Karen Nickelson, AASW

Karen Nickelson is a member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and brings a combination of clinical training and lived experience to her counselling practice. She holds a Master of Social Work and a Master of Mental Health Practice, postgraduate qualifications that focus on clinical social work and mental health care. Her earlier training includes a Bachelor of Human Services in Counselling with a child and family focus, and a Certificate IV in Telephone Counselling, which provides specific skills for supporting people by phone and remote channels.

With six years of professional experience based in Australia, Karen focuses on helping people navigate grief and loss, supporting carers, and working with palliative and end-of-life concerns, as well as broader life transitions. She also offers support for stress, anxiety, relationship and self-esteem concerns, and common issues that arise during major life changes. Her practice draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques tailored to each person’s needs.

Clients can expect a counsellor described by her own practice as kind, compassionate, and empathetic. Karen values honesty and aims to create a nonjudgmental space where people can talk openly and explore practical ways to cope and adapt. She looks forward to working collaboratively with people at different stages of life.

Evidence-Based Support Online for Grief and Life Changes

Karen uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that include practical skills-based work to help manage stress and anxiety. These approaches focus on building coping strategies, improving communication, and developing routines that reduce overwhelm and support day-to-day functioning. Such techniques are useful for people dealing with persistent worry, relationship strain, or challenges to self-esteem.

She also provides focused support for grief, loss, and palliative care concerns, helping people process difficult emotions, navigate role changes, and find ways to cope during transitions. This style of support combines empathetic listening with strategies to help people adjust and make decisions that align with their values.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Karen works with each person to identify goals and preferences, and together they select or adapt techniques that fit the client’s circumstances. Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video calls, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging - making it easier to fit care into busy lives and access therapists from different locations. These options support continuity of care and make it simpler to maintain progress over time.