Testimonials
If you’re curious about what it’s like to work with me, you’ll find stories from current and past clients below. These are real client experiences, shared with permission, and reflect the kind of transformation that’s possible through this work. Each one captures a unique evolution through anxious attachment, relationship challenges, healing and growth.
Click on any name to jump right to their story or simply scroll through and take your time.
Jordan
I’m more than happy to share my experience working with Karena. I honestly can’t recommend her enough to any guy out there trying to break out of anxious attachment.
Karena helped me completely change how I show up in my relationship. She’s been a voice of reason for me since the start, direct, compassionate, with a big heart. As a New Yorker, I don’t do well with fluff in therapy, which I experienced in the past, so I especially appreciated her honest, no-nonsense attitude. That was key in helping me finally push past blocks I’d been stuck in for decades.
As a man with anxious attachment I’ve always felt a lot of shame, even straight up self-hatred, around being the “emotional” needy one in relationships. Karena was excellent at diagnosing the root of my problems quickly, and then guiding me through steps to overcome them. Within just a few months, I started to feel a real shift in my “attachment”, and in how my fiancée was responding too.
Our sessions and conversations had a tremendous positive impact on my life. Today I function in a much more secure way. Not worrying all the time and at peace with myself. Instead of feeling emotionally dependent, I'm also a more reliable partner, and I feel grounded in my masculinity. It’s been a game changer for both myself and my fiancée.
It took a long time to find a therapist who really understood how to help with my specific challenges, especially from a male perspective. Deeply thankful I found Karena. Hands down, working with her was the best decision I’ve made for my mental health and my relationship.
Vanessa
Karena was recommended to me by a close friend. I was told that in her approach she was kind, understanding, knowledgeable, straightforward and practical. She is all that and more. She’s the most compassionate and understanding professional you’ll ever meet, and so dedicated to making sure that as her patient you can face challenges head-on with confidence and belief in yourself.
I came to her overwhelmed. My boyfriend leans more avoidant, and I spent most of our relationship trying to pull him closer. I told her I had this lifelong dream of being cherished and cared for. I was so hungry for that kind of attention and love, my whole life just revolved around it. I over-functioned, analyzed, obsessed and endlessly pursued him. But of course, the more I chased, the more he pulled away. And the more he pulled away, the more I spiraled and panicked.
Karena helped me finally step out of that soul-crushing pattern. She showed me how deeply I was neglecting myself to secure closeness. She didn’t just empathize with my pain (though she did that too wonderfully), but more importantly she helped me practice healthy detachment, refocus the “spotlight” back on me and on my own life, and stop participating in that “pursuer” role. I learned to self-soothe, and to pause. To act with self respect, to prioritize me.
And needless to say, it has changed our relationship DRAMATICALLY. Despite a lot of initial friction, my partner began to lean in, initiate, and outwardly appreciate me. In time, our dynamic completely transformed, and is the happiest and most fulfilling it’s been. But most importantly, for me this wasn’t just relationship coaching, it was a process of self-reclamation - making myself the center of my world again.
If your life is ruled by anxious attachment - reaching out to Karena is the best step you can take for yourself. I know the trajectory of my life is forever changed because of the work we did together, and I’m infinitely thankful for her continued support.
Lucia
Coaching with Karena has been an absolutely INCREDIBLE experience. In just three months together, I’ve resolved and healed so many of my ultra-codependent behaviours and anxious habits! I’ve been able to start showing up in my marriage with so much more maturity, self - responsibility and freedom - it feels like an entirely new version of myself is emerging!.
One of my biggest struggles was managing my emotional tantrums (my inner tantrum thrower), and unconsciously I was always looking to my husband to rescue me from my triggers and anxiety.
I’d worked with other therapists in the past, but nothing ever really stuck. Karena was able to see right through all the noise and identify my blocks very accurately. She understood exactly what was going on for me internally. She then helped me face truths about myself I’d been avoiding looking at and challenged me to step up into the wife and partner I’ve always wanted to become.
Our work together isn’t over yet, but I’m already so grateful for her and this transformative experience. My husband is elated too:) I would recommend working with Karena 1000%. I always look forward to our sessions and can’t wait to continue our journey together!!!
"My wife and I are now rebuilding intimacy and trust with calm and respect. We enjoy each other’s company again, she even told me recently that
'my heart feels safe and loving to her now'.
That moment made every uncomfortable step I took worth it."
- Adam
Nicolas
As an executive in a high-pressure field, I didn’t expect attachment work to have such a measurable impact on my relationships. Karena helped me identify patterns that were actively sabotaging both my marriage and my leadership. I’ve since improved communication across the board, at home and at work.
