Karen Appell, M.Ed., LPC
Karen Appell is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), practicing under the supervision of Karen Conkey, LPCC-S. Holding an additional license in School Counseling, she comes from a background of providing emotional, social, and educational support to elementary-aged / pre-adolescent children and their families in the public-school setting. Though most of her counseling experience has consisted of working with young children and their families, Karen’s recent transition into clinical mental health counseling has sparked a passion for counseling adults in various stages of their lives. She recognizes that, regardless of age, we all have emotional and social needs that must be met in order for us to heal, grow, and succeed.
Karen received her Master of Education in School Counseling from Kent State University and completed her Post Master’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at John Carroll University. Her therapeutic approach is emotion-focused, humanistic, and grounded in Attachment Theory, often utilizing developmentally appropriate CBT and DBT interventions. Treatment plans are created collaboratively with clients and are driven by each client’s individual situation and needs. Karen believes that her ability to build a strong therapeutic relationship…one in which her clients feel safe, valued, and accepted…is her greatest strength. She believes that the counseling environment should feel like a safe haven for clients, while promoting exploration, catharsis, healing, and growth. She has worked with clients that present with many different social, emotional, and mental health concerns such as: anxiety, depression, mood and adjustment difficulties, emotional dysregulation, relationship difficulties, trauma, and grief/loss.
Favorite Quote
“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.” ― Fred Rogers
Contact
Position:
Elementary Aged/Pre-Adolescent Children and Family Therapist
Address:
8224 Mentor Ave. Suite 208
Mentor Ohio 44060
Email:
kappell@behavioralwellnessgroup.com
Phone:
440-392-2222 EXT 868
Fax:
440-565-2349
Testimonials/Reviews
Testimonial Disclosure Statement: Testimonials herein are unsolicited, anonymous and are received after care has been received in an attempt to assure healthy therapy relationships and confidentiality.
Articles
Navigating Tough Conversations During the Holidays
The holiday season often brings families and friends together, creating opportunities for connection and joyful celebrations. However, these gatherings can also surface sensitive topics and tough conversations. It is important to learn strategies for navigating these tough conversations with family and friends while fostering positive interactions and preserving relationships. Common Tough Topics • Political Disagreements: Political discussions can become heated, especially in a polarized climate, especially with the recent presidential election. • Personal Life Choices: Decisions related to relationships, career…
Managing Anger
Anger or irritability are emotions that can be present throughout your day. Some of thethings that may cause your anger are stress, unfair treatment or feeling attacked. BreneBrown defines anger as, “an emotion that we feel when something gets in the way of adesired outcome or when we believe there’s a violation of the way things should be.“Atlas of the Heart” (Brown,2021) Below are some options of ways to cope through youranger to manage it when or before it occurs:…
Understanding Teenage Mental Health: Navigating Social Pressures
Navigating through the maze of adolescence can be both exhilarating and daunting for teenagers. It’s a phase marked by rapid physical, emotional, and social changes, where the desire to fit in and be accepted often feels overwhelming. One of the most significant challenges teenagers face during this time is social pressure and this often leads to social anxiety. Social pressure manifests in various forms—peer influence, societal norms, academic expectations, and idealized images on social media. These pressures can create a…
Boundaries… What are those?
Boundaries… What are those? Understanding Boundaries Boundaries play a pivotal role in maintaining our overall well-being and fostering healthy relationships. Drawing insights from Nedra Glover Tawwab, a licensed therapist and boundary expert, let’s delve into what boundaries are, how they manifest in our lives, strategies for implementing them, and why they can be challenging. Boundaries are limits we set to protect our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. According to Nedra Glover Tawwab, boundaries can manifest in various forms: Physical Boundaries:…