Karen Gano , MD, LCSW-C, LCSW, CSW

"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin

Karen Gano brings 33 years of clinical counseling experience to her work, combining medical and social work perspectives to support people navigating major life changes. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh and maintains professional credentials that include MD, LCSW-C, LCSW, and CSW. MD refers to Doctor of Medicine, and the LCSW-C, LCSW, and CSW designations are licensed social work credentials that reflect advanced clinical training in social work.

Her practice centers on what she calls Empowerment Counseling, using a motivational interviewing style alongside client-centered, solution-focused, mindfulness, compassion-focused, and strength-based techniques. This blend is applied in a goal-oriented, holistic way to help clients improve outlook, build coping skills, and pursue meaningful change. She often works with women experiencing life transitions such as separation, divorce, career shifts, relocation, empty nest, and illness, and she also provides support for healthcare workers drawing on extensive experience as a medical social worker.

Throughout a career that has included trauma work, emergency medicine, critical care, oncology, palliative care, and domestic abuse services, she has focused on helping people expand their support networks, increase self-awareness and self-esteem, and move from surviving toward thriving. Her professional motto is "Self-Care + Time = Healing," and her approach emphasizes practical tools and compassionate guidance for rebuilding strength and purpose.

Personalized Approaches for Online Therapeutic Care

Karen Gano integrates client-centered therapy, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness therapy into online work to meet different needs. Client-centered therapy focuses on creating a respectful, nonjudgmental space where the client leads the pace and priorities of change, which can help with relationship, self-esteem, and life-transition concerns. Motivational interviewing uses collaborative, goal-focused conversations to strengthen a person’s own motivation for change and is often helpful for coping with addictions, ambivalence about change, and building momentum toward new goals. Mindfulness therapy teaches practical awareness and grounding strategies to reduce stress and manage anxiety, trauma responses, and everyday overwhelm.

Finding the right mix of approaches is part of the therapeutic process. Karen works collaboratively with each person to identify which strategies best match their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the focus over time as progress unfolds.

Online therapy with Karen is offered through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to provide flexibility for different schedules and comfort levels. These options allow people to engage in consistent care from home or during busy weeks, making it easier to maintain momentum and integrate new skills into daily life.