Karima Nero-Woodfork, MSW, LICSW, LCSW-C, earned her Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Bowie State University, in Bowie, MD and her Master of Social Work degree from Howard University in Washington, DC. She is dually licensed by the State of Maryland and Washington, DC as a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker. Her education and career have always focused on her passion for working with children and families in the community. Karima has over 20 years of counseling experience in a variety of settings and with diverse clients, including long-term and brief clinical interventions, relationship counseling, teen mothers, autism support, adoption education, functional family therapy with families of teens as well as post-placement supervision, support and counseling for foster youth. Karima is a dedicated professional with strong organizational skills and attention to detail which is vital when assisting families through the various life altering barriers. Karima believes that change happens when people are given the guidance, support and information needed to draw on their own strengths and realize their potential to live fulfilling, happy lives. Karima provides an environment of compassion and support that assists individuals and families overcome obstacles, move forward, and thrive. She has most recently added to her credentials through extensive training and externship completion to become a certified Supervisory Functional Family Therapist. Achieving this certification created the opportunity to better support at risk youth and their families through intensive short-term, research supported psychotherapy that provides hope and change for families in need. Karima has focused a significant portion of her Social Work career as a tenacious advocate for children with special needs as well as Karima has over 23 years of personal experience as a married woman/homemaker and has successfully enjoyed the journey of parenting with three children: 1 productive adult, 1 recent college graduate and 1 precocious pre-teen. Karima believes the family is the fabric of your society and when necessary, weaving the therapeutic process around the family unit can help to resolve many familial conflicts. Karima specializes in engaging, supporting, developing youth, and guiding them into adulthood. As your Counselor Karima will be easily approachable, calming to interact with, highly experienced and well versed on various subject matters, non-judgmental, compassionate, and warm in her delivery to clients. Karima is prepared to work with you on the journey towards your desired destinations. Karima finds the most exciting part of this telehealth platform is the convenience of merging technology with clinical theory and training, which equals total convenience for you. No need to commute or leave the safety of your home. Karima’s Social Work philosophy is based on the premise that all people deserve mutual opportunities and respect. The most vulnerable client’s voices should be heard, understood, and connected with viable resources to maintain and increase hope for the future.