Karen Holtzberg has collaborated with Cook County, Chicago Police, and other local police and sheriff’s departments while being employed in community corrections for over 20 years. She appreciates first responder cultures and communities and has gained insight into the mental and physical tolls this line of work takes. Karen is a clinical therapist with the First Responders Wellness Center and is eager to assist in breaking down barriers that prevent first responders from prioritizing their own mental health or wellness. 

 

Karen has received professional training in various fields including counseling psychology, criminal justice, and social work. Her clinical background consists of working with adult court mandates who require interventions that promote change by challenging an individual’s core belief system. Her work with clients utilizes evidenced-based practices that includes risk assessments, motivational interviewing, psychoeducation, cognitive behavioral and trauma informed therapies and mindfulness. As a criminal justice social worker, Karen engages with clients to assess barriers that can hinder internal growth and resolve issues through coping and life skills development and case management. She has experience working with mood and personality disorders, partner and family violence, addictions, stress, relationships, conflict resolution, self-esteem, suicide, and grief. Currently, she continues to provide client, staff and student intern supervision while working in tandem with multiple community-based programs that provide services specifically for domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, anger management and parenting. Karen is resourceful and creative in building rapport, establishing a sense of trust, and fostering a therapeutic relationship that focuses on increasing a client’s intrinsic motivation to make changes that will support a more productive and healthier lifestyle. 

 

Karen graduated from Loyola University Chicago in 1996 with a Master’s in Social Work (MSW). She has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Illinois since 2004. Her enthusiasm to deliver meaningful therapy comes from her own commitment to utilize professional development opportunities that supports her own on-going learning in an ever-changing climate. Karen attends multiple clinical trainings yearly while also serving as a member of the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Illinois Probation and Court Services Association.