Karina Killough , LCMHC

Karina Killough is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) based in North Carolina with a Master’s degree in Clinical/Community Psychology and 28 years of clinical experience. As an LCMHC she holds a professional license to provide mental health counseling and psychotherapy in the state. Over nearly three decades she has worked across inpatient, intensive outpatient, and outpatient settings, providing individual, family, couples, and group therapy to clients facing a wide range of concerns.

Her work addresses depression, anxiety, mood disorders including bipolar challenges, substance use and addiction, stress management, trauma and abuse, grief, relationship and family difficulties, LGBT issues, parenting and intimacy-related concerns, eating and body image problems, ADHD, anger, and self-esteem struggles. She also supports people coping with life transitions, isolation, codependency, and other emotional issues that affect daily functioning and relationships.

Karina’s counseling style emphasizes compassion, empathy, respect, and support. She centers treatment on the individual’s goals and collaborates on practical coping strategies to improve emotional and mental well-being. Her primary clinical orientation is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and she integrates client-centered and mindfulness-based techniques to tailor care and develop focused treatment plans that reflect each person’s needs and strengths.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Sessions with Karina Killough

Karina uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help clients identify and change thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mood concerns. CBT is practical and problem-focused, often useful for stress management, panic, and mood disorders.

She also practices client-centered therapy, which emphasizes empathy, active listening, and respect for each person’s experience. This approach supports self-exploration, relationship issues, self-esteem work, and healing from trauma by creating a collaborative and validating therapeutic relationship.

Mindfulness techniques are incorporated to help clients build awareness of thoughts and feelings in the present moment, which can reduce reactivity and improve coping with cravings, shame, and intense emotions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Karina collaborates with clients to match strategies to their needs, goals, and preferences. Together they refine the plan over time to ensure it fits the client’s situation.

Online therapy offers flexible options including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to receive consistent care around work, family, and mobility constraints and allow clients to engage in therapy from familiar environments while working with licensed professionals and therapists committed to practical, effective support.