She is exceptional at what she does, professional, diligent, and sharp. Her process was precise, highly efficient and strategic. I became more conscious of how I was engaging in conflict - learning to de-escalate, respond instead of react and stop micromanaging.
Since working together, I’ve seen tangible results: fewer escalations in marriage, deeper sense of connection and satisfaction, improved team cohesion, and faster conflict resolution.
I’m now more grounded in high-stress situations, and my relationships, both professional and personal, feel far more collaborative, stable, and connected.
If you’re operating in a demanding environment and want to lead with more clarity, presence, and effectiveness, I highly recommend working with Karena. 10/10.
Victoria
I’ve been trying to think of the right words to capture how much has changed since we started working together a 8 months ago. This space has blown my mind in the best way possible! I’m grateful for all the insight, care, and support you’ve given me. You’ve been a consistent force for growth and stability in my life.
I initially reached out for help with resolving communication and conflict issues in my relationship. But what I ended up gaining was that, and so, so much more.
Karena, you taught me how to reconnect with my true self worth and my authentic voice. You helped me discover my deeper desires and find the boundaries of my sacred Yeses and No’s. You sat with my inner little girl, and with the pain in my heart, and you gave us tender, attentive care. You guided me to relinquish insecurities that had been holding me back and start co-creating secure attachment with myself.
Working together has changed me from the inside out. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Karena.
Daniel
Karena is a wonderful human being and excellent at her job. She leads the sessions in a focused, efficient, solution-oriented way, which means progress happens fast. She really gets how anxiety in marriages works and how to help you work through it.
Working with her was a turning point for my marriage. She helped me understand the causes and contributors to my anxious attachment and why I kept repeating the same behaviors, and how to change in a permanent way. Before our work together, I used to struggle with overthinking, blowing up and controlling too much out of fear. Thanks to Karena, the issues I used to struggle with are gone.
I definitely recommend working with her. She’s dedicated, and genuinely cares about helping you grow and heal. By far, the most productive work I’ve ever done with any therapist! Thank you Karena for all you do and your kind heart.
"In our sessions, I finally understood what anxious attachment really is and how it was shaping my entire identity and dating life. Karena helped me unlearn patterns I thought were just ‘my personality.’ I left each session with so much inspiration and clarity.. "
- Marika
Arjun & Sarah
Our relationship used to be a rollercoaster! We were constantly fighting, big loud, blowouts, yelling, tears, doors slamming…even divorce talks.
I (Sarah) felt like I was always walking on eggshells, and exploding 5 minutes later. And I (Arjun) would get aggressively defensive and sensitive to any sign of her criticism or disappointment.
We both wanted closeness and peace, but we kept getting lost in the same cycle of fights, misunderstandings, hours of marathon discussions, and then for days our home would feel heavy and tense.
Karena helped me (Sarah) understand that I wasn’t just anxious, I was dysregulated, reactive, and operating from fear 99% of the time. She helped me stop blaming and start really hearing and looking at myself first. I learned how to calm down my triggers and how to stop trying to control our relationship, and instead tend to myself first.
She helped me (Arjun) slow everything down, take an honest look at how I was reinforcing Sarah’s fears. For the first time I realized the weight of my words and the insecurities I was instilling with my actions. I also identified my own past wounds from childhood that were playing into it.
She organized and broke down our respective “contributions” and our underlying pattern, so clearly we started to feel hopeful and motivated.
What surprised us most? How quickly things started to shift. The fights stopped escalating. We finally started having real, vulnerable conversations instead of power struggles. We are able to give each other more grace, patience, catch our negative cycles and repair fast whenever things feel off.
Karena is simply brilliant, warm, straightforward, and tough in the exact ways we needed. We’ve never felt more in control of our marriage, or more optimistic and excited about us and our future. Can’t recommend her enough for all the stuck couples!
Chris
I’m thrilled to offer my testimonial about what it was like to work with Karena, as she’s truly transformed my life and saved my marriage.
I’ve been seeing Karena for 6 months now and I can confidently say the value I continue to receive is immeasurable. Her approach is insightful and pragmatic, she doesn’t waste time and really knows what she’s doing.
I came in when my marriage was hanging by a thread. Karena didn’t beat around the bush, she helped me face and start to fix some of the issues my wife and I had been dealing with for years.
My anger always used to be a problem for me. I used to bottle it up until I would often blow up. Last year, I started realizing a lot of it was tied to anxiety in my marriage. My wife is more avoidant and we’d get into the same arguments over and over again. Karena helped me recognize where it all came from and equipped me with techniques to regulate before I spiraled out. Through her guidance I learned to identify triggers for my anxiety and anger, how I can communicate effectively with my wife and practice healthy coping strategies when facing challenging situations. Her ability to push back on my default behaviors and perspectives has been critical for my progress.
