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    About Me - Dr. Karen Tantillo

    I am passionate about my professional work and clinical practice.

    I received a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work (DSW) degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice (2022), a Masters of Social Work (MSW) degree from NYU (New York University) (1989), and a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology from Fordham University (BS). My doctoral dissertation, “Undoing Aloneness in the COVID-19 Pandemic: How AEDP Clinicians Have Experienced the Shift to Telehealth and the Impact on the Therapeutic Relationship” can be found on the blog section of my website.

    My Credentials

    I am actively involved in ongoing consultation, supervision, and training to enhance my skills.

    I am licensed as a clinical social worker in all three states that I have practiced and resided in throughout my career including: Georgia (LCSW 004053), New York (LCSW-R 040257), and South Carolina (LISW-CP 12815). Although my primary practice is in Alpharetta, Georgia, I also practice telehealth in New York and South Carolina (with availability to offer some in-person sessions in all three states.)

    My Story

    I first started working in the mental health field over 25 years ago.

    Some of my first clinical experiences were in the psychiatry departments of large, urban, teaching-hospitals in New York City, including Jacobi Medical Center, Montefiore Hospital, and North Central Bronx Hospital. Advocating for my clients and identifying resources and community supports became one of my first social work passions.

    After a move to the southeast, I began many years of service in community mental health programs, most notably at the Child & Adolescent program of the Greenville Mental Health Center in South Carolina. I first transitioned into private practice in 1996 at Pettigru Therapy in Greenville, South Carolina, helmed by Gail Nagel, LCSW.

    With a growing family of my own and another relocation, I became a full-time parent for a number of years until returning to the field and building a clinical practice in the North Fulton area of Atlanta in 2012.

    My Values

    I strongly believe in working on my own professional growth as a doctoral level clinical social worker and clinician.

    I am a cisgender white female married to my life-partner who seeks to grow together and alongside me. We are the proud parents of three twenty-something adult children launching into their own careers and passions.

    In my spare time, I find fulfillment and joy in spending time and traveling with my family and close friends. I find meaning through the practice of mindfulness and spirituality. I also enjoy cuddling with my two tabby cats and my 15 year old dog, swimming, playing online chess, and writing non-fiction and fiction articles and stories.

    I continue to actively work on and address my own cultural competence and awareness, striving to be sensitive to diverse experiences of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality.  I respect that my office is on the grounds of land that once was occupied by Native Americans.

    Education & Experience

    Advanced Training and Certification

    • Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) – Certification in AEDP. Ongoing Individual and Group Consultation/Supervision with Jeanne Newhouse, NCPsyA, SueAnne Piliero, PhD, Judy Silberstein, LCSW, Kari Gleiser, PhD, Gail Woods, LCSW and the AEDP Institute Faculty as an Experiential Assistant and participating Research Team clinician. 2017- Present.
    • Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) – Externship & Core Training/Consultation with Michael Barnett, LPC and Alan Graham, PhD (2015 to 2017). Advanced & ongoing EFT Individual Consultation/Supervision – Stephen McDonnell, LCSW (NYCEFT) 2019- Present.
    • Internal Family Systems Introductory Training (IFS) – 2018.
    • Gottman Couples Therapy (Level 1 & 2) – 2015-2016.
    • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Training and Consultation (MBSR) through Atlanta Mindfulness Institute & Stephanie Swann, PhD – 2015-2019/ EastCoast Mindfulness MBSR course and training- Spring 2023.
    • Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) – Level 1 & 2 – 2015-2016.
    • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – 60-hours Intensively Trained by Dr. Michael Maslar, PsyD- Director of Mindfulness and Behavior Therapies at The Family Institute at Northwestern University – 2015-2016. 

    Affiliations

    • Tulane University Adjunct Faculty (Field Instruction MSW program)
    • AEDP Institute – Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy Institute- 2017 (www.aedpinstitute.org)
    • ICEEFT -The International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy- 2015 (www.iceeft.com)
    • Atlanta Center for Emotionally Focused Therapy (www.eftatlanta.com)
    • Georgia Society for Clinical Social WorkGSCSW 2007- (www.gscsw.org)
    • National Association of Social Workers- NASW Georgia Chapter– 2007 (www.naswdc.org)
    • AAPCSW (American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work) (https://www.aapcsw.org)
    • IEDTA (International Experiential Dynamic Therapy) ([email protected])
    • ISTSS (International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies) (https://istss.org)

    Education

    • University of  Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice Doctorate Clinical Social Work 2022 (DSW)
    • New York University (NYU) Masters of Clinical Social Work 1989 (MSW)
    • Fordham University Bachelors of Science Psychology 1987 (BS

    Testimonials for Dr. Tantillo

    “Karen is a true professional with incredible clinical skills. I use her as a referral source often because I truly believe in her abilities.”

    “Karen is an excellent, deeply attuned therapist. She gently leads her patients
    with her warm tone of voice and steady rhythm of speech. She organically creates a sense of safety. “

    “Dr. Karen Tantillo has a fantastic ability to combine her professional skills with gentle compassion for resolving personal difficulties and relationship challenges. I endorse Karen wholeheartedly.”

    “Karen is a warm, caring and empathetic therapist whom I trust and highly recommend for those who want to dive in to a deep emotional work.”

    Reach out to me today!

    I welcome you to reach out to me. Please complete the form below to find out more or to schedule an appointment time. I look forward to speaking together.