ABOUT DR. SCHLEE
Please review my training and experience below.
My Thoughts on the Therapeutic Relationship
One of the most important elements in the therapy process is your relationship with your therapist. Finding a person who has the right combination of training, experience and interpersonal skills to connect with and guide you is essential. The clinical training involved to earn my doctorate, and the 23 years of private practice and consultant work I've done have fine tuned my skills.
On the interpersonal level, I think the respect I convey to each client, my earnest efforts to understand the history that has led this person to my door, and the energy I bring to the collaboration process in therapy is what clients appreciate most. It's what solidifies the therapeutic relationships I create.
Therapy is such a personal, & unique process. The work I do with each client varies greatly, as does each client's personality, history, & goals. 23 years of practice has prepared me well to hand-tailor each therapeutic relationship to suit the needs of each client.
Along with treating cases of depression, anxiety and general stress management, several areas of specialty focus have arisen for me over the years:
- couple therapy
- working with elders/seniors and those with chronic health stressors, adjusting to various life changes (ie., physical, cognitive, health, welcomed and unwelcome)
- adjustment to & coping through other life transitions & stressors (e.g., marriage, family, infidelity, divorce, singles/dating, retirement, grief & loss, etc.)
- perfectionism, the inner critic, procrastination and self doubt
- difficulty with self compassion and self care
- caregiver stress
If your life needs a makeover or it's time for a relationship tune-up, we can work together to make those plans your new reality. Stop hoping change will come, as the months and years pass you by.
Consider the words of Lao-Tzu, a Chinese philosopher credited with founding Taoism:
​
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. - Lao-tzu
Take your first step today toward the life you want to create. Email me and let's get started: DrKarinSchlee@gmail.com
​
EDUCATION & TRAINING
GRADUATE SCHOOL
I received my doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the State University of New York in Stony Brook (USB). I received specialized training under the mentorship of Dr. K. D. O'Leary in the Stony Brook Marital Clinic (now called The Relationship & Forensic Assessment Clinic).
While at USB, I also trained in the following clinics:
- The Krasner Psychological Center
- Point of Woods Parenting Clinic
INTERNSHIP TRAINING
I completed my internship training (photo: 1997-1998 trainees) at the Charleston Consortium Internship Program. This program is a joint endeavor of the Medical University of South Carolina and the Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
​
During my internship, I trained at the following sites:
- The National Crime Victims Center at MUSC
- The Center for Drug and Alcohol Programs at MUSC
- The Ralph H. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center
WORK EXPERIENCE AT THE VA MEDICAL CENTER
Following internship, I was offered a permanent position at the VA Medical Center and provided services in:
- The Marital and Family Clinic
- The Primary Care Mental Health Clinic
- The Substance Abuse Treatment Center (SATC)
In the SATC, I co-developed and co-led a Family Group for veterans with addiction problems with a colleague.
​
UNDERGRADUATE
In 1990, I graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Summa Cum Laude, from Clark University in Worcester, MA.
TRIVIA: Did you know Clark U is the only university in the US at which Sigmund Freud lectured? Check it out:
​
Transcript of Freud's 1909 lectures at Clark
​