What patients are saying
Overall rating
4.90
Average wait time
4.97
Bedside manner
4.89
“Karen’s professionalism and genuine care shone through in every session. Her dedication to creating a safe and encouraging environment made it very easy for me to communicate openly and address challenges effectively. I would strongly recommend Karen!”
Calvin K.July 13, 2025Video visit
“Karen is amazing! She’s really great at making sure I understand the full scope of what I’m feeling. Her DBT method is extremely helpful, but only if you yourself put in the extra work. I highly recommend Karen for a therapist, she’s fantastic.”
Victoria L.More than 1 year agoVideo visit
About Karen Kalliel
Focus areas
Adult Psychotherapy
EMDR Therapy
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Counseling
Anxiety
Mood Disorders
Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit
Depression
Panic Attack
Clientele seen
Adults (25-64)
Individuals
Treatment approaches
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Dialectical (DBT)
EMDR
Identity
Gender
FemaleEthnicity
Middle Eastern, White
Languages spoken
English
Getting to know Karen Kalliel
Providing Telehealth services in California and Illinois.
CA clients: Please note that I am out of network with Blue Shield IFP or Covered California (marketplace) programs. This should be indicated on your insurance card.
*After making an appointment, please expect a phone call within 24 hours.*
Karen Kalliel is a concerned and considerate psychotherapist based in Chicago, IL. She attended Loyola University Chicago, where she earned her master’s in social work.
Patients see Karen for a variety of reasons, including worry, depression, anxiety, and trauma. Karen enjoys giving back to her community and has participated in many volunteer activities, including serving as a medical advocate for sexual assault survivors at the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago.
Karen is devoted to ensuring the longevity of her patients’ health and developing long-lasting relationships with them. She takes her time to understand symptoms and provide correct diagnoses to ensure the continued health of all her patients.
Karen is trained in EMDR therapy as well as DBT and is currently working on ADHD certification.
What should a new client know about working with you?
I utilize a number of different types of therapy tailored to individual needs based on assessment and client preference and believe any treatment planning should be done in tandem with my clients.
What is your typical process for working with clients?
I spend the first session going over office policy and providing you with information about me and my experiences in the field and how they will relate to you. We then move on the initial intake form and history taking which moves at your pace as your comfort in this situation is of great importance. I then work with you on a treatment plan that matches your needs moving forward.
Is this doctor in your insurance network?
Enter your insurance carrier and plan
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In-network insurances
Karen Kalliel, LCSW, MSW has 150+ in-network plans.
Don’t see your insurance?
It’s common for mental health providers to be out-of-network. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network coverage, so you may get partially reimbursed. Learn more
Out-of-pocket fees and assistance
Initial session: $195 for 55 minutes
Ongoing session: $170 for 55 minutes
- Files your insurance claim: You pay the session fee upfront and the provider files the claim for you, so you can get reimbursed directly without worrying about the paperwork
- Charges post-reimbursement amount: This provider will only charge you for the amount you pay after you get reimbursed from your insurance plan, so you don’t need to pay the session fee upfront
More information on payments and coverage
Depending on the structure of your insurance, copays are to be paid at the time of your sessions. Deductibles and coinsurance are billed following claim submissions.
Please note that I do request a credit card to be kept on file prior to your first session.
Popular visit reasons
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Depression
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Panic Attack
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit
Self Esteem Issues
Therapy
Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Depression
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Panic Attack
Education and background
Practice names
Education and training
- Loyola University Chicago, Master's in Social Work
NPI number
1346488632
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.90
Wait time
4.97
Bedside manner
4.89
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
83 reviews
Most relevant
I enjoyed our first session and plan on staying with her for this journey.
November 6, 2025Initials hiddenVideo visit
Karen is great. I was worried about going to therapy for the first time but Karen has made me feel safe and comfortable!
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Karen is very insightful and observant. She's open to feedback and very invested in helping.
