Karina Fernandez, LCSW

Karina Fernandez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 16 years of professional experience helping people navigate difficult life transitions and recover from trauma. She earned her Master of Social Work from Loma Linda University in San Bernardino, California, and has practiced across a variety of clinical settings focused on mental health care.

She has supported individuals living with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health concerns, and has particular experience working with survivors of violent crime, including sexual assault, robbery and assault, domestic violence, and homicide survivors. Karina also brings comprehensive expertise in complex grief and loss and in addressing the emotional impacts that follow traumatic events.

Karina integrates evidence-based methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and mindfulness alongside client-centered approaches tailored to each person. She is EMDR certified to work with complex trauma, and she draws on an empowerment model to help clients recognize and build on strengths they already possess. Karina frames her role as a guide who supports clients in discovering resilience and moving toward healing.

Based in Tennessee, she provides care in both English and Spanish and works with people confronting issues including stress, self-esteem, addictions, relationship and family difficulties, sleep problems, parenting challenges, compassion fatigue, and coping with life changes.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Care

Karina Fernandez uses several evidence-informed approaches to tailor care to each person’s needs. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a supportive, nonjudgmental relationship in which the therapist follows the client's perspective and priorities - this approach helps people feel heard and empowered as they work toward goals. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) involves identifying unhelpful thought and behavior patterns and developing practical skills to change them - it is useful for anxiety, depression, stress, and many day-to-day difficulties. Karina is also EMDR certified, a therapy that uses guided eye movements and focused processing to help people work through intense or complex trauma when traditional talk therapy alone has been insufficient.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Karina collaborates with each person to determine which methods fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences. She adapts techniques over time and invites client input to shape an individualized plan.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to accommodate different schedules and comfort levels. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, access support from home or work, and choose the format that best supports progress with licensed professionals and therapists.