Karen Hahn, Therapist
Acorn Counseling
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Karen Hahn
MSW ~ Therapist
Serving Maryland, Virginia & Washington, DC
"Who looks outside dreams; who looks inside awakes."
~ Carl Jung
Our Team
Child & Family, Adolescent, and Adult Therapist
Karen Hahn, MSW
LCSW, LICSW, LCSW-C
Karen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and child and adult therapist. She integrates specialized training in trauma-focused, attachment-based, child-centered play, and sand tray therapies with an eclectic blend of psychodynamic, cognitive behavioral, mindfulness, and other evidence-based approaches. Karen takes a holistic, biopsychosocial-spiritual approach, often incorporating expressive, right-brain techniques such as art, writing, and play to deepen insight and healing. She works with children, families, and adults navigating trauma, anxiety, depression, and life transitions, creating a warm, empathetic space that supports growth and connection.
Chief Canine Therapist-in-Training
Bluegrass
Bluegrass Derby is a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. She was named in honor of Karen's home state, Kentucky! Bluegrass was born on March 30, 2025, and she is quickly learning how to support clients during therapy. When not at work, she enjoys napping, hiking in Rock Creek Park and eating cheese.
Soft Coated Wheaten Terriers are considered hypoallergenic because they have hair instead of fur and do not shed, making them suitable for many allergy sufferers.
Canine Therapist In Memoriam
Truman
2012 - 2026
Truman was our first Canine Therapist, and greeted clients with tail wags, cuddles and a paw! He crossed the rainbow bridge on January 24, 2026, and we miss him dearly! "Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminshed." Dean Koontz
About Me
I approach therapy from a holistic, biopsychosocial-spiritual perspective, recognizing that everyone is multifaceted and has unique needs.
My goal is to create a safe and supportive space where we can work together. In this healing environment, I prioritize kindness, humor, and empathy to foster growth and well-being.
I have lived in Washington, DC since 1999, but was born and raised in Kentucky. I also lived in Sendai, Japan for 2 years in my twenties.
I enjoy hiking in Rock Creek Park, reading, playing the piano, baking, knitting and watching college basketball. I have two young adult children, and live with a well-intentioned Wheaten Terrier , Bluegrass.
Education and Training
Master of Social Work
The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC
Level 1 Trauma Certificate Program
The Ferentz Institute, Pikeville, MD
Master of Healthcare Administration
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health
George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences
More About Me
I offer holistic, strengths-based psychotherapy for adults, adolescents, young adults, and parents throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. My approach honors the multidimensional nature of each person through a biopsychosocial-spiritual lens, supporting emotional well-being, resilience, and personal growth.
Therapy is a collaborative and supportive process. Through trust, authenticity, and compassion, we create space for insight, healing, and personal growth. Exploring your inner world and embracing vulnerability can lead to deeper self-understanding and more meaningful relationships. My goal is to provide a safe, welcoming therapeutic environment where you feel respected, heard, and valued.
I provide psychotherapy services for adults, parents, young adults, and adolescents, offering care that is empathetic, culturally responsive, and tailored to your unique needs.
My therapeutic style is integrative and eclectic, drawing from evidence-based approaches such as psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness and meditation practices, attachment-based therapy, and other proven modalities. This flexibility allows treatment to be personalized, practical, and effective.
I help clients cultivate self-compassion, insight, and self-efficacy while exploring how life experiences, relationships, and patterns may contribute to current challenges. Together, we work toward healing in an environment grounded in kindness, humor, and empathy.
Supporting individuals through their mental health journey is an honor. At times we all need support ~ Remember, asking for help is brave!
Services
Therapy for adults, adolescents, children, those in relationships, families!
I work with clients who present with a wide vareity of challenges and issues, using an eclectic mix of evidence-based methods. This, in part, includes a blend of psychodynamic therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, meditation, attachment-based theory, and other evidence-based methods.
Below are some of the challenges I have experience addressing with my clients.
Adoption
Anger Management
Anxiety
Child and Family Therapy
Coping Skills
Divorce
Depression
Family Conflict
Feeling Stuck
First-responders
and Healthcare Providers
Grief
Life Transitions
Parenting
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Play Therapy
Relationship Issues
Religious Trauma
Self-Esteem and Self-Compassion
Sexual Abuse
Social Skills
Somatic Symptoms
Spirituality
Trauma
who are coping with the effects from the COVID pandemic
or sensing that something just "isn't quite right"
(both biological and adopted children)
(The perinatal period is the time from pregnancy through the first year after giving birth)
with no medical explanation
Individual Work
Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders
Child Therapy
Parenting Work
Relationship Work
Play Therapy
Play Therapy sessions are offered in-person in McLean, VA
Reasons to Consider Play Therapy
Emotional Regulation
Social Skills
Trauma
Increased Self-esteem
Strengthen Parent-child Relationship
Adoption or Foster Care Experience
Grief
Behavioral Issues
Life Transitions
Child play therapy is a way of being with the child that honors their unique developmental level and looks for ways of helping in the “language” of the child – play. Licensed mental health professionals therapeutically use play to help their clients, most often children ages three to 12 years, to better express themselves and resolve their problems.
Play therapy works best when a safe relationship is created between the therapist and client, one in which the latter may freely and naturally express both what pleases and bothers them.
"Your heart knows the way, run in that direction."
~ Rumi
Clients
I use a secure, HIPAA-compliant online platform (Simple Practice) to manage client scheduling, billing, and documentation. New clients will be sent a link to create a login to their secure portal.
Karen Hahn's practice does not accept health insurance of any form, and payment is due at the time of service. The practice sends you a monthly superbill that you can then submit to your health insurance provider for reimbursement.
I encourage you to contact your health insurance provider and learn what kind of out of network benefits they provide for the CBT code 90834, which is a 45-minute psychotherapy session.
You may contact me for inquiry about session rates.
Resources
Trauma
The Body Keeps The Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD
What Happened to you? : Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD & Oprah Winfrey
Perinatal Support
Contact
I welcome inquiries from prospective clients throughout Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Please reach out to learn more about services, availability, or session rates.
McLean, VA (in-person)
MD, VA & DC (telehealth)
