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Department Hours
| Closed | 7:00 am
7:30 pm | 7:00 am
7:30 pm | 7:00 am
7:30 pm | 7:00 am
7:30 pm | 7:00 am
5:30 pm | Closed |
About Me
In 1998 I was offered a unique, combined position in the Departments of Psychiatry at Kaiser Oakland and Kaiser Richmond to develop new therapeutic outpatient programs for adolescents with the most serious mental health problems. I was able to use my prior professional background in health services program planning and development, as well as my clinical skills in child and family therapy to create the Teen Intensive Outpatient Programs (Teen IOP) at Kaiser Oakland Child Psychiatry and Kaiser Richmond Psychiatry. After nearly two years of providing the main clinical and administrative Teen IOP services at both sites, I was able to devote myself to my current full-time position as the Teen IOP Coordinator at Kaiser Oakland Child Psychiatry.
Kaiser has enabled me to pursue my commitment as a therapist to teens and families struggling with severe and sometimes life-threatening mental health conditions such as suicidal depression, bipolar disorder, psychosis, emotional dysregulation leading to self-injury, and post traumatic stress disorder related to abuse or other traumas. The Teen IOP serves some of the most high-risk adolescents; those who have had a recent psychiatric hospitalization or youth whose emotional instability could lead to an inpatient hospitalization without more support. The intensive therapeutic program provides a Teen Therapy Group, a Parents’ Support Group, a Multi-family Group, individual and family therapy and case management. We believe in comprehensive treatment which includes supporting parents through these difficult and stressful times with their adolescents. We view the involvement of parents in the therapy as crucial for the teens to stabilize, remain safe, make healthier choices and feel better about themselves. I hold a deep respect for the courage of the teens and families I see in therapy as we work together to overcome tremendous challenges and deal with life’s stressors and adversities.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, receiving my Masters in Social Work Degree from U.C. Berkeley, specializing in clinical mental health. I also earned a Masters in Public Health from U.C. Berkeley, with an emphasis in policy, planning and administration. I hold a B.A. in Urban and Rural Planning from U.C. San Diego. Prior to becoming a therapist, I worked overseas for the New Zealand Health Care System as a Service Development Planner. I have been involved in program development and planning at the San Francisco Dept. of Public Health, the New Jersey State Dept. of Health, and Bay area non-profit organizations. I have nearly 20 years of experience as a therapist, beginning with my internships at CPC Walnut Creek Child Psychiatric Unit and San Mateo County Child Mental Health. I have always been committed to serving the most high-risk children, and before coming to Kaiser, I was a therapist at Seneca Center’s Day Treatment Program, which provides services to children and teens with serious emotional and behavioral issues. In order for me to see a teen at Kaiser, the youth must meet the criteria for Teen IOP level services, that is, being at-risk for psychiatric hospitalization.
For fun and relaxation, I love being outdoors in nature whether it be at the beach or the mountains. I enjoy swimming, kayaking, hiking, camping and playing in the water, sand or snow with my child. I also like exploring the many cultural and family activities the Bay area has to offer and going on trips, far and near.
Karen Orsulak, LCSW
LCS17339
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