Meet Karolina Grotkowski Reed | Clinical Psychologist
We had the good fortune of connecting with Karolina Grotkowski Reed and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Karolina, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My private practice helps the community by providing a safe, supportive space for children, parents, and families to heal, grow, and strengthen their relationships. I specialize in working with children and families who have experienced trauma, major life stressors, and challenges related to parenting, behavior, and emotional well-being. By helping families build healthier communication patterns, emotional regulation skills, and stronger attachments, I aim to create positive change that extends beyond the therapy room and into homes, schools, and communities.
I also support individuals and couples during the transition to parenthood and throughout the perinatal period, which can often feel isolating and overwhelming. When parents feel supported and emotionally healthy, children and families are better able to thrive. Early intervention and compassionate mental health care can have lasting impacts across generations.
On a broader level, I believe mental health care helps create healthier communities and a more compassionate world. When people feel seen, supported, and empowered, they are more likely to build meaningful relationships, contribute positively to their communities, and break cycles of trauma. My goal is to help people feel more connected — to themselves, to their loved ones, and to the world around them.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My private practice is centered around helping children, parents, couples, and families feel more connected, supported, and understood during difficult or transitional periods in their lives. I specialize in trauma-informed care, child and family therapy, parent support, couples work, and perinatal mental health. What sets my practice apart is my emphasis on creating a warm, collaborative, and approachable environment while also using evidence-based treatments like TF-CBT, PCIT, and cognitive behavioral approaches through an attachment-focused lens.
I’m especially passionate about helping families navigate challenges that can feel overwhelming or isolating — whether that’s parenting stress, trauma, behavioral concerns, anxiety, relationship difficulties, or the transition into parenthood. I believe therapy should not only help people cope, but also help them feel empowered, connected, and hopeful.
Getting to this point professionally has definitely not been a straight or easy path. Building a private practice requires balancing the emotional demands of clinical work with the realities of running a business, all while continuing to grow personally and professionally. Like many people in helping professions, I’ve had to learn how to set boundaries, trust myself, and accept that growth often comes with uncertainty. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that authenticity matters — people connect most when they feel genuinely seen, understood, and cared for.
I’m incredibly proud of creating a practice that reflects both my clinical training and my personal values. I never wanted therapy to feel cold, intimidating, or overly clinical. I want people to feel comfortable showing up exactly as they are. I also feel deeply grateful to work in a field where I get to witness resilience and healing every day.
What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that mental health care does not have to happen only in moments of crisis. Therapy can be a place for growth, connection, prevention, healing, and self-understanding. My hope is that the work I do helps reduce stigma around seeking support and reminds people that they do not have to navigate hard things alone.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting for a week, I’d center the whole trip around beach life and relaxed Southern California vibes.
We’d spend a lot of time along the coast — Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach — walking The Strand, grabbing coffee near the water, and just hanging out on the sand watching the ocean. I’d build in slow mornings, sunset beach walks, and plenty of time to just unwind outside.
We’d also mix in a little exploring nearby coastal spots like Venice Beach and Abbott Kinney for good food, people-watching, and a more eclectic beach-town energy, but always coming back to the water as the main focus.
For me, the best parts of this area are simple: the ocean, the sunshine, and the ability to slow down and reset. That’s really what I’d want someone to experience most.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would dedicate my shoutout to the many mentors, supervisors, teachers, colleagues, and families who have shaped me throughout my journey as a psychologist. This field is deeply relational, and I truly believe that none of us do this work alone. I’ve been fortunate to learn from people who modeled compassion, curiosity, humility, and resilience, and those lessons continue to influence the way I show up for my clients every day.
I also want to recognize the families and clients I’ve worked with over the years. It’s a privilege to witness people’s vulnerability, strength, and growth, especially during some of the most difficult moments in their lives. They have taught me so much about resilience, connection, and the importance of feeling truly seen and supported.
On a personal level, I’m incredibly grateful for my family and close friends, whose encouragement and support made it possible for me to build a practice that aligns with my values. I especially want to recognize my husband, who is also a clinical psychologist. Having a partner who truly understands the emotional investment, responsibility, and meaning behind this work has been incredibly grounding and supportive. We’ve been able to encourage one another professionally and personally, and I’m grateful to have someone who shares both the passion for this field and the commitment to helping others.
Finally, I’d give a shoutout to the broader mental health community — especially professionals working with children, families, and perinatal populations. It’s meaningful work, and I’m grateful to be part of a field that is helping reduce stigma around mental health and making support more accessible and compassionate.
Website: https://www.drkarolreed.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_karol_reed/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567785962822
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
