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Karen J. Osterle

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, MSSA, LICSW
 therapist: Karen J. Osterle,
In-Person in Washington, DC 20036
Online in Multiple States Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Virginia, Washington, D.C.
I serve individuals and couples in the Dupont Circle and Downtown Washington, DC, area, including the locally-based international community, helping people to find and/or reconnect with what gives life meaning and fulfillment.

Client Focus

Session Format: Couple, Individual sessions.
Age Specialty: Adult, Senior
Languages: All psychotherapy and couples therapy sessions are conducted in English.

Treatment Approach

  • Existential / Humanistic Therapy Encourages people to explore meaning, freedom, and authenticity in their lives. It focuses on personal growth and living in alignment with one’s values.
  • Integrative Therapy Combines techniques from multiple approaches into a customized plan. It adapts to each client’s unique situation and needs.
  • Psychodynamic Therapy Explores unconscious thoughts and patterns that influence current behavior. It builds insight into how the past impacts the present.
  • Relational Psychotherapy Emphasizes the healing power of the therapist-client relationship. It uses trust and safety as a foundation for change.
  • Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) Focuses on solutions and future goals rather than past problems. It is practical, short-term, and goal-driven.
Approach Description: I help couples to restore intimacy (or to part amicably, if need be) by teaching effective conflict resolution skills. With individuals, I help you to figure who it is you're trying to become in this lifetime and help to remove the obstacles. (Life is short, so let's get to it!)

Fees & Insurance

Fees
  • Average Session Fee $220 (individuals) and $240 (couples) --- All are 50-min sessions (with fee prorated for 60- or 75-min sessions).
Insurance
  • Out of Network
  • I am no longer on any insurance panels. I will give you an invoice ("superbill") with all the necessary information to submit to your insurance company for partial reimbursement of my services. Please contact me if you have any questions about how this typically works, and what language would be helpful for you to research this for your particular insurance plan.

Education & Credentials

Karen J. Osterle MSSA, LICSW
  • Female
  • License # LC303109
  • Licensed in DC, MD, VA, MN & FL (telehealth)
  • Practicing Since 2001
Education: Washington School of Psychiatry 2000-present, Certified and Master Grief Therapist, Case Western Reserve University (Master's), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign--including a junior year abroad program at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (Bachelor's), and lots and lots of travel.

Karen J. Osterle Practice Details

Therapy Sessions
  • Available In-Person in Washington, DC 20036
  • Available Online for residents of Multiple States Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, Virginia, Washington, D.C.
  • Online Therapy Details: Any online therapy is conducted using Zoom Pro for Healthcare, with end-to-end encryption enabled and with all AI features turned OFF.
Karen J. Osterle Practice Description
Most people feel ambivalent about psychotherapy. It makes sense to try to get support from friends and family and to read some of the more interesting self-help books and web articles out there first. A good therapist will help when those prove to be not quite enough.--Therapy is not meant to be merely interesting; it should provide a different experience, helping you to find new endings to the same old stories and enduring patterns that keep you from being and doing all that you can. It should be supportive always, but also challenging in helpful ways.

Practice Overview

1350 Connecticut Avenue Northwest
Available both in-person and online
25 Years Experience
Couple, Individual

Driving Directions

My office is between Dupont Circle and downtown DC. There is limited street parking nearby and several parking garages on 19th Street and Connecticut Avenue. The best way to arrive for the first session is by Metro, taxi/Uber/Lyft/scooter (safely, of course), or on foot.

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