Meet Keren Israel, MHC Intern
Clinical Intern | Adult and Developmental-Disability Support
Hi, I’m Keren. I’m a second-year clinical intern with more than 20 years of experience supporting adults in behavioral-health and developmental-disability services.
Outside of work, I’m a wife, a mom of two, a dog mom, and the keeper of a small flock of hens. I enjoy baking, spending time with my family, and relaxing with a good series. In therapy, I bring that same grounded, practical, and down-to-earth energy.
Working With Keren
Areas of Focus
- Anxiety and depression
- Emotional regulation and coping
- Self-confidence and self-trust
- Boundaries and communication
- Relationship patterns
- Life transitions and overwhelm
- Developmental disabilities
- Behavioral concerns
Therapeutic Approaches
- Client-centered therapy
- Strengths-based support
- Practical skill building
- Emotional-regulation strategies
- Behavioral support
- Collaborative care planning
Who May Be a Good Fit
Keren may be a good fit if you are an adult who wants a warm, nonjudgmental space to work through anxiety, low mood, stress, or feeling overwhelmed. You do not need to arrive with everything figured out.
She also works with adults who want to strengthen their confidence, improve communication, set healthier boundaries, or understand relationship patterns that continue to repeat. Her practical approach can be helpful during major life changes or when everyday responsibilities begin to feel unmanageable.
Keren has extensive experience supporting adults with developmental disabilities and collaborating with their families and care teams. She may also be a good fit for caregivers seeking a clinician who understands behavioral support, service systems, and the importance of looking beyond behavior to identify underlying needs.
What Makes Keren’s Approach Different
Keren brings more than 20 years of behavioral-health and developmental-disability experience to her clinical internship. She understands that behavior communicates something and works to identify what may be happening underneath rather than focusing only on what is visible.
Her background includes residential services and work with people receiving support through the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. This experience taught her to collaborate respectfully with clients, families, and interdisciplinary care teams.
Keren’s style is warm, compassionate, practical, and steady. She helps clients identify what is within their control, recognize existing strengths, and build realistic coping strategies at a manageable pace.
Experience and Training
Experience With Developmental Disabilities and Behavioral Support
Keren has more than 20 years of experience supporting adults in behavioral-health and developmental-disability settings. Her background includes residential programs, behavioral support, family collaboration, and interdisciplinary care.
She uses this experience to understand the needs beneath behavior, identify practical supports, and help clients and caregivers approach challenges with greater clarity and curiosity.
Training and Credentials
- Second-year mental health counseling intern
- Master of Science in Clinical Psychology with a counseling specialization, Walden University, 2016
- Counseling practicum experience with OPWDD
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Hofstra University, 2004
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Connect with Keren to discuss your needs and determine whether working together feels like the right fit.