More than 1 year agoNicole J.Verified patientVideo visit
Karen’s professionalism and genuine care shone through in every session. Her dedication to creating a safe and encouraging environment made it very easy for me to communicate openly and address challenges effectively. I would strongly recommend Karen!
July 13, 2025Calvin K.Verified patientVideo visit
Karen is amazing! She’s really great at making sure I understand the full scope of what I’m feeling. Her DBT method is extremely helpful, but only if you yourself put in the extra work. I highly recommend Karen for a therapist, she’s fantastic.
More than 1 year agoVictoria L.Verified patientVideo visit
Karen is an amazing counselor! I was a little nervous starting counseling regularly again, but Karen has done an awesome job making me feel comfortable, heard, and it's been nice working together on next steps.
March 7, 2025Patricia L.Verified patientVideo visit
Karen has been excellent to work with so far! I have seen a number of therapists and have struggled to find a great provider through telehealth therapy in the past. Karen has been a breath of fresh air!! She makes me feel extremely comfortable and seen while being direct. Her sincerity can be felt through the
Scheduling was easy and although she is busy, she made sure the time we selected worked well and that I could be fully present for our appointments.
Karen is an empathetic and knowledgeable professional who values her patients.
March 5, 2024Annie D.Verified patientVideo visit
I’m new to therapy and Karen has made me feel very comfortable with the whole process. She’s helped me a lot in the relatively short time I’ve been seeing her already and I look forward to continuing to work with her. I definitely recommend!
March 4, 2024Alexandra B.Verified patientVideo visit
I have done therapy in the past but never virtually. I wasn't sure what to expect with a virtual therapy appointment but Karen has made it a very comfortable adjustment and setting. She also has tailored the sessions well for how I like to approach therapy, I am not always good at just freely speaking so she has been able to provide materials that will help guide me when talking things through in our sessions.
December 23, 2022Elizabeth A.Verified patientVideo visit
Karen is wonderful at what she does. As a first time therapy goer, I was very nervous and had no idea what to expect. Karen has already made me open up in ways I never have. She has allowed me to grasp a new understanding and perspective on things I've ignored or haven't fully chosen to accept for many years. As uncomfortable as certain conversations can get she still makes you feel comforted and allows you to talk through things, while also providing techniques and advice in order to find possible solutions when needed. I appreciate that she does not push me and allows me to go at my own pace when in session together. If you are a first time therapy seeker and having doubts, Karen makes this process incredibly comforting!
More than 1 year agoColleen D.Verified patient
Karen is amazing at what she does! I recently started speaking with her about a month ago and I feel I’ve already learned a lot about myself. Karen has helped me come to realizations I haven’t in my 5 years of therapy previous to working with her. She’s prescriptive when I need it, but also asks the right questions to guide me to my own conclusions/epiphanies. Overall I’m so happy with my choice to work with Karen!
February 23, 2022Emily E.Verified patientVideo visit
Karen is a wonderful therapist. She takes the time to really understand you and your personal needs and then gives tangible steps on how to shift them to positively change your mental health. Karen is personable and authentic I leave each session feeling empowered and having a better understanding of myself.
February 22, 2022Sydney B.Verified patientVideo visit
I’m very grateful to have found Karen as a therapist! I have been seeing her for some months now and have found her to be kind, non-judgmental, and thorough. She works hard to determine what your specific needs are and utilizes diverse approaches, such as DBT, EMDR, and talk therapy. Definitely recommend making an appointment with her if you get the chance!
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
I had never been to therapy prior to seeing Karen, but I did a lot of research on my own to find the best one for me, and also got a lot of advice from my friends beforehand on how they found therapists they liked. A lot of them mentioned that sometimes it takes seeing a few different therapists to really find someone you connect with and like.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have found Karen on my first try at therapy. After I sent her a new appt request via ZocDoc, she called me to learn more about my goals with therapy and to see if we'd be a good fit — I really appreciated this (especially as a therapy newb) because she helped set expectations and was really honest about her approach with her clients. I decided to book my first session with her because, even over the phone, I noticed how comfortable I was talking with her and felt that I really aligned with what she was telling me.
