Karla Bullock, LCSW

Addictions and Behavioral Health Therapist

I’m Karla, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 25 years of experience supporting individuals from diverse backgrounds. I earned my degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Social Work. 

My approach is compassionate, practical, and nonjudgmental, tailored to each person. I integrate Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to help clients understand emotional patterns, shift unhelpful thinking, and create meaningful, lasting change. I also incorporate Motivational Interviewing and Mentalization-Based Psychodynamic Psychotherapy to strengthen insight, increase motivation for change, and deepen understanding of thoughts, emotions, and interpersonal patterns. I meet clients where they are and collaborate to build resilience, self-awareness, and growth. 

Together, we focus on developing effective tools to manage stress, regulate emotions, and improve daily functioning. This may include work on boundaries, grief, substance use and relapse prevention, communication, conflict resolution, and negative self-talk. I also incorporate mindfulness, grounding, self-compassion, and motivational strategies, offering new ways to understand challenges and shift patterns of thinking. 

I help clients identify their strengths, values, and goals while reducing shame and guilt, improving relationships, and building practical strategies to manage urges and high-risk situations. 

Outside of work, I enjoy staying active, walking my dogs, and spending time with my family. 

You matter—and I’m here to help you reconnect with your strengths and move forward with purpose. 

Specialties

• Substance Use and Relapse Prevention 
• Behavior Chain Analysis 
• Change Talk/Motivational Interviewing 
• Communication for Effectiveness 
• Identifying your strengths, qualities, and values 
• Effective communication and conflict management 
• Repairing relationships 
• Reducing shame and guilt 
• Providing effective ways to curb urges to use substances 
• Negative Self Talk 
• Problematic and New Ways of Thinking 
• Sleep Hygiene 

Types of Therapy

• CBT 
• DBT 
• Motivational Interviewing 
• Mentalization-Based Psychodynamic Psychotherapy 
• Harm Reduction 
• Psychotherapy 
• Person-Centered Therapy 

Who I Work With

• Adults with substance use and mental health issues

For more information about scheduling with me, please contact NewStart at 608-417-8144.