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: My wife of 8 years won’t be intimate with me — should I give up?
I am at the end of my rope. I love my wife, but I am tired of living in a marriage with no intimacy. We have been married 8 years; I try and be kind and romantic with her, but nothing works to entice her into wanting to be intimate with me. How long do you think I should wait before giving up?
Ask Kari: What should I do if a loud colleague distracts me at work?
My colleague at work whom I share a wall with talks loudly on the phone all day. He frequently uses the speakerphone, which makes it that much worse. Closing the door doesn’t help. I have asked him to speak at a lower volume, but that only lasts for an hour or so before he starts up again. It is making my work day miserable; I can barely get my work done anymore because I cannot concentrate. What do you suggest?
Ask Kari: How can I talk to my best friend who suddenly backed away from our friendship?
I have been best friends with my friend Lisa for the past five years, but lately she has pulled herself away from me and I am not sure why. I have asked her if something is wrong and she says no, but I don’t believe her. We did start socializing with some other friends in our neighborhood a few months back, and there is one woman that I think talks badly about me behind my back to others including Lisa. But, I can’t believe that my best friend would side with someone else’s viewpoint over me. What can I do to get her to tell me the truth?
“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