I am dedicated to instilling hope by providing a compassionate, non-judgmental, nurturing environment in which I offer you knowledge and guidance to help identify your goals, reach your optimal level of functioning, and improve your overall quality of life. With empathy and compassion, I will seek to draw out the strengths I see in you – strengths you may have forgotten lay beneath the surface. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, trauma, depression, relationship issues, stressful life situations, or other concerns, with God’s help and through proven therapeutic techniques, healing is possible.
My Goal as a Christian Counselor
My goal is to help you regain resilient hope and belief in yourself to heal, grow, and achieve long-lasting change. My hope is that as you commit to discovering and implementing the changes we discuss in our sessions together, you will experience a renewed sense of peace, happiness, serenity, and satisfaction.
What I Offer in Christian Counseling
I offer a safe, supportive environment where you will be welcomed and accepted regardless of your story. I will meet you where you are and seek to serve as a professional guide on your path toward healing and hope. From my perspective, therapy is a collaborative partnership in which you and I journey together to find solutions during the problem-solving process. As your counselor, I will tailor your treatment plan specifically for your unique needs and circumstances.
My Approach to Christian Counseling
I believe that inner healing begins with understanding the Mind-Body-Spirit connection through a faith-based model. Because we as believers are not of this world, we cannot expect to operate at our highest ability with worldly standards of identity, self-worth, purpose and fulfillment. When we build on a faulty foundation, our temple falls because of lack of knowledge of true identity. But by recognizing that we are created by God and made in His image, we begin to learn how to operate according to the will and design of our Creator – already loved, deemed worthy, and given a purpose, calling, and supernatural strength to overcome any obstacle. By uncovering our identity, we can then renew our hope, restore our faith, and revive our purpose.
Qualifications & Experience
I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Portland State University (Psychology Major, Sociology Minor) and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Pacific University.
My Call to Christian Counseling
Growing up and seeing a lot of unresolved hardships around others in my life, I became inspired to help individuals in a way that might have seemed unconventional to some, but brought about long-lasting change to many. This is what led me to develop a therapeutic service that focused on the application of techniques and interventions for individuals using philosophical, spiritual, and biblically-based principles.
More About Me/On a Personal Note
Outside of therapy, I have personally committed myself to the models of health and overall well-being such as prayer, meditation, self-growth, healing, and intentional thought practices. These experiences have inspired me to share the life-changing power of the Mind-Body-Spirit connection with others.
Areas of Expertise/Specialties
- Abandonment and Neglect
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Chemical Dependency
- Coaching
- Codependency
- Couples Counseling
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Individual Counseling
- Marriage Counseling
- Online Counseling
- Personal Development
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Professional Development
- Premarital counseling
- Relationship Issues
- Spiritual Development
- Trauma
- Women’s Issues
Individual Counseling
I specialize and help clients address a variety of issues including addiction, substance abuse, conflict resolution, emotional disturbance, feeling alone or disconnected, anxiety, trauma, stressful life situations, life transitions, coping skills, sense of worth, relationship issues, abandonment and neglect, codependency, spirituality, self-esteem, and stress management. As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, one of the ways we do this is by exploring the relationship between how our thoughts affect our emotional and physical feelings, which as a result affect our behaviors. Identifying how our thoughts shape our experiences, perceptions, beliefs, and value systems is key to understanding the role that they play in our lives and the power that we have to recognize, control, and change the way they affect us.
Chemical Dependency and Addiction
Recovery is hard. Not recovering is harder. The craving, the need, the sickness, the withdrawal, the pain. Leading up to a narrow, empty lie of satisfaction. Addiction robs you of everything you have. It is the only disease that convinces you you’re okay while it sucks the life right out of you. If you are feeling alone in the depths of regret and despair, there is another way. You deserve to see your best self. I specialize in helping adults view recovery as a transformation. It’s about progress, not perfection. Together we will journey on the road to finding yourself, acknowledging your struggles, battling impulses, and coming out an entirely new person. No one is too far gone. Let’s reclaim your life together.
