Karen Burns (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA). She received her MSW from UNC Chapel Hill in 2012, along with a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. Karen is certified in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International and is also a certified Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator. She is trained in the Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) framework.

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Karen brings over 15 years of experience supporting parents and families in research, school, and clinical settings, with a specialized focus in perinatal mental health for the past six years. She currently serves as Program Director for NC Maternal Mental Health MATTERS, a statewide perinatal psychiatry access program that provides training and clinical consultation to healthcare professionals working with pregnant and postpartum individuals and their families.

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In her clinical work, Karen’s approach is solution-focused and highly collaborative. She draws from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Behavioral Activation Therapy (BAT), Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). She specializes in helping clients manage anxiety and depression, ADHD, perfectionism, parenting struggles, and role transitions related to family and career. Karen is committed to helping caregivers create safe, validating environments for themselves and their families.

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Originally from central Florida, Karen has lived in North Carolina for over 20 years. She enjoys reading, being outdoors, and exploring zoos and aquariums with her son and her spouse.