- Grief and loss
- Trauma and abuse
- Mindfulness and CBT
About Karinna
Karinna Johnstone is an AASW social worker with 18 years of experience supporting people through major life stressors. She focuses on grief and loss, trauma and abuse, anxiety, depression and compassion fatigue. Her style is collaborative and respectful; she helps people build practical skills and notice strengths they already have.
Karinna draws on client-centred and attachment-based ideas to make space for each person’s story. She listens for what matters most, and works with clients to set small, achievable goals. Sessions often include mindfulness and cognitive strategies to manage overwhelming thoughts and feelings.
She has a long background working with people facing disability, homelessness, addiction and parental conflict. That work shaped a practical approach to complex problems, including co-morbidity, caregiver stress and cancer-related concerns. Clients are invited to try gentle steps that fit their life and priorities.
Karinna pays attention to relationships and connection. She helps people tackle communication problems, commitment issues, codependency and attachment difficulties. She also supports those coping with ageing and geriatric issues, ADHD and neurodiversity concerns.
Expect a straightforward counsellor who uses narrative and solution-focused tools to reframe difficult stories. Karinna encourages small experiments between sessions and tracks progress together. She frames change as gradual and believes people can build resilience and confidence over time.
Karinna draws on client-centred and attachment-based ideas to make space for each person’s story. She listens for what matters most, and works with clients to set small, achievable goals. Sessions often include mindfulness and cognitive strategies to manage overwhelming thoughts and feelings.
She has a long background working with people facing disability, homelessness, addiction and parental conflict. That work shaped a practical approach to complex problems, including co-morbidity, caregiver stress and cancer-related concerns. Clients are invited to try gentle steps that fit their life and priorities.
Karinna pays attention to relationships and connection. She helps people tackle communication problems, commitment issues, codependency and attachment difficulties. She also supports those coping with ageing and geriatric issues, ADHD and neurodiversity concerns.
Expect a straightforward counsellor who uses narrative and solution-focused tools to reframe difficult stories. Karinna encourages small experiments between sessions and tracks progress together. She frames change as gradual and believes people can build resilience and confidence over time.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Relationship issuesFamily conflictsSleeping disordersParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCompassion fatigueADHD
Additional focus areas
AbandonmentAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceDrug and alcohol addictionEating and food-related issuesEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purposeMen's issuesMidlife crisisMoney and financial issuesMood disordersObsessions, compulsions, and OCDPanic disorder and panic attacksPersonality disordersPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSelf-harmSelf-loveSocial anxiety and phobiaWomen's issuesWorkplace issuesYoung adult issues
Therapeutic approaches
Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Mindfulness TherapyNarrative TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family SystemsSystemic Therapy
Experience
18+ years
Credentials
AASW · Australia
Languages
English
How Karinna’s approaches work in online therapy
Karinna uses attachment-based ideas and cognitive behavioural therapy in sessions. Attachment-based work looks at how past relationships shape current feelings and reactions and helps people develop safer ways of relating. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) focuses on spotting unhelpful thinking patterns and trying simple, practical changes to thoughts and behaviours that reduce anxiety and low mood.She also draws on client-centred and narrative techniques to centre the person’s experience. Client-centred work means the counsellor listens deeply and follows what matters to the client. Narrative techniques help people reframe their life story and notice strengths they may have overlooked. Deciding which approach to use is a joint process; the therapist will collaborate with each person to choose what fits their goals and preferences.
If you are considering online sessions, confirm the current session options before booking as formats are not specified here. Online work can make it easier to fit care around work, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also help people use mindfulness or homework tasks between sessions. Karinna will discuss what works best for you and adapt techniques to the online setting.
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Karinna commonly help with?
She supports people managing grief and loss, trauma and abuse, anxiety and depression. She also helps with stress, self-esteem, parenting and compassion fatigue.
How would you describe her therapy style?
Her style is collaborative and client-centred. She listens to each person's story and works on clear, achievable goals using practical techniques.
What experience does she bring?
Karinna has 18 years of experience as a social worker working across disability, homelessness, addiction and parental conflict. That background informs her practical approach.
Which credential does she hold and where is she based?
She holds AASW and practices in Australia.
Can sessions be held in languages other than English?
Sessions are offered in English.
Does she work with international clients?
International clients are not currently accepted.
How are fees and payment handled?
Cost varies with location and therapist availability; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
How do I begin if I want to work with her?
Select the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule according to therapist availability.