to know your family and then employ the method that they think will best help you. This plan will be based on your needs and goals, of which you can communicate to your counselor and also allow them to observe themselves.
Thriveworks Counseling is honored to help the people of Annapolis, MD (and beyond)! If you think that your family could use a little help or guidance from a therapist, consider trying family therapy. If you’re interested in this pursuit, call Thriveworks. We can set you up with a family therapist in Annapolis, MD, right away, and you could meet with them as soon as this week.
Includes individual, couples, child/ teen, & family therapy
Includes reducing symptoms with medication & management
Thriveworks Counseling & Psychiatry Annapolis is located in the Housley Office Park near Housley Rd and Defense Hwy, off US-50. It is a short distance from the AAnnapolis Foot & Ankle Center and near the Waterworks Park.
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24 therapists available in Maryland, including 2 in Annapolis
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