KAREN M. KEARNEY
Shaker Heights
Summary
Dynamic and compassionate clinical therapist with expertise in trauma-informed care and crisis intervention. Demonstrated success in improving client outcomes through solution-focused and client-centered therapy. Strong commitment to cultural humility and ethical standards while promoting teamwork within multidisciplinary settings.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
CLINICAL THERAPIST & ADVOCACY COORDINATOR
Wild Hope Therapy
Cleveland
12.2022 - Current
- Provide trauma-informed individual psychotherapy to adults via in-person and telehealth modalities
- Conduct comprehensive biopsychosocial and diagnostic assessments with collaborative, goal-focused treatment planning
- Adapt treatment approach to varying authorization limits and care models, supporting progress and appropriate referral when indicated
- Support clients navigating acute stress, trauma, grief, and major life transitions, including perinatal and parenting transitions impacting interpersonal and professional functioning
- Perform suicide risk assessments, safety planning, and crisis intervention as clinically indicated
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary providers and referral partners to ensure continuity of care
- Serve as Advocacy Coordinator for the practice, supporting systems-level advocacy, clinician education, and collaborative community engagement initiatives
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland
08.2021 - Current
- Provide instruction, professional coaching, and evaluation to graduate-level MSW students, emphasizing assessment, professional judgment, and ethical decision-making
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary faculty teams to support consistent standards, documentation, and both student-centered and client-centered outcomes
- Facilitate structured, time-limited conversations around stress, trauma, ethics, and workplace dynamics
- Courses taught include: SASS 369: Community Organizing and Social Networking in the 21st Century, SASS 503: Foundations of Social Welfare Policy, SASS 514: Mental Health Policy, Practice, and Service Delivery
CLINICAL THERAPIST, MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH
OhioGuidestone
Cleveland
08.2021 - 12.2022
- Performed rapid assessment and brief intervention for adults experiencing acute stress, crisis, and instability in community settings
- Provided in-home and telehealth services, adapting interventions in real time amid changing client availability and needs
- Applied evidence-based, short-term approaches (CBT, DBT skills, motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy) to support stabilization and problem-solving
- Coordinated care and connected clients to appropriate ongoing supports across clinical and community systems
NORTHEAST OHIO HUB DIRECTOR
Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC)
Cleveland
03.2017 - 07.2021
- Led regional behavioral health initiatives across seven counties, coordinating efforts among diverse organizations and systems
- Built consensus among large, multidisciplinary stakeholder groups to align priorities, problem-solve barriers, and advance shared goals
- Developed written analyses and briefing materials to support informed decision-making across policy, funding, and service systems
- Represented behavioral health perspectives within complex, multi-sector environments, navigating competing needs and organizational constraints
Education
Master of Science - Social Administration
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland05-2017
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Madison, WI12-2009
Skills
- EAP counseling and crisis intervention
- Solution-focused therapy (SST, SBIRT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Trauma-informed interventions (EMDR, CPT)
- Telehealth service delivery
- Biopsychosocial assessment
- Care coordination and referrals
- Cultural humility and equity
- Ethical compliance
- Team collaboration
- Problem solving
- Psychoeducation
Supplemental Clinical Training
- Crisis Specialist Training - American Association of Suicidology/American Psychological Association
- Single-Session/Walk-in Therapy (SST) - American Psychological Association
- Perinatal Mental Health: Components of Care and Advanced Psychotherapy - Postpartum Support International
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) - Institute for Creative Mindfulness
Certification
• Licensed Independent Social Worker with Training Supervision Designation (LISW-S), Ohio, I.2406094
• Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International
• Perinatal Mental Health Certified (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International
Earlier Experience
Includes roles in crisis/emergency services program management, community research, criminal justice research, nonprofit leadership, and AmeriCorps service (details available upon request).
Timeline
CLINICAL THERAPIST & ADVOCACY COORDINATOR
Wild Hope Therapy
12.2022 - Current
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTOR
Case Western Reserve University
08.2021 - Current
CLINICAL THERAPIST, MATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH
OhioGuidestone
08.2021 - 12.2022
NORTHEAST OHIO HUB DIRECTOR
Mental Health & Addiction Advocacy Coalition (MHAC)
03.2017 - 07.2021
Master of Science - Social Administration
Case Western Reserve University
Bachelor of Arts - History
University of Wisconsin–Madison