The tools she gave me were fantastic - practical and actually worked. I have seen a significant improvement in how I handle my emotions, stress and conflict within my marriage, allowing it to blossom again. I feel like a much better husband and a better father as well. I cannot thank Karena enough for her expertise and all the support. I highly recommend reaching out and working with her.
Marika
I feel so lucky I got to work with Karena!!!🫶🏻 I reached out to her after a string of confusing situationships. I constantly questioned myself, overanalyzed everything, obsessed over every message, and had no idea why I felt so insecure. I knew something was off, but didn’t have the language or tools.
I looked for a while for the right fit therapist. Then I came across Karena’s IG page. I was super nervous about doing this work, but Karena made me feel so at ease from the very first call. Her ability to create a safe, nonjudgmental space has helped me grow more than I ever imagined.
In our sessions, I finally understood what anxious attachment really is and how it was shaping my entire identity and dating life. Karena helped me unlearn patterns I thought were just ‘my personality.’ I left each session with so much inspiration and clarity..
Now I have boundaries. I feel solid. I believe in myself. I’m not writing paragraphs, or desperately trying to prove my worth anymore. I’m dating securely and I feel confident AF in myself🥰
You’re in the best hands. Thank you Karena for everything, you're the best!!💕😌
"And needless to say, it has changed our relationship DRAMATICALLY. Despite a lot of initial friction, my partner began to lean in, initiate, and outwardly appreciate me. In time, our dynamic completely transformed, and is the happiest and most fulfilling it’s been."
- Vanessa
Renée & Mario
We came to Karena as a very frustrated anxious-avoidant couple.
We loved each other deeply, so it didn’t make sense to us how our relationship could feel so difficult and unstable!
Despite our best attempts to be understanding and supportive, we constantly triggered and stressed each other out and would end up in the same, never ending arguments every couple of days. Our marital troubles were starting to affect our kids, and our own overall wellbeing, and we knew we were drifting apart.
Working with Karena was definitely a wake up call for us. She didn’t sugarcoat anything and she helped each of us see how our fears, anger and negative stories were running the show, not connection. We finally stopped focusing on what the other was doing wrong and started cleaning up our own “sides of the street”.
Karena was exceptional to work with. She’s very knowledgeable, professional and highly skilled. Unlike in our previous therapy experiences, she didn’t take sides, was objective, and clear about how we both contributed, which was extremely important to us when choosing a therapist to work with. We both felt equally challenged, but also supported and cared for.
We’re so grateful for her guidance, we still see her for the occasional “maintenance” sessions and continue to grow and benefit from the work we’ve done together. We absolutely recommend Karena, and have already referred close friends and family.
Adam
Karena is an incredibly helpful and compassionate professional.
My wife and I were a few weeks away from separating when I booked the first call with Karena. At that point, we were living like roommates, every conversation felt like a fight or business transaction. I knew I had an anxious attachment style, but didn’t grasp just how much it was impacting our daily interactions. I later realized, I was always either criticizing or stonewalling, making my wife feel like she could never get it right.
Karena didn’t waste a second since our first appointment. She got to the point fast and pushed me to deal with my core issues. Her professionalism, kindness, and expertise gave me hope and growth started to feel achievable.
She knew my marriage was in crisis and continuously motivated me to put in 110% effort. She helped me get honest about the part I played and taught me how to rebuild our bond effectively instead of demanding and forcing. Relationships take work, we had some tough, but necessary conversations. She didn’t let me deflect and blame, which I was used to doing for years. At the same time, she made me feel heard, really listened to and validated throughout the process.
My wife and I are now rebuilding intimacy and trust with calm and respect. We enjoy each other’s company again, she even told me recently that “my heart feels safe and loving to her now”. That moment alone made every uncomfortable step I took worth it.
Without hesitation, I recommend Karena to any husband, or anyone dealing with a breakdown in their relationship. Don’t give up hope before giving her a call. I’ve already referred two friends to her and they couldn’t be happier with their progress too.
Pria
I grew up with a narcissistic mother and love always felt like something I had to earn and work hard for. Since I was a child, I’ve been incredibly good at being what everyone else around me expected and needed. As an adult, on the outside my life looked pretty perfect, but inside I felt indescribable rage, anxiety and resentment that just continued to accumulate over time.
In my relationships, I’d swing between desperately trying to prove I was worthy of their love, clinging and monitoring their every move, and then suddenly shutting down, threatening and punishing my partners.
