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Karla Magnan
About
Hello and welcome! My name is Karla Bonkowski Magnan, and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, licensed in IL, FL and VT. My specialty for twenty years was High Conflict Divorce and Children's Issues, and I served families and parents in ways including Coparenting counseling, Parenting Coordination, Custody Evaluation, Court Testimony and reports.
In order to perform those duties, I conducted psychotherapy for children, individuals, couples, and adolescents. I have seen children as young as 5 years, and adults into their 80s.
I hold an undergraduate degree in Infant Mental Health (0-3 years) which includes all types and factors in the developing young human brain, especially Attachment.
In 2021, I switched my specialty to treating trauma, praying that if I could help heal those suffering from cPTSD, the healed version of themselves could function better across settings, including marriage, parenting, and living an authentic life free from the torment of of cPTSD.
I am also a Certified Yoga Instructor and Meditation teacher; an award-winning singer/songwriter, a multi-instrumentalist, a published poet and author, and an internationally-recognized dancer and choreographer.
I use an esoteric approach to treating my clients, always evidence-based, and as pragmatically useful as possible. I help clients correct automatic negative thoughts, use psychoeducation for clients to understand their circumstances, mindfulness techniques to re-regulate and cultivate serenity, CBT and DBT.
I operate from a strengths perspective and my superpowers are compassion, curiosity, creative interventions, and profoundly attuning to my clients' inner and outer states.
My motivation for working with autistic adults stems from a deep respect for the struggles my own son has experienced. He is diagnosed as high-functioning Autistic and ADHD as well. Every individual has the potential for resilience and healing, and those are made greater by a completely non-judgmental, unconditional positive regard. Acceptance is a luxury many neurodivergent individuals do not enjoy, and living without the basic need of acceptance being met is catastrophically damaging. It is my job to understand and attune to my client and their needs, accept them exactly as they are, and tailor my interventions to each unique individual.
I do this by deeply listening to what is, and what is not shared by my clients. I acceot and affirm who they are, identify and draw upon the client's strengths in addressing difficulties. I listen to what they need, learn who they are, and create a safe space for feelings and self-expression.
