Karen Olson, LCSW, CA | Psychotherapist

What patients are saying

Overall rating

4.86

Average wait time

5.00

Bedside manner

4.50

“Karen continues to be a great therapist for us. She is gentle yet strong. She is nuanced and skilled in her craft. She has helped our relationship and has guided us to a refreshed and happier direction.”

Less than 1 month ago

“Karen has been a rock for me as I navigate many of life‚Äôs problems and try to sort out my feelings. She is a great listener and always provides just the right amount of feedback to change some habits. I am new to therapy and was very resistant to getting help. Having someone to listen to me, without judgement, and just be there for me has made the world of difference to my mental health.”

Less than 1 month ago

About Karen Olson

Focus areas

Anger Management

Depression

Anxiety

Mood Disorders

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Relationship Counseling

Clientele seen

Young adults (18-24)

Couples

Adults (25-64)

Families

Individuals

Treatment approaches

Eclectic

Motivational Interviewing

Family Systems

Narrative

Gottman Method

Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)

Identity

Gender

Female

Ethnicity

White

Languages spoken

English

Getting to know Karen Olson

Hi there, I'm Karen! I moved to Palm Springs from northern California in 2016. Before that, I managed a nonprofit providing services to homeless people. I have also worked in an inpatient mental health facility and a pain clinic. My approach is direct and frank, and I enjoy helping individuals and couples identify their strengths and overcome challenges. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, the warm desert weather, the pool, and my poodle Murphy. My approach I have been a social worker for over 20 years, with a strength-based and solution-focused approach. I take an eclectic approach that includes various narrative and motivational interviewing techniques. My focus My ideal client is amenable to my direct style and as invested as I am in achieving their goals. I appreciate feedback from clients on how they are doing and how our sessions are progressing. My communication style I am direct and honest. I enjoy working with clients who take my many suggestions and ideas and distill them into a strategy that is individualized and appropriate. When I offer ideas, the client needs to be able to say, "Wow, what a great idea, I'll try it," or "That's the stupidest thing I ever heard-what else have you got?" My journey to therapy In the late 1990s, I was living in a very rural community working with AIDS patients. I was a grassroots social worker but realized I needed more experience and education to make a difference. Although it was a 70-mile trip, partly on dirt roads, and I was a single parent working full-time, I started at our local community college. Two years later, with an AA degree, I moved 40 miles north to attend the local university, earned my BSW, and began managing the local homeless shelter. For three years, I made the 600-mile round trip once a month to Sacramento to participate in the MSW program at California State University, Sacramento, since it was not available locally.

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Popular visit reasons

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Depression

Mood Swings

Pre-Move In Couples Counseling

Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD)

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit

Therapy

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

Depression

Mood Swings

Pre-Move In Couples Counseling

Education and background

Practice names

Rula Health - L.A. North

Education and training

California State University, Sacramento, Master's in Social Work

NPI number

1114237997

Patient reviews

All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.

Overall rating

4.86

Wait time

5.00

Bedside manner

4.50

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

21 reviews

Most relevant

I like Karen. She is easy to talk to and seems to understand me. I like her positive reinforcement and direct communication.

More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner

Karen, is just what our relationship needed. Someone who was direct, and wanted only the best for us.

More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner

Outstanding therapist!

Less than 1 month agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner

Karen continues to be a great therapist for us. She is gentle yet strong. She is nuanced and skilled in her craft. She has helped our relationship and has guided us to a refreshed and happier direction.

Less than 1 month agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner

Karen has been a rock for me as I navigate many of life‚Äôs problems and try to sort out my feelings. She is a great listener and always provides just the right amount of feedback to change some habits. I am new to therapy and was very resistant to getting help. Having someone to listen to me, without judgement, and just be there for me has made the world of difference to my mental health.

Less than 1 month agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner

Karen is a great therapist. We have meaningful conversations about what is going on in my life, and she helps me set goals. Karen helps me stay on track and gives me tools to deal with stressful life experiences.

Less than 1 month agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner

More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenVideo visit

August 25, 2023Nancy B.Verified patientVideo visit

More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner

Frequently asked questions

How soon can I make an appointment with Karen Olson?

Generally, Karen Olson has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Karen Olson's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.

Is Karen Olson accepting new patients?

Karen Olson generally accepts new patients on Zocdoc. You can see Karen Olson's earliest availability on Zocdoc and schedule an appointment online.

Does Karen Olson accept my insurance?

Choose your insurance plan to verify if Karen Olson is in-network.

Can I make an appointment with Karen Olson online?

Yes, you can make an appointment online with Karen Olson using Zocdoc. It’s simple, secure, and free.

What practice does Karen Olson work with?

Karen Olson works with Rula Health - L.A. North.

What are common reasons for patients to see Karen Olson?

Karen Olson 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 Olson on their profile.

What languages does Karen Olson speak?

Karen Olson speaks English.

How do patients rate Karen Olson in reviews?

21 patients have reviewed Karen Olson. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.86/5. They have a 4.5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 5/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.