Before finding Karena, I had tried several other therapists throughout my life. She is without a doubt the best. I've been seeing her off and on for about two years now. Absolutely professional, responsive, attentive, always ready to help to find solutions and answers without any judgments. During the sessions, she won't sit there and say "uh-huh, yes, sure" - she actually gives you concrete feedback and helps you understand what you need to and fast. She made me understand that my toxic behaviors weren’t just ‘me’. It was my disorganized attachment running on autopilot. She didn’t just validate what I’d been through, she also wisely and skillfully facilitated and helped me stop repeating and reliving it, and made me feel like anything can be overcome.
Her approach was structured and very emotionally present and grounding. She helped me reparent the scared parts of me that kept chasing and pushing away love and taught me how to finally attune and stay with myself instead.
Working with her sooner would have saved me years of heartache. I wholeheartedly recommend working with Karena. If you’re someone reading this and feeling like life is just too much, I was in your shoes not long ago - you don’t have to do this alone and your situation is not hopeless. No matter what you deserve to be helped.
"I’ve been able to start showing up in my marriage with so much more maturity, self - responsibility and freedom - it feels like an entirely new version of myself is emerging!"
- Lucia
Emily
This will be long, but important so bear with me!
I came into Karena’s private program saying I wanted to accomplish two things: I wanted to stop attracting avoidant men and finally feel secure and confident in myself. After a couple sessions, I committed to the one-year private program, and that was that. Everything began to shift.
For most of my adult life - honestly, the majority of my life - I chased after unavailable men like my life depended on it. I would ignore every red flag (or what I used to call “passion flags”) and I would pursue, and pursue, and sacrifice, until I was so disconnected from myself that my boundaries were nonexistent, my sense of self-respect and dignity erased, and I didn’t even know my own name anymore.
After my last harrowing breakup at 39 (yes, as I was approaching the magic milestone, lol) - from someone I thought I’d marry - something in me just broke.
I became severely depressed for months, and I just knew I couldn’t go on like that. I didn’t recognize who I was becoming.
Working with Karena led to a transformation my soul had been craving for years. She supported me with so much steadiness and safety. I was held. I was truly seen. I was listened to. I was guided, and I was loved.
She encouraged me firmly through the most intense growing pains and the shedding of my past layers. She held the vision for me when I doubted myself, when I questioned my abilities and strength and she really helped me re-anchor into that vision, time and time again. She pulled me back up every time I slipped back into my old patterns. She created a space where I could practice and solidify this new, authentic, secure version of myself.
We worked hard, really, really hard. I was confronted, challenged and stretched, but over time I became the woman I truly believe I was always meant to be.
Now at 41, I’ve never felt so deeply embodied and connected to myself. I’ve never felt this loving towards myself, or this joyful, capable, and passionate. The waves of this transformation have not only reshaped my love life, but literally expanded every other area of my life. I was promoted at work, twice. My friendships have deepened, they are more genuine, more soulful. I was even able to reconnect with my Dad and repair a relationship that had been strained for years.
And finally - I’m now engaged to a man who is so deeply caring and loving. I know I would never have been able to sustain (or even receive!) a secure, safe love like this, if I hadn’t taken that leap of faith and done the work with Karena. I’m truly the happiest I’ve been, my life has changed far beyond what I ever thought was possible for me.
If you’re here reading this, all I can say is this: trust Karena. Trust the process and stick with it. You will not recognize the person you used to be.
Karena, my goodness, thank you. You know how deeply I cherish and value you and what you have done for me, I’m forever thankful❤️
Amir
In the beginning, I was skeptical about this type of therapy work as I used to take pride in prioritizing logic and common sense above all else. But I knew I needed help. Working with Karena transformed how I approach love and relationships.
Every past relationship I had crashed and burned the same way. Fast, obsessive high, leading to an inevitable mess. I’ve always chalked it up to choosing the wrong women. Unpacking it with Karena forced me to see the problem clearly: I was addicted to chaos.
Karena helped me deconstruct my patterns with surgical precision and connect the dots. Her ability to track what’s happening beneath the surface is uncanny. Her insights were on point, remarkably accurate. She was encouraging and patient with me, I always felt reassured and truly comfortable opening up.
She would often skillfully challenge my assumptions, point out the ways I’d abandoned myself, and gave me actual steps to regulate, rewire, and reorient. She also helped me understand what real connection versus plain chemistry feels like, which was a huge breakthrough for me.
Because of our work, for the first time, I started dating from a grounded place, less performative, more authentic. I stopped spiraling every time a text wasn’t answered immediately or a vibe shifted. I became more deliberate in who I pursued and how I showed up. And then - I met my wonderful girlfriend, with whom we’ve been together for 2 years now.
If your relationships tend to feel like a trainwreck, do yourself a favor and do this work on yourself. Karena is absolutely masterful at helping you find your center and call you out when you’re lying to yourself. It’s the best investment I’ve made in my growth and overall happiness.
