Kari Fager , LCSW

Kari Fager is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), which means she has advanced training to provide clinical mental health care and support. She approaches each person with compassion, aiming to meet them where they are and to unpack the challenges that feel overwhelming - then work toward new or reimagined paths forward.

Her practice often centers on helping people navigate trauma, depression, anxiety, chronic stress, and difficult life circumstances. She draws on an empathic, strengths-based, and eclectic framework, adapting methods to what feels most useful for each individual. Clients may also choose faith-based counseling if they prefer that perspective integrated into their work.

Fager earned her Master’s in Social Work from Dominican University and is trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Her background includes experience in both clinical and community-based settings and work in the United States as well as internationally, which informs her practical approach to care.

When she is not seeing clients, she enjoys spending time with family outdoors and is often working on convincing her labradoodle Norah to become a therapy dog.

Therapeutic approaches and how they translate to online care

Kari Fager uses evidence-informed methods that adapt well to remote work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviors to improve mood and daily functioning. It is commonly used for anxiety, depression, stress, and coping with life changes and can be taught effectively through conversation and exercises during sessions.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma-focused method that helps people process distressing memories and reduce their emotional intensity. In a remote setting, EMDR techniques can be guided by the therapist while the client follows structured bilateral stimulation and present-moment processing.

Finding the best approach is part of the therapeutic process. Kari will collaborate with each person to assess needs, goals, and preferences and recommend or combine methods that feel like the best fit. This collaborative process helps tailor care to what works for the individual.

Online therapy offers flexibility in scheduling and format - clients can choose video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit their daily life. These options make it easier to access licensed professionals and keep continuity of care when in-person visits are difficult, while supporting consistent progress toward treatment goals.