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Dr. Karen Walant is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker located in Phillipston, MA. Dr. Walant supports clients who feel anxious or depressed, as well as those who struggle in relationships, especially when they have codependent characteristics. Her clients often feel overwhelmed by the thoughts inside their minds, or discomfort in their bodies, and while they might achieve great success in some domains, they find themselves feeling unfulfilled. Often, these heightened emotions and destructive thoughts infect/affect clients’ relationships and impact their daily lives.
Dr. Walant specializes in mindfulness meditation as a way to cultivate skills that can reduce emotional suffering, build self-resilience, and cultivate a sense of friendliness towards the self. Slowing down a client’s thoughts and teaching ways to PAUSE so as to develop a more intimate awareness of what’s going on internally and externally empowers people to feel more steady in their hearts and minds. In sessions, Dr. Walant may ask about early relationships and impacting events to guide clients towards insights about their development. She draws attention to harmful thought patterns and offers healthier alternatives, including fresh perspectives.
Dr. Walant earned her PhD in Clinical Social Work from New York University. She authored a book titled Creating Capacity for Attachment that encourages both therapists and clients to create a trusting relationship to best support the process of internal change. She has supported clients and couples for over 25 years. By focusing on the positives and the strengths of each client, Dr. Walant encourages individuals and couples to grow their inner wisdom so that they can become their own best selves. She firmly believes in the power of psychotherapy, meditation, and mindfulness strategies. She has been inspired by her clients, who have bravely embarked on a journey of introspection and skill-building in order to become their Best Selves.
Years of Experience: 31 years
Anxiety - Coping with excessive worry, nervousness, or stress; intense discomfort in social settings (social anxiety); sudden and intense feelings of panic (panic disorder)
Codependency - Development of healthy boundaries in relationships; strategies for increasing individual self-esteem and autonomy; coping mechanisms for separation and individuation.
Relationship issues - Understanding one’s wants and needs in relationships; exploring patterns of interaction, addressing concerns, and strengthening satisfaction in relationships and dating
Aging related concerns - Coping with memory loss, loss of independence, and other physical and/or mental impacts of aging. May include support for family or caregivers and resource planning for changes in living situation.
Work stress - Managing overwhelming stress and expectations; increasing effective ways of restoring and maintaining emotional stability and health; addressing challenging relationships with coworkers and bosses
Depression - Providing support and promoting healing of hopelessness, low motivation and energy, sadness, irritability, sleep disturbance, and loss of interest and pleasure in life
I offer hybrid a Mindfulness Meditation Practice Group and 1-1 meditation instruction. I am a certified MBCT instructor and teach Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression & Anxiety.
Karen Walant is not in-network with any insurances.
Read about the benefits of seeing an out-of-network provider here.
This provider can support you in getting reimbursement from your insurance company if you are seeking out-of-network reimbursement. Here are the out-of-network billing options they provide:
Frequency of sessions this provider offers to see clients once you are an established client.
The Meditation Practice Group is freely offered. In the Buddhist tradition, the approach taken for fees is through donation, or dana. You are invited to give what you are able to, and that includes your time, your practicing, your participation, and the monetary amount you choose.
Practicing meditation in a group provides an added element for increased commitment and shared learnings. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or you want to begin a practice, this group can help you deepen in self-knowledge and compassion.