Relationship Issues and Codependency
If you’re struggling with codependency, that’s because you had to make a choice between choosing yourself or choosing others. Codependent adults are usually emotionally abandoned children who grew up feeling invisible. These childhood attachment styles can often bleed into any type of relationships that we have, creating issues where we least want or expect them. The Word of God says that love covers a multitude of wrongdoings. With the help of the Holy Spirit, my job is to help you navigate every single relationship issue and help you heal from the need of being codependent.
Anxiety
Anxiety can cripple us in life, bringing everything to a standstill. The thoughts racing through our mind full of worry, fear, and uncertainty strip us from the comforts of being in our own skin. The Bible says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). Through our sessions, we will take back your life one thought at a time.
Depression
Depression can be a road of exhaustion, hopelessness, and lack of interest in daily life. Asking for help is hard. Not asking for help is harder. If you’re experiencing increased sadness, negative thinking, the inability to sleep, or the constant need to sleep, I have the tools to empower you to see life again as it’s truly meant to be lived. Sometimes all we need is someone to sit with us in our lowest valleys. I’m here to let you know that there is hope, and you don’t have to journey through the valley alone.
Abandonment and Neglect
We all yearn to feel seen, heard, and validated by others. No matter what anyone has done to you or against you, you are still worthy of love, care, and respect. Sometimes people are unable to meet this need, which leaves us feeling broken and disregarded. My goal in our therapeutic relationship would be to help you rebuild trust and confidence in people, allowing you to have the healing process you deserve.
Sessions: I offer 53-minute sessions. Sessions can be held more than once per week, weekly, or every other week. Scheduling options are discussed in greater detail during your Risk-Free Initial Session.
Availability (by office location):
- Vancouver – Sunday, Monday and Friday
- Online (WA Only) – Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Fees: I offer a Risk-Free Initial Session for individuals looking to pursue counseling with me. Please note that there is a fee for the Risk-Free Initial Session as it is a clinical hour and reimbursable to most insurance companies, but if you choose not to reschedule and continue therapy after the initial session the entire fee for the session will be waived. For ongoing treatment the full fee per session is required at the time of service.
Insurance: As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA), some insurance companies will reimburse for a portion of my services (as an Out of Network Provider). Please consult with your insurance provider as to whether they specifically cover adolescents, individuals and couples.
Receipts/Statements: In the event you require a printed or digital receipt, I will provide receipts for personal use, insurance reimbursement, Flex Spending Accounts (FSA), and Health Savings Accounts (HSA).
Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit Card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, & American Express). A fee of up to 4% per transaction will be added for credit card payments.
Focus Areas
Testimonials
Love love love Karolina, sessions with her have been so liberating and is able to empathize with me through tough moments. All our sessions together I feel heard, she has guided me through the process and helped me regain back my power.
I just love talking with Karolina, she is a very kind, caring and compassionate woman. She is a good listener, and she draws from her own life experiences and education to be empathetic and relatable. I always feel uplifted and encouraged when talking with her.
Karolina Kovalev was my counselor, and I had the most amazing experience. I never realized how much I even needed counseling until I had one session with her. After just one session I was able to get SO much freedom and healing in the areas of childhood trauma , fears and insecurities, and I had clarity on the root issue and how to fix it. The next day I applied what we had talked about and saw change! Soo grateful for her! Highly recommend!!!!
Karolina Kovalev’s courteous demeanor and professionalism immediately brings comfort to her clients. She demonstrates an exceptional ability to listen attentively and provide insightful, helpful guidance. She is dedicated to helping clients achieve breakthroughs and helps them move towards healing in their lives. Her empathetic and compassionate approach, combined with a deep understanding of Christian principles, creates a safe and nurturing environment for growth and transformation. Karolina’s counsel is truly a tool of support and I highly recommend Karolina for anyone seeking compassionate and effective Christian counseling.