I've been doing therapy with her on a weekly basis since May remotely (I am based in CA and she is in Chicago) and can honestly say it's had a profound and positive impact on my life, to the point where I can't even imagine not doing sessions with her as part of my regular routine. She is kind, extremely approachable, comforting, will push you while being respectful of your limits, has a good sense of humor, and helps you uncover the core of why you're in therapy.
I love that she gives me homework and holds me accountable because it forces me to actively work through my issues. She also introduced me to EMDR which is helping me work through past trauma, and even though it can get heavy and uncomfortable, I am so happy that I am finally addressing these things and learning to work through it all.
November 2, 2021Joanna E.Verified patientVideo visit
Karen has been great to work with! I did a lot of research to find a therapist in my insurance network and stumbled upon Karen on Zocdoc. She luckily was accepting patients remotely over Covid. We live in different states, but I will continue to work with her remotely. She’s a very straight forward, no nonsense kind of person, which I definitely appreciate. She listens well, takes a lot of notes and is always prepared. She has been very helpful during a very difficult time in my life. I would highly recommend working with her!!
April 29, 2021Jaimie W.Verified patientVideo visit
I've had a few sessions with Karen so far and they've all exceeded my expectations. Karen is incredibly easy to talk to and has made me feel very comfortable. I'm looking forward to continuing my sessions with her.
February 10, 2021Maria P.Verified patientVideo visit
This is my first time ever attending therapy and Karen has been extremely helpful, as well as insightful by listening and really focusing on my goals. She has also been patient and understanding with me overall, I’m excited to continue working with her! Virtual visits can come with challenges, but I am starting to prefer virtual over in person after my experience continues with her. She’s awesome!
More than 1 year agoMolly B.Verified patientVideo visit
This is the first time I have gone to therapy, and I was super nervous. Karen has been great, she is very encouraging and that helps a lot. I think I have a long way to go, but Karen is easy to work with. I am grateful that I found her.
October 20, 2020Joyce P.Verified patientVideo visit
I have had three wonderful remote meetings with Karen so far, and I feel my treatment is off to a great start! Our sessions are substantive and we pack a lot in, including some at-home exercises. Our conversations feel very much tailored to my specific needs. I have worked with many therapists and so I feel confident when I say Karen is a great listener and has great instincts, and I look forward to continuing to work with her!
August 18, 2020Lane M.Verified patientVideo visit
I cannot thank Karen enough for being able to start seeing me during this incredible time we are living through. The quarantine as definitely taken an impact on my mental health and personal circumstances made it even worse - but setting something up as a new patient was honestly pretty easy and the tele-therapy has been so helpful in keeping me grounded as we go through this.
April 14, 2020Nicholas Q.Verified patient
After reading reviews about Karen Kalliel's practice on ZocDoc, I was impressed. I'd never been to a therapist before so I was intimidated by the whole process, but after reaching out I received a quick response and Karen made every easy. All the other reviews are spot on. Karen is straight forward, approachable, and experienced. Her main concern is the wellbeing of her patients. She is accessible and her help isn't limited to your sessions. I've run into complications and questions involving insurance and Karen has always helped me make informed decisions that effect my access to healthcare. Though Karen is my first therapist, I would recommend her to anyone.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
I’ve been seeing Karen for about a month at this point, and am glad to have found her. She is kind and direct, and made me feel like I was in good hands. I was also glad to find out that she utilizes EMDR as well as traditional talk therapy for those (like me) who can benefit from it.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Have been seeing Karen for about 3 months now and it's really made a difference! She's direct and doesn't just listen (which had been an issue for me with previous therapy experiences) - gives me real tools to effectively manage my life.
