Meet Karen McKinney, LCSW, LCADC-S

photo of Karen McKinney, LCSW, LCADC therapist in Reno at Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates specializing in addiction and trauma

Relationship & Addiction Therapy in Reno

When a relationship is strained by the weight of addiction, trauma, or long-standing conflict, it can feel as though the very foundation of your life has washed away. I’m Karen McKinney, a relationship therapist in Reno dedicated to helping individuals and couples navigate these deep fractures to find their way back to solid ground. I provide a compassionate, safe space where you can address the hard truths of the past while building a practical roadmap for a secure and connected future.

My approach is rooted in the science of attachment and Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which allows us to look beneath the surface of the “stuck” patterns that drive disconnection. Whether you are navigating the complexities of recovery or seeking to heal from old wounds through EMDR, we will work together to restore clarity, balance, and connection. I believe that even the most painful cycles can be transformed into opportunities for genuine emotional intimacy and lasting resilience.

Therapy Services with Karen McKinney in Reno, NV

Karen works with clients on a wide range of concerns, including:

She views behavior as a natural response to life’s challenges and provides a safe, empathetic space where clients feel seen and supported on their path to healing.

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Karen’s Therapy Approach

Karen combines evidence-based therapies with a compassionate, strengths-focused style to help clients achieve meaningful growth. Her specialized training includes:

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy (EFCT)

  • An attachment-based, research-supported approach for couples.
  • Helps partners reduce conflict, rebuild trust, and create deeper emotional connection.

Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT)

  • Based in attachment science, EFIT helps clients understand emotional patterns and strengthen self-regulation.
  • Promotes long-term emotional well-being.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

  • Effective for trauma, PTSD, anxiety, depression, and phobias.
  • Supported by thousands of studies, EMDR helps accelerate recovery and transformation.

Motivational Interviewing

  • A collaborative, strengths-based method.
  • Supports self-awareness and empowers clients to make lasting change.

Karen’s person-centered style creates a safe, supportive environment where clients can explore challenges and embrace their potential.

Why Karen Became a Therapist

Later in life, Karen returned to school to follow her passion for helping people heal emotionally. She finds it deeply rewarding to witness clients:

  • Gain clarity around emotional patterns
  • Build self-esteem and confidence
  • Develop healthy coping strategies
  • Create more fulfilling lives

She understands that change is difficult but knows the rewards are profound and lasting.

About Reno Therapist Karen McKinney

Karen lives in Reno, NV, with her husband and two dogs. She and her husband recently purchased an RV and enjoy exploring Nevada’s landscapes. A proud mother of three and grandmother of six, Karen treasures her family roles.

Her personal experience with addiction and mental health challenges allows her to connect with clients on a deeper level, offering compassion and real understanding.

Getting Started with Therapy in Reno

  • Standard session fee: $150
  • Insurance accepted: Hometown Health
  • Limited sliding scale options available

If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or relationship issues, you don’t have to face it alone. Karen offers a safe and supportive space to begin healing.

Call our office today to schedule an appointment with Karen McKinney, LCSW, LCADC in Reno, NV.

Find the Right Connection

Our team at Individual & Relationship Counseling Associates works collaboratively to support the Reno community. While we all have extensive and ongoing training in attachment-based Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples, our clinicians provide specialized focus areas to help you find the right fit:

  • Hillary Harris: Find internal safety and peace. Hillary focuses on individual and relationship therapy designed to move you through anxiety and toward a secure sense of self.
  • Gina Bemis: Strengthen your family bond. Gina specializes in EFT-based couple and family support, helping both the unit and the individual grow together.
  • Maddie Huntley: Navigate life transitions with confidence. Maddie offers specialized therapy for young adults facing family conflict or the challenges of early adulthood.
  • Sarah Rosenbloom: Support for your growing family. Sarah offers dedicated attachment-based counseling for couples navigating the unique emotional complexities of fertility and pregnancy.
  • Amy Aranda: Find your path back to connection. Amy focuses on helping individuals and couples move past “stuck” patterns to build clarity, balance, and security.
  • Cornelius Sheehan: Guidance for deep change. As a veteran clinician, Cornelius provides expert care for complex family dynamics and long-term relationship repair, alongside depth-oriented psychotherapy for individuals.
Posted in Therapists in Reno NV