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

Kari has a Doctorate in Social Work from Tulane University. Kari also has a Masters degree in Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, both from the University of Washington.

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 husband is chatting with strange women on Facebook — what should I do?

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?

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Ask Kari: Should I let my daughter’s boyfriend sleep at our home?

Ask Kari: Should I let my daughter’s boyfriend sleep at our home?

My daughter has returned home for the summer for college and she would like to have her boyfriend sleep at our home. My daughter feels that this is normal and acceptable because she is an adult and they have sleepovers at college. I am torn. I recognize that she is adult, but I do not feel that her ways of life need to be brought into our family home where she is still a dependent. What do you think I should do?

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Ask Kari: Should I allow my 15-year-old daughter to get a piercing?

Ask Kari: Should I allow my 15-year-old daughter to get a piercing?

My teenage daughter and I are fighting about her desire to get her ear cartilage pierced. She is 15 and feels that she can make her own decisions about her appearance, but I do not agree.  I feel that she needs to wait until she is 18 and an adult before doing something to her body that she may regret. Her 16th birthday is coming up and she is constantly asking me if I will allow her to pierce her ear as a birthday present. What do you think I should do?

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“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