Karelin Wadkins, LMFT

Pronouns: She/her/hers

Phonetic pronunciation of name: "CARE-AH-LHIN"

Role at Evergreen: Clinician

As a therapist, I believe in offering connected, empathetic support. I provide a safe and knowledgeable space where you can heal, grow, and discover new ways of approaching life’s difficulties. Together, we’ll explore the patterns that may no longer serve you and work to replace them with skills that align with your values and sense of self. I have years of experience as a therapist and specialized training in working with the mental health challenges of perimenopause and menopause, treating substance abuse and working through the impacts of trauma. Whether you’re navigating these specific challenges or facing something else, I approach this work with great warmth, compassion, and respect, knowing the strength it takes to seek help. I encourage active participation in our sessions and offer tools to help you reflect and practice between sessions, ensuring that the progress we make together continues long after our time in therapy. You’ll always have me in your corner, ready to support you on your path to greater well-being and self-discovery.

Clinical issues/specialties

  • Anxiety

  • Betrayal Trauma

  • Childhood Trauma

  • Codependency

  • Complex Trauma

  • Depression

  • Developmental Trauma

  • Emotional Abuse

  • Grief and Mourning

  • Medical Trauma

  • Menopause

  • Narcissistic Abuse

  • People Pleasing

  • Relational Trauma

  • Relationship Strain

  • Sexual Trauma

  • Substance Use/Abuse

Clinical modalities used with clients

  • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

  • CBT

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy

  • DBT

  • Internal Family Systems

  • Mindfulness

  • Motivational Interviewing

  • TF-CBT

Populations served

  • Adolescents (13-19)

  • Adults (20+)

  • Couples

Clinical style

Relational, holistically focused, direct, compassionate and interactive.

Therapy services location

Remote telehealth sessions for clients all over California.

License

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #85877

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts in Art History | California State University East Bay | 2002

Masters of Science in Counseling, Marriage, Family and Child Therapy | University of Phoenix | 2011

Advanced Trainings

Ego State Therapy Training, Institute for the Advancement of Human Behavior, 2017

DBT, PESI, 2017

Positive Neuroplasticity Training, Dr. Rick Hanson, 2018

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, PESI with Dr. Steven Hayes, 2019

Cognitive Processing Therapy, Lyra, 2022

Motivational Interviewing, Lyra, 2022

IFS Approach to Building Secure Internal Attachment, Dr Richard Schwartz, 2024

Menopause Society Member 2024

Why I do this work

Losing my mother in my late 20s marked a significant turning point in my life, inspiring me to pursue a career in therapy. My mother was always there for me, attending every school and band function, no matter the time or place. This unwavering support made me realize how fortunate I was, and it fueled my desire to be there for others and help them learn to support themselves.

I've focused on working with clients struggling with substance abuse as well as a history of trauma throughout my career. One client likened our sessions to following a treasure map to happiness, saying that my belief in him encouraged him to believe in himself. This affirmation has been a cornerstone of my therapeutic approach. You'll always have me in your corner, believing in your potential.

My goal in therapy is to help you uncover and address the habits and thought patterns holding you back, allowing us to rewrite your story in alignment with your highest self. There's nothing more rewarding for me than seeing clients return week after week, feeling more confident, insightful, and relieved to be on a path of healing and growth.

The best part of my job

The most rewarding aspect of my job is the trust my clients place in me. I deeply appreciate the courage it takes to step into the therapy room, whether in person or virtually. It's incredibly rewarding to witness my clients recognize their patterns and embrace new skills and perspectives to transform their lives. I find the education that can occur during therapy to be so valuable as well. Experiences like trauma for example often necessitate the development of coping skills that may later prove unhelpful in our later lives. Everything we do is skill based; the question is just if the skill still works for you. The joy of my work even extends beyond our sessions as I see the positive impact radiate into the lives of those around them, spreading light and hope.

How I spend my free time

My husband and I love to spend time traveling to visit family and to explore new places. We're avid bike riders and love taking our dogs on long walks in our neighborhood as well as down near the lake which is close by our home. I also find joy in reading, taking sword fighting lessons, and playing the drum, which adds a unique rhythm to my life.

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