Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Springfield, VA

I have practice as a Licensed Professional Counselor since 2012 and I also hold the license for Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner.

I’m Karina Smith, LCSW, founder of Bloom Haven Therapeutic Services❀. I specialize in working with young adults and adults navigating anxiety, depression, trauma, ADHD, and life transitions related to relationships, career shifts, and family dynamics. I also support individuals experiencing the lasting impact of trauma or feeling stuck in patterns that are difficult to break.

My work is grounded in EMDR, DBT-informed therapy, somatic approaches, CBT, and mindfulness-based practices. I’m also an advocate and serve on the PAIMI Council for Disability Rights Florida.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia and a Healing-Centered Engagement Practitioner trained through The Flourish Agenda in California. I am passionate about helping clients build self-confidence and self-worth while making sense of life’s complexities. I have been serving clients as as mental health professional for five years in private practice, group counseling settings and experience in emergency services.

Life can pull us in a hundred different directions, and sometimes it takes slowing down, getting real, and having honest conversations to find our way forward. My approach is straightforward and commpassionate - no judgment, no fluff. I meet you where you are, walk beside you through the challenges, and help you rediscover your strength, clarity, and purpose.

Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming — and sometimes the hardest part is simply starting. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Art Therapist, and Master Addictions Counselor, I bring more than two decades of experience supporting individuals, couples, and families through some of life’s most challenging moments.

I have worked in community mental health settings for 18 years. I am skilled with the severely mentally ill population, and I have done significant work with children, adolescents and adults. I have moderate experience with autism and neurodivergence, as well as working with trauma and anxiety in this population.

Personal Statement

Trauma has a way of convincing you that you're stuck, broken, or always waiting for the next bad thing to happen. The good news? None of that has to be your forever. I work with young adults who are tired of just surviving. Whether you're dealing with PTSD, childhood trauma, anxiety, relationship patterns that keep repeating themselves, or emotions that seem to have a mind of their own, we'll figure it out together. My therapy style is anything but robotic. I show up as a real person, and I invite you to do the same. Therapy with me is collaborative, creative, and tailored to who you are.

As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I believe in prioritizing our mental health. My goal is make therapy feel approachable, empowering, and warm. I will meet you where you are on your life journey and collaborate with you on meeting your goals.

I’m a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Emory University. I bring over 8 years of clinical experience, including 4 years in medical nursing and 4 years in mental health care across inpatient, emergency, and outpatient settings.I also served as a nurse in the U.S. military, where I cared for active-duty service members, veterans, and their families. This experience shaped a steady, grounded approach to care, especially in moments of stress, transition, or uncertainty.

My path into psychiatry is both professional and personal. I moved to the U.S. alone at 17 while navigating complex PTSD and periods of misdiagnosis, which shaped how I understand mental health today. I began with a bachelor’s degree in psychology at Nankai University, then trained as a nurse and nurse practitioner at Charles R. Drew University and Purdue University.

Over the past 7 years, I’ve worked across medical and mental health settings, developing an approach that balances clinical precision with individualized care. I specialize in anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and complex PTSD, particularly for individuals who feel stuck or haven’t found relief in traditional treatment.

I’m licensed in California, Virginia, New York, Washington, and Oregon, and provide care via telehealth.

Providing therapy to individuals for over 20 years, as a Clinical Psychologist currently licensed in New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, and Virginia, I am also able to offer the convenience of telehealth services to individuals who work, attend school, and/or live in multiple states.

My practice is rooted in delivering high-quality, patient-centered care designed to help you navigate and improve your mental well-being. I believe in a comprehensive treatment model with evidence-based medication management and tailored interventions.

I specialize in treating depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, and the mental health complexities of chronic medical illness. My expertise also extends to sleep disorders, stress reduction, and dual diagnosis.

As a licensed counselor with over 15 years of experience, I have worked in a variety of different settings with those struggling with mental health and/or substance abuse issues. I graduated from Liberty University with a master's in counseling and practice as a licensed professional counselor as well as a licensed substance abuse treatment practitioner. I have worked in outpatient and inpatient settings.