January 11, 2020Mikala H.Verified patient
Karen is my first therapist and my experience working with her has been very positive. I feel comfortable sharing my personal issues with her because she is an attentive listener, empathetic, and shows genuine interest in helping me achieve my personal goals. I appreciate her checking in with me to make sure our approach is working or if we need to try something new. I have recommended her to friends who are interested in seeing a therapist.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Karen has proven to be a great first therapist for me. She is caring and attentive and the whole process has been very natural. Obviously different personalities may mesh differently, certainly with something as personal as therapy, but I have not hesitated at all to recommend her to close friends if they inquire about how my therapy is going.
More than 1 year agoWilliam C.Verified patient
Karen has been my first therapist and she has taken the time to get to know me and what i am trying to accomplish. We have gone through different types of therapy in an attempt to find what works best. It has been an evolving process and not something rigid which has been great for someone that hasn’t been to therapy before and needed to know what works best. So far it has been an insightful process and i appreciate how we have gone about it. I highly recommend her to anyone new to therapy or anyone looking for a new therapist.
May 14, 2019Jeffrey D.Verified patient
I have been seeing Karen for about six months and it has been a wonderful experience. She has always made me feel comfortable, cared for, and understood- without coddling or sugar coating. I appreciate her insight and honesty each time we meet and am looking forward to continuing our sessions.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
I've been seeing Karen for a couple of months now and it's been really helpful. Before working with her, I had never met with a therapist before and I wasn't sure what to expect or how to begin looking. I did research based on reviews, location, and--frankly--availability and it worked out great. I went to her with a specific need at first, and I appreciate how she has helped me address that need while also exploring other benefits of therapy. Karen has a good memory and is empathetic and kind while still being direct.
I also really appreciate how flexible she is with scheduling and how easy it is to get to her office. She has two offices--one on the northside and one downtown--making it easy to switch between the two if needed.
January 10, 2019Kathryn E.Verified patient
Karen creates a comfortable atmosphere and is very easy to get along with. Karen listens thoughtfully and provides me with helpful insights. I feel that my time with Karen has been an overall positive experience and I highly recommend her to anyone looking for someone to talk to who will also listen to what you have to say.
January 11, 2019Katy S.Verified patient
Karen is phenomenal. I carefully researched providers for several weeks before deciding on Karen. She is attentive, empathetic, sympathetic and has a great memory. Karen is your personal cheerleader and will keep you focused on your goals. I am so happy to have found her. Her office is easy to get to. Street parking is available and there is a nice little french coffee shop on the first floor- but don't worry she has coffee and tea available in office as well.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Karen is awesome. She really knows what she is doing and has a great passion for helping people. I've been wanting to see a therapist for a while and with recent events in my life, I feel so fortunate that I was able to find her on my first try! She is very concise, thorough and knows exactly what questions to ask. Above all else she is a fabulous listener. She has been able to make me feel at ease and comfortable with her which can be really difficult with someone you don't know. I am looking forward to continuing my personal journey with her as we have already been setting obtainable, realistic goals. She has already been able to help me realize where some of my anxiety comes from and why I may be "stuck" and how I can get out of that. If you are considering Karen I urge you not to hesitate!
February 19, 2018Tasha S.Verified patient
Karen is clear, concise and deeply insightful. I already feel my sessions recalibrating the less-than-optimal mechanisms that I put in place for dealing with life. Highly recommended.
January 29, 2018Hali P.Verified patient
I've been seeing Karen for a few weeks now and so far it's been great experience. I appreciated her checking in with insurance for me prior to our first appointment. This made the whole process of going to see her seem stress free from the beginning. She's been extremely easy to get into contact with and is always willing to work around my work schedule—it can definitely be hard to find someone who can see at you 6:00pm.
As far as appointments go, her policy of seeing her once a week has been helpful for me to build a relationship with her and make progress faster. Her realistic approach to therapy is refreshing. If she knows you don't like doing something, she'll find an alternative approach for you. Karen is extremely straight forward, which may not be good fit for everyone, but it works well for me. I look forward to our sessions knowing that I can talk about my week and also address more long term issues.
