“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 Tantillo, DSW, LCSW
I am a cisgender white female, born and raised in the Bronx, New York. I received my Masters of Social Work from New York University, an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Fordham University in the Bronx, and have just completed a Doctorate in Clinical Social Work degree from the University of Pennsylvania, School of Social Policy and Practice (DSW 2022). 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.
I first started working in the field of mental health over 25 years ago. Some of my first clinical experiences were in the psychiatry departments of large teaching-hospitals in the Bronx, New York, including North Central Bronx, Jacobi Medical Center, and Montefiore Hospital. Identifying resources and community support for my clients in an urban metropolitan area 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 Greenville Mental Health Center, then 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 starting a new practice in the North Fulton area of Atlanta in 2012.
I strongly believe in working on my own professional and personal growth as a clinical social worker and psychotherapist. I am married to my life-partner who seeks to grow together and alongside me, and we are the proud parents of three young adult children. In my spare time, I find fulfillment and joy in spending time with my family, close friends and finding meaning through the practice of mindfulness. I continue to work on and address my own cultural competence and awareness. I respect that my office is on the grounds of land that once was occupied by Native Americans.
ADVANCED TRAINING
- *Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) – Certified AEDP Therapist. Individual and Group Consultation/Supervision with Jeanne Newhouse, NCPsyA & SueAnne Piliero, PhD- Fall 2017- present. (Completed Immersion with Diana Fosha, PhD 2017 and Essential Skills 1 & 2, 2017-2018 (NYC). Core Training with Jeanne Newhouse, NCPsyA 2019. Advanced Training with Diana Fosha, PhD and AEDP Institute Faculty (Magnificent 9 + 1 course ending Spring 2022). Ongoing Experiential Assistant.
- Internal Family Systems Introductory Training (IFS) – 2018
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Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) – Externship & Core Training-2015; Advanced & ongoing group and Individual consultation – Stephen McDonnell, LCSW
- Gottman Couples Therapy (Level 1 & 2) – 2015
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Training and Consultation (MBSR) through Atlanta Mindfulness Institute/Stephanie Swann, PhD – 2015-2019
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR) – Level 1 & 2- 2015
- 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
AFFILIATIONS:
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 – 2015 (https://www.eftatlanta.com)
Georgia Society for Clinical Social Work- 2007- (www.gscsw.org)
National Association of Social Workers- Georgia Chapter- 2007 (www.naswdc.org)
