Karley White (She/Her)

Associate Marriage & Family Therapist #118863

Supervised by: Jacqueline Plante, Director (CA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist #91084)

what is your role at Gather and Grow Oc?

We are in our Mental Health Awareness/Do The Work Era and I love it. Information about mental health and treatment is now easily accessible, and we are even able to connect with others who share similar mental health journeys. While information is incredibly helpful, it can also be confusing and overwhelming. My job is to help filter through all the noise so you may uncover your inner balance and unique life narrative. I aim to help you trust yourself, move beyond shame, make peace with your imperfections, and create a more authentic way of living.

school and training history

I completed my undergraduate studies at California State University Fullerton, earning a B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies with minors in Political Science and Criminal Justice. I briefly attended Southwestern Law School before deciding that a law career wasn’t a good fit for me. I spent a year working at a bakery and doing some soul-searching before being pulled toward the world of therapy. I returned to CSUF, this time as a counseling graduate student, and went on to earn an M.S. in Counseling. During this time, I completed my traineeship at the Orange Coast College Student Health Center, where I worked with folks from a wide variety of backgrounds and identities.

INDIVIDUAL FOCUS

I believe growth is best cultivated through curiosity, compassion, and collaboration. You are the author of your life story. I am the copy editor guiding you through a journey of exploration, understanding, and acceptance. I will encourage you to reflect on your values, relationships, behaviors, and aspirations to identify and deconstruct dominant “problem” stories while empowering you to live your preferred narrative. I also like to bring a sense of humor and playfulness into my work, and I especially love to incorporate my clients’ hobbies and passions into therapy. Are you an artist, musician, gamer, or really into a particular film series? Let’s talk about it! While I enjoy working with all kinds of concerns, I specialize in shame, sexual stigma, and men’s issues/masculinity. My other specialty areas include sexual entitlement/compulsivity, intrusive thoughts, narcissistic tendencies, and those navigating personal identity. I also work with couples experiencing conflicting sexual preferences and infidelity.

what excites you about being part of the gather and grow oc community?

I love that GGOC is dedicated to LGBTQ+-affirming, sex-positive, kink-positive, antiracist, and anti-ableist care. I believe that my role as a therapist also requires me to be a social justice advocate. Working at GGOC allows me to do that with others who are passionate about the same issues.

Currently scheduling clients Monday and wednesday between 11 am-6 pm and Friday between 1 pm-6 pm.

POSTS FROM KARLEY…

A Letter from Karley

Hello, fellow travelers!

First of all, I’m glad you’re here! Finding a therapist isn’t always the most comfortable experience, and I appreciate your willingness to sit with that discomfort as you navigate this part of your journey. I hope I can make this process more peaceful for you.

For some insight into my approach to therapy, I think it’s important to know how much I value the power of storytelling, specifically in one’s power to rewrite their story in a way that allows for authenticity and freedom from shame. The best part about being a therapist is sharing space with someone during this revision period, working together to construct a preferred narrative. To nurture this work, I strive to create a safe environment where my clients can explore their complexities without judgment. Within that safety, we can also begin experimenting with new stories.

I also love incorporating my clients’ favorites into therapy, i.e., favorite hobbies, songs, television shows, films, video games, books, etc. Because we use many forms of art and media to understand and connect to the world around us, I believe it can be a powerful therapeutic tool. I also just love nerding out about the things I’m into (horror films and creepy history), so it’s fun to see others light up in the same way.

I hope I’ve provided you with some understanding of my therapeutic vibe, but feel free to give me a call or email me if you’d like to continue the conversation. :)

~ Karley 

You can contact Karley directly at 714-202-7318 or karley@gatherandgrowoc.com. View other therapist profiles HERE.