More than 1 year agoHailey M.Verified patient
Karen is great! I feel that I can be open and honest without being judged. I am so happy to get her insight because I am ready to make changes. I appreciate that Karen is so down to earth, funny and truly easy to talk to. The best part is the sense of relief that I have felt at the end of our sessions. She is helping me realize that being honest with myself does not have to be scary. I absolutely plan to continue to see Karen.
April 7, 2017Rakeeta H.Verified patient
I've been seeing Karen for a couple months now and have seen a change in how I handle my anxiety even in that short time. Karen always provides thoughtful insight while still maintaining that I make the ultimate decision. She has also checked in multiple times to ensure that I am confident about the direction we are moving in. I personally appreciate Karen's direct style and have found myself feeling less anxious with each meeting. I feel that Karen is agile when discussing potential different techniques and implementation. She has been flexible with scheduling and is very easy to reach. I have very much enjoyed and appreciated this relationship and am eager to continue my personal growth and development.
March 9, 2017Lauren L.Verified patient
Karen is great. I've been seeing her for around 5 months now and she has really helped with my anxiety. She has also been available for calls/texts at difficult moments and has been flexible with scheduling. She is my first long term therapist and takes a no-nonsense, direct approach to issues I have not been able to address myself. She is thoughtful and pushes me to address not only my concerns but my growth as well.
January 5, 2017Jasmine D.Verified patient
So far I have been seeing Karen for about 6 weeks, and I have made more progress than I thought possible. She is no nonsense, but still comforting and very easy to talk to. I highly suggest seeing her.
November 30, 2016Catarina D.Verified patient
Disclaimer: I'm sure Karen does great work! She was very nice, minimally judgey, and very easy to talk to, so if the rest of this review doesn't apply to you maybe you should give her a try!
However I had a very unfortunate experience with Karen, and I hope leaving this review can save others from the same experience. So I went to my first appointment, we went through all the intake procedures, went through my entire medical history and talked through the history of all my deep, personal issues (I'm sure many of you understand how mentally draining that can be.. )
So here is the problem: At no point-- not on her website, not when I spoke with her on the phone, not when we emailed back and forth, not while we went through all the intake paper work, and not in the hour we discussed all my past issues-- did Karen feel the need to mention that the ONLY type of treatment she offers is a strict ONCE A WEEK session.That was never what I was interested in and I was shocked that she would drop that bombshell right at the end.. I felt completely violated sharing so much personal info with a stranger only to realize at the very last second it was all for nothing. I was looking for a more flexible situation like I had with my last therapist.. I didn't see anything online or in my conversations with her that would point to a complete lack of flexibility. So while this was probably just a misunderstanding between the two of us, it was very troubling for me.. Unless you are looking to see someone on a strict weekly basis, please do not make the same mistake I did!!
December 2, 2016Nicole Z.Verified patient
Karen is fantastic! She is very supportive and always provides a new perspective and practical guidance. I would definitely recommend her!
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
I originally saw Karen because of a messy breakup I was going through - not only was she amazing in terms of helping me work my way through the complicated emotions that came out of that, but she's been incredibly helpful and instructive in helping me move forward in general. She's a great listener, and helps you guide your appointments so you're really addressing what you need. I've never had a therapist before, and now my bar is set pretty high.
June 20, 2016Chris G.Verified patient
I'm very lucky to have found Karen. I've been living in Chicago for three years and had not found a therapist to match the one I had in Connecticut before I moved. Karen takes the time to get to know you, listens thoughtfully, and remembers details from stories you've shared that show she cares about you as a person and about what you've said in your sessions.
More than 1 year agoEleni C.Verified patient
Karen has a very direct approach with her therapy. She is very no nonsense but in a great and effective way. It is easy to open up to her and she gives an honest and realistic viewpoint. I have been seeing Karen now for a few months and I believe that her therapy is greatly affecting me in a very positive way.
