Karen's Story

Get to Know Me Better

Karen J. Appel, MSW, LICSW, RPT-S is the owner/director of Inspirations Child and Family Therapy Center, LLC in New Ulm, Minnesota. She graduated with a Master's in Social Work from Minnesota State University, Mankato and is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Additionally, she completed coursework in Play Therapy and is a Registered Play Therapist - Supervisor. Her clinical fieldwork focused on play therapy and teaching social-emotional skills in an early childhood special education classroom. She incorporated the evidence-based program, the Incredible Years: Dina Dinosaur Social/Emotional Learning Program in a school setting. Her clinical research focused on training parents and teachers using the same program. She uses interactive approaches to psychotherapy including play therapy and sand tray therapy to treat the mental health needs of children, adolescents, families, and marital/couple relationships. She has expertise working with children ages 3-10. The mental health services provided include, but are not limited to, the diagnosis and treatment of anxiety disorders, depression/mood disorders, grief and loss, posttraumatic stress disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, adjustment disorders, reactive attachment disorder, parent-child relations, parenting/co-parenting relationships, children in foster care settings, divorce/blended families, disruptive behavior disorders, bullying/relational conflicts, and other emotional and behavioral disorders of children, adolescents, and adults.  She is a Minnesota Board Approved Supervisor for the Board of Social Work. She is also a registered presenter through the Association of Play Therapy. Her philosophy is that we are all lifelong learners who are never too young or too old to try (and achieve) great things! Through a person-centered, strength-based approach together with truly listening, caring, understanding, and validating peoples' concerns, great things can and do happen! Therapy can assist anyone seeking personal growth, symptom management, or healing from trauma.