About Karen

Karen Mershon-Lehman brings a deeply grounded, compassionate, and insight-oriented approach to therapy, shaped by her background as both a Registered Nurse and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with over 36 years of experience in healthcare and mental health.

She works primarily with adults, couples, and older adults, supporting individuals navigating anxiety, depression, grief, relationship challenges, chronic health concerns, and major life transitions. A central focus of her work is helping clients understand how early life experiences continue to influence current patterns, beliefs, and emotional responses.

Karen is especially passionate about supporting women as they move through different stages of life, helping them reconnect with their strengths, challenge limiting beliefs, and build healthier emotional and physical well-being.

Training & Credentials

• Registered Nurse (R.N.)

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC)

• Master of Science in Education, University of Dayton

• Extensive experience across private practice, hospitals/medical settings, community mental health, and schools/universities

• Training and practice in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

• Integrating mindfulness skills and beginning work in Polyvagal-informed approaches

Approach

Karen’s approach is client-centered, collaborative, and grounded in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness-based skills, and emerging Polyvagal-informed concepts.

She focuses on helping clients understand how their individual temperament, family dynamics, and lived experiences shape their beliefs about themselves and the world. From there, she works with clients to identify and gently challenge unhelpful or false beliefs, reduce negative self-talk, and strengthen emotional regulation and self-awareness.

Her style is supportive and steady, balancing validation with thoughtful challenge. She helps clients identify strengths, build insight, and develop practical tools for making healthier decisions and improving both mental and physical well-being.

What to Expect

Karen begins therapy by allowing clients to share their story at their own pace, creating space for comfort, trust, and openness to develop naturally over time.

She sees the therapeutic relationship as a partnership, where clients are supported as they explore past experiences, current challenges, and future goals. Sessions are guided by listening deeply, identifying strengths, and working together to build clarity and direction.

A Bit Outside the Office

Outside of her work, Karen enjoys spending time with her adult children and grandchildren, as well as close friends. She also enjoys interior decorating, reading, music, animals, and traveling to the ocean for rest and reflection.

A Note from Karen

Beginning therapy can feel vulnerable and unfamiliar, and that is completely understandable.

Karen encourages clients to start wherever feels easiest and to share at a pace that feels safe for them. Therapy is a space to explore, reflect, and grow with support, understanding, and patience along the way.