May 21, 2016Nicole B.Verified patient
I appreciate Karen and her approach to treatment. She is a great listening ear, and she also provides real feedback and concrete suggestions to help reach therapeutic goals. She allows the client to guide his/her treatment, and regularly checks in to make sure her approach is proving beneficial. I enjoy working with Karen.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
I've been seeing Karen for a month now and I can't recommend her enough. She is professional, helpful and understanding. We've started setting small goals for myself, and I can tell I'm already on a much better path. I had never been to therapy before so my anxiety was very high during my first appointment. But, just after a few minutes, Karen made me feel comfortable and that I was making the best decision for myself by being there.
March 9, 2016Samantha S.Verified patient
Karen is a skillful therapist who is flexible and organized. She is affirming of her clients while pushing them to re-examine their perspectives. If you are looking for a therapist who will give practical advice, be a supportive sounding board and provide you with new strategies to maintain your mental health, Karen is the therapist for you.
January 8, 2016Ruth O.Verified patient
Karen is a very skilled therapist. She has helped me work through my depression and anxiety with specific goal-setting and proactive tactics. Her empathetic nature makes it easy to talk to her, yet her no-nonsense attitude ensures you are still being honest with yourself. I've had a great experience with her for five years, and I would absolutely recommend her to anybody looking to understand their emotions and function more efficiently in their lives.
More than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Karen is incredibly insightful & easy to communicate with. she is flexible in working with your schedule and payscale. Her being able to work via skype makes her easily accesible @ all times. I have found myself feeling less anxious after every session.
More than 1 year agoSN
I recently just started to see Karen.
I felt comfortable with her immediately, and her therapy style.
I am 53 year old man and through the years have seen about 4 or 5 therapists and in only two visits i sense that our relationship will be productive and beneficial for me. I only two visits I can say that she is one of the best yet. I would highly recommend her if your looking for a therapist. She is warm, friendly, intuitive, and straight forward approach, which I personally appreciate.
More than 1 year agoMichael V.Verified patient
Karen is very professional and has really helped me build healthier coping skills and set boundaries. She is easy to open up and really helps challenge some of my thoughts.
More than 1 year agoMS
I've been working with Karen for more than five years now, and have consistently found her to be helpful, empathetic, professional, supportive, and fun. Her style is direct and no nonsense, with none of the cloying "and how does that make you feel?" stereotypes we see from therapists in movies. Instead, Karen manages to be friendly and genuine while maintaining the professional boundaries therapists are required to employ. I have referred more than one friend to her over the years. The office is comfortable and easily accessible off the brown line and the Damen bus. Payment is easy and Karen works with various insurance companies well to make sure your needs are being met. Most of all, once you are a patient of Karen's she considers you to be her responsibility and she will do whatever she can to make sure you are continually working towards the goals you've set for yourself in therapy. She's affected my life in the most positive ways-- do yourself a favor and set up an appointment without hesitation.
October 9, 2015Allison T.Verified patient
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How soon can I make an appointment with Karen Kalliel?
Generally, Karen Kalliel has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Karen Kalliel's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Is Karen Kalliel accepting new patients?
Karen Kalliel generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Karen Kalliel's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.
Does Karen Kalliel accept my insurance?
Choose your insurance plan to verify if Karen Kalliel is in-network.
Can I make an appointment with Karen Kalliel online?
Yes, you can make an appointment online with Karen Kalliel using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.
What practice does Karen Kalliel work with?
Karen Kalliel works with Karen Kalliel.
What are common reasons for patients to see Karen Kalliel?
Karen Kalliel frequently sees patients for Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Depression, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Therapy. You can see other visit reasons for Karen Kalliel on their profile.
What languages does Karen Kalliel speak?
Karen Kalliel speaks English.
How do patients rate Karen Kalliel in reviews?
83 patients have reviewed Karen Kalliel. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.9/5. They have a 4.89/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.97/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.