Hi, I’m Karen (she​/​her), a neurodivergent counsellor passionate about helping people feel safe, seen, and accepted in their full authenticity. I bring lived experience of chronic anxiety and depression, undiagnosed autism, and growing up in a home shaped by intergenerational trauma, emotional unpredictability, and survival-driven parenting. As the daughter of two Vietnamese refugees, I grew up in a household marked by emotional unpredictability. My parents did their best in the wake of war and migration, but like many first-gen kids, I learned to mask distress, manage others’ emotions, and put myself last. These early experiences shaped my trauma-informed, attachment-focused approach and fuel my commitment to breaking cycles of intergenerational trauma with the next generation. Like many girls and AFAB people, I went undiagnosed for years, labelled “mature,” “quiet,” and “high-achieving” while quietly struggling with sensory overload, emotional regulation, and social exhaustion. This experience gave me a deep understanding of how being overlooked or misunderstood can erode a person’s sense of self. Today, I hold space for others who’ve felt like they had to perform, hide, or constantly adapt just to be accepted. I work from a strengths-based, neurodivergent-affirming lens and blend creative, somatic-based, and relational approaches to support clients navigating anxiety, burnout, identity, people-pleasing, and complex trauma. As a counsellor and support worker for the past 3 years, I’ve helped neurodivergent and disabled clients across a range of life experiences, and I know how difficult it can be to find safe, accessible support, especially for those living with chronic illnesses, like my mum and best friend. I offer online counselling across Australia and welcome people of all ages and identities — especially those who’ve ever felt “too much,” “not enough,” or simply unseen. You don’t need to mask here. Whatever you're struggling with, I'm here for you.

Qualifications

Master of Counselling Bachelor of Arts (Major in Psychology)