KAREN SAMANI | LISW, LCSW, SAP
Individual Counseling & Therapy and Online Counseling & Therapy | Columbia, MO
My name is Karen Samani. I’m a Clinical Therapist with The Counseling
Hub in Columbia, Missouri, and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Missouri.
I might be a good fit if you…
have a reservation about therapy or have had previous therapy with a lack of success
seek a lot of engagement in the sessions, enjoy lots of back and forth, enjoy or can appreciate exploring, and do not want a therapist who simply sits and listens
have attempted your own solutions and are now looking for more creative or out of the box ideas to approach a problem
are open to a provider that believes evidence-based practice to improve therapeutic outcomes may require homework
are actively exploring identity, especially surrounding a later-in-life Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis
are looking for how to set boundaries in an effective, comfortable way
looking to improve internal validations and self-talk, especially when you haven’t been taught this in the past
are dealing or coping with co-occurring medical concerns/conditions
struggling with parental stressors, especially related to ASD children
are looking for strategic support for making a major life change or transition
are a "logical thinker” who doesn't buy into or respond to over the top affirmative language
appreciate language flexibility (yes, you can curse in session) and using slang terms or ideas
recovering from narcissist, emotionally unstable, or emotionally immature parent(s) or parental figure(s)
are actively looking for support from your therapist, but also need and want to be redirected on occasion with challenges to perceptions or thinking
are an emergency medical worker and want to work with a therapist who has experience working with a county sheriff's office mental health program to provide psychoeducation, trauma support, EAP support, and cultural understanding related to work
pronouns: she/her
These are common reasons people come into counseling. These are the reasons people seek help.
More often than not, folks still feel some sort of shame in reaching out. One of the reasons Tara founded The Counseling Hub was to diminish that sense of shame, to normalize the fact that all people struggle in some way during their lives, and to empower people to grow and heal in their own unique way.
The Counseling Hub is all about connecting, healing, and growing.
You’ll probably hear me say, "a hammer doesn't work on a screw." What I mean is this: if you are getting what you deserve out of your sessions, then you are leaving with an arsenal of skills and solutions, as well as the confidence to use them. My role is to provide more than a narrative reprise of the skills taught in “how to” mental health reels on social media, and it’s to provide you with more than “give yourself a butterfly hug and you’ll feel better in any social situation.”
Our therapeutic relationship should (and will) include the "human feeling" that so many of us are sorely missing in our lives. And this is the case with any human. I’ve had clients across all types of identities and each of them appreciates the fluidity and authenticity of our work together. I’ve even had one person describe me as “a cross between the Dalai Lama and Helen Hunt.” I assume this description to reflect the warmth and mindfulness of our sessions that are also layered with practicality. Whether our relationship is short-term and very focused in on one thing or longer-term and a little more exploratory in nature, there is space for you here, with me.
Four Fun Facts About Karen
I love thinking about how the environment affects culinary outcomes.
I enjoy a good new vinyl at the same time of a good first time attempt at a recipe. Sometimes, I even wonder if a song will forever match that food? Something in cooking in silence feels very sterile to me, I wonder what you have noticed in your cooking? I wonder if it is a coincidence or not that the 80's albums lately have been played at my house with more traditional foods like meatloaf. In addition, I do have a reputation for Chiefs gameday creations that are photographed with red and yellow props.I enjoy keeping up on documentaries/ movies that feel like they can cause a validation.
I can watch a documentary and take a quote and apply it to therapy, it's something I do pretty easy. A line in a documentary about a singer and he says "panic is it will never end or I will die" becomes stored. 500 days of Summer is a classic way I think about "going back and does it really look like that?" If you have examples, too, I most likely would remember to add it to my list, just to feel that influence it has. I can rewatch certain ones over and over just to feel that shift all over again.I can draw cartoons really fast.
This means sometimes if I cannot explain something, that other person is gifted with a cartoon. I think some of this came from working at a daycare when I was young and the kids demanding so many drawings so fast. Sometimes, I wonder if that means I should be a face painter when I retire. Does the smell of a Sharpie marker bother you? When I smell it I think an idea is coming out and will have some explanation to it.I love sports personalities.
I often have a list in my head of at least four athletes that have talked about mental health impacting them. I find it interesting how sports figures live in a rhythm of an on and off season and transitions they go through in their lives. I have met only a handful of sports celebrities in real life. A documentary came out once and I was shocked the facts I had remembered about the focus person that I learned in 6th grade. If you know about anyone, I will remember what you tell me too, especially if it is quirky or connected to some personalization about that figure.
Karen’s Education and Training
Karen has been a therapist since 2017, but has worked in mental health in various capacities since 2000. She’s earned a Master’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis on trauma-informed care, as well as a dual bachelor's in Political Science and Social Work.
Clinically, Karen is most interested in trauma survivors, first time therapy clients, or clients who have tried therapy before but were not satisfied with the experience. Her clinical experiences include: EMDR, DBT, CBT, ACT, RET, Inventions adapted for Neurodiversity, SAP (substance abuse professional), EAP work, STEPPS programming for Emotional Intensity Disorder, Navigate Psychosis, multicultural trainings, co-occurring medical experience, intern supervision, Drug Free Workplace (DFWP) training, and creative interventions.
Address
The Counseling Hub, LLC
2804 Forum Blvd., Ste 4
Columbia, MO 65203
Contact Information
p | (573)207-2257
f | (573) 313-3528
e | contact@thecounselinghub.com
Hours
Admin/Ops Team | Monday - Friday: 10a - 3p
*Clinical hours are by appointment only, Sunday - Friday
We have both clinical hours, or the times when our clinical team sees clients, and admin hours, or the times when our admin team is available via call or email.