Karen Jurls , LICSW

Karen Jurls is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) practicing in Alabama with 35 years of experience in the mental health and public health fields. She has extensive experience supporting adoptive parents and their children and has spent her career helping people navigate depression, stress, low self-confidence, loss related to relationship and family changes, difficulties with coping, and trauma.

Drawing on a background that spans clinical work and public health, she emphasizes a respectful, person-centered approach that focuses on setting practical goals and understanding emotions and behavior. Her work is oriented toward helping individuals develop clearer coping strategies, regain perspective, and make manageable changes that improve daily life.

Karen approaches therapy as a collaborative process in which the therapist and client work together to identify priorities and build steps toward growth. She frames therapy as an act of self-care that can make life more manageable and more enjoyable, and she looks forward to meeting and working with people who are seeking positive change.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Counseling Options

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify their values and build psychological flexibility by learning to accept difficult thoughts and focus on meaningful action. It is often used to address anxiety, stress, low mood, and challenges that interfere with living according to personal priorities.

Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships shape emotional patterns and current connections. It can be helpful for relationship difficulties, attachment concerns related to adoption or foster care, and patterns that affect family functioning.

Client-Centered Therapy centers the person in a nonjudgmental therapeutic relationship, emphasizing empathy, respect, and collaboration to support self-exploration and growth. It is useful for building self-esteem, improving coping skills, and navigating life transitions.

The therapist will work collaboratively with each person to determine which approach or combination of approaches fits best based on needs, goals, and preferences. That process is flexible and tailored to what a client finds most helpful.

Online therapy with video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging offers practical flexibility, making it easier to schedule sessions around work, family, or caregiving responsibilities. These options help people access consistent support from licensed professionals and maintain continuity of care during life changes or when in-person visits are difficult.