Karen Schafer

Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologist

Ms. Karen Schafer is a Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologist in La Plata, MD with special training and skill in diagnosing and treating mental disorders that affect young patients. As a Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologist, Karen Schafer performs psychological assessment, therapy, and research regarding abnormal childhood mental health. Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology is medical specialty focused on diagnosing, treating, and researching childhood mental disorders. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologists include autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit disorder (ADD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, eating disorders, and learning disabilities. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychologists include mental health assessment, parent and child education, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), play therapy, psychotherapy, and referral to other medical specialists as needed.

A psychologist who develops and applies scientific knowledge to the delivery of psychological services to infants, toddlers, children and adolescents within their social context. Of particular importance to the specialty of clinical child psychology is an understanding of the basic psychological needs of children and adolescents, and how the family and other social contexts influence the socio-emotional adjustment, cognitive development, behavioral adaptation and health status of children and adolescents.

Mental Health Counselor

Ms. Karen Schafer is a Mental Health Counselor in La Plata, MD with special training and skill in working with individuals, groups and communities to improve mental health dysfunctions by discussing emotions and experiences, then prescribing custom holistic solutions. As a Mental Health Counselor, Karen Schafer performs assessments and diagnostics, psychotherapy, treatment planning, and crisis management. Mental Health Counseling is flexible, consumer-driven therapy that combines psychotherapy with practical, problem resolution strategies. Significant diseases and conditions treated by Mental Health Counselors include substance abuse, anger management, bullying, depression, anxiety, relationships, self-image, and LGBTQ issues. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Mental Health Counselors include listening compassionately, analyzing emotions and experiences, determining client goals and insights, developing holistic therapeutic strategies for good mental health.