About
About Kari O’Neill
Dr. Kari O’Neill, DSW, LICSW, has a Doctorate of Social Work and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Washington State.
Kari has experience working with a wide spectrum of patients. Among her areas of expertise are anxiety, depression, life transitions, new healthcare diagnosis, chronic health conditions, disability, intellectual and developmental disabilities, grief and loss, end of life support, family dynamics, parent/child relationships, and marital counseling. Prior to her employment at Swedish Medical Center as a clinical social worker, Kari worked in many social service settings including a rape treatment center, a health care clinic, and as a workshop facilitator for the Sibling Support Project at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Additionally, Kari completed her clinical trainings at the Seattle City Attorney’s Office as a child abuse advocate and served as an outpatient therapist at Swedish Family Medicine.
Kari is an interactive, solution-focused therapist. Her therapeutic approach is to provide support and practical feedback to help patients effectively address personal life challenges. She integrates complementary methodologies and techniques to offer a highly personalized approach tailored to each patient. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help them build on their strengths and attain the personal growth they are committed to accomplishing.
Education
License, Certifications & Awards
Kari is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the State of Washington (LW60313502) and an approved licensed supervisor in the state of Washington.
Additional Training
Kari has received additional training on anxiety, grief and loss, palliative care, challenging childhood behaviors, intellectual and developmental disabilities, geriatric mental health, and LGBTQIA+ issues.
Professional Activities and Memberships
Kari serves as an affiliated medical staff provider for Swedish Medical Center Issaquah. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the American Psychological Association (APA). Kari also writes a blog called “Ask Kari.”
office staff
Mandy Evans
OFFICE MANAGER
Voted an Issaquah Highlands Connections Newspaper fan favorite.
Ask Kari: How can we refuse an invitation to vacation again with our neighbors this year?
We have lovely neighbors who we spend a lot of time with. Last year they invited us to go away with them on vacation for a week and they have asked us to do the same again this summer. We really like them, but spending a week together full time last year was not fun for us. Our friends fought constantly about everything (the daily schedule, where we went to dinner, and how to take care of their children); it was exhausting and ruined our vacation. When we do things together at home, we just leave them if they start fighting, but that doesn’t work as well when traveling with them. How do you suggest we get out of this invite?
Ask Kari: How can I convince my mother to cut off my brother financially?
My older brother is addicted to drugs and alcohol. He has been using drugs since he was 14 and is now 44. He has been in rehab 8 times and is unemployed. He moved back in with my mom and is using her yet again for money, which she does not have a lot of. He lives rent-free in her house and takes what he needs from her. I have tried repeatedly to get her to see the light and realize that he is using her and that she is codependent to his drug habit but it all falls on deaf ears. How can I make my mother realize that he needs to be cut off?
Ask Kari: My husband is chatting with strange women on Facebook — what should I do?
I am so upset, I was paging through my husband’s Facebook page and I noticed that he chats with a woman I don’t know on his page quite frequently. When I asked him about her, he refused to engage with me. I feel that he owes me this information, since I am his wife. Now, I haven’t been able to think about anything else for the past week, as I am concerned that he is having an affair. What should I do?
“Kari’s support, experience, and expertise helped me directly to deal with a huge family problem. The jury isn’t in yet as far as the results of my actions, but at least I know I did the right thing for my family member. I am so grateful!”
–Patient