About

Hi, I’m Karen Lewis – a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Psychoanalyst, and Certified Grief Educator based in Bergenfield, Bergen County, New Jersey.

Why I became a therapist

I’ve always been drawn to the complexity of people – not who they present themselves to be, but what’s underneath. Early in my career, I realized that most of the people I worked with weren’t struggling because something was wrong with them. They were struggling because no one had helped them understand why they felt the way they did and the patterns that created these feelings. That’s what I set out to do. Over more than two decades of practice, that mission hasn’t changed.

My approach

I work from a psychodynamic and psychoanalytic framework, which means I’m less interested in giving you a checklist and more interested in understanding you – your patterns, your history, your relationships, and the unconscious forces that shape how you move through the world. That said, I’m practical. We work at your pace, on your goals. Some clients come for a few months to work through a specific challenge. Others work with me long-term because they want to go deeper. Both are valid.

What it’s like to work with me

Sessions with me are conversations, not evaluations. I’ll ask questions, listen carefully, and reflect back things you may not have been able to see on your own. I don’t offer generic advice or assign worksheets. What I offer is a consistent, confidential relationship where you can be honest – possibly more honest than you’ve been with anyone else. People often tell me they leave sessions feeling heard in a way they weren’t expecting, and this often opens the door to future discovery.

What I bring that’s distinctive

Two things set my practice apart. The first is my psychoanalytic training, which gives me tools to work with deep-rooted patterns – not just manage symptoms. The second is my specialization in grief, which most therapists treat as one topic among many. For me, it’s a distinct clinical discipline. Grief isn’t a problem to be solved. It’s an experience to be managed alongside other feelings – and knowing how to do that well takes specific, advanced training.

About my LCSW + Psychoanalyst credentials

In addition to my Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) qualification, I hold a Certificate in Psychoanalysis and have completed advanced training at the New Jersey Institute for Training in Psychoanalysis. This training enables me to work with and uncover deeper patterns and underlying causes – not just surface symptoms. If you’ve tried therapy before and felt like you were only scratching the surface, psychoanalytically-informed work may be what you’ve been looking for.

About my Certified Grief Educator credential

I am a Certified Grief Educator, trained under David Kessler – the world’s foremost grief expert and the author who introduced the concept of the “sixth stage” of grief: finding meaning. This credential means I have advanced, specialist knowledge in supporting people through loss of any kind – whether that’s the death of a loved one, a beloved pet, a miscarriage, the end of a relationship, the loss of a job, or any of the quieter losses that don’t always get named. Grief is not a disorder. It’s a natural human response – and it deserves to be treated with expertise, not just sympathy. To my knowledge, I am one of the few therapists in Bergen County holding this specific credential.

Ready to take the first step?

Reaching out to a therapist can feel like a big move. It doesn’t have to be. I offer a free 15-minute phone consultation so you can ask questions, get a feel for how I work, and decide whether we’re a good fit – with no pressure and no obligation.

Book a Free Phone Consultation →

Or call me directly: (201) 290-5550 | lewisk728@gmail.com

Serving clients in Bergenfield, Bergen County, and throughout New Jersey, New York, and Florida via teletherapy.

Credentials & Licensing

Full name:

• Karen Lewis LCSW, PsyA

Credentials:

• LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker)
• PsyA (Psychoanalyst)
• Certified Grief Educator

Additional Training:

• Psychoanalytic Training

Associations:

• National Association of Social Workers
• National Association of the Advancement of Psychoanalysis
• Clinical Social Workers Association
• American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work

Specializations:

• Anxiety – with particular depth in high-functioning anxiety in high-achieving professionals
• Grief and bereavement – credentialled Certified Grief Educator
• Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
• Trauma and PTSD
• Depression – including high-functioning and smiling depression
• Couples counselling
• Parenting support – including parents of children with special needs (Autism, ADHD, Asperger’s)
• Work stress, burnout, and imposter syndrome
• Conflict resolution and stress management

Education:

• MSW: New York University

Licensed in:

• New Jersey, New York, Florida

Location:

• Bergenfield, Bergen County, NJ

Teletherapy:

• Available for clients in NJ, NY, and FL

Practice type:

• Private pay

Contact:

• (201) 290-5550 / lewisk728@gmail.com