NANCY KARACAND, MSW - COUNSELOR

My earliest work was with adolescents in detention facilities and treatment programs.  Since then, I’ve provided mental health assessment and treatment in a wide variety of settings, including; an inpatient psychiatric unit, a domestic violence/sexual assault program for victims, community mental health centers, employee assistance programs, family court settings, as well as in my private psychotherapy practice.  I received my B.S. Degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1976, and my Master’s in Social Work degree from the State University of New York at Albany in 1982. 

I began my career on the east coast and found my way to Alaska shortly thereafter, where I lived and worked for over 20 years.  During that time, I was part of a clinical supervision group that met yearly on the Oregon Coast for 13 years. In 2007, when I felt it was time to return to the “Lower 48”, the Oregon coast was easily my first choice. Shortly after, in September 2008, I opened my private practice in Astoria.  In July of 2018, I moved my practice to my home office in Warrenton.

In the late 90’s, I became interested in incorporating energy work into my practice and began studying and practicing Healing Touch, a form of energy healing developed by Janet Menken, a registered nurse.  In June 2010, I attended a 10-day training in Circle of Security, an attachment-based parenting program and co-facilitated a 20-week group for Family Drug Court participants in Clatsop County under the supervision of one of the originators of the model. Both of these modalities have significantly informed the work I do with clients in my practice.

After more than 25 years as a licensed clinical social worker, I retired my social work license with the state of Oregon at the end of September 2022, but continue to offer counseling/healing as an unlicensed professional. I see clients in my home office as well as offering virtual sessions.