Karen Hunter, LPC

Karen has always wanted to be a counselor, but she first thought she wanted to be a counselor of law. After working as a juvenile probation officer for nearly 20 years, she then realized she wanted to be a counselor of people. She returned to school to obtain a formal degree in counseling at the University of South Carolina where she previously had received her undergraduate in criminal justice and an earlier master's in public administration. For the past 20 years, Karen has been a school counselor and a part- time licensed therapist for the past 10 years. Karen served as the Director of Guidance for 7 years in a high school setting. She then was offered the opportunity to serve as the first full time school counselor at the district's alternative K-12 program. While developing the alternative program, Karen collaborated with USC professors and helped in implementing mentoring programs for the elementary, middle and high school levels. Karen also mentored and supervised USC counseling students for nearly 15 years. Karen continues to work with USC professors, as she presents and mentors to USC students in the psychology and criminal justice departments. Karen retired from the state and school system in June 2025 to become a full-time therapist.

She is appreciating the opportunity to work with SouthernMed/Sweetgrass and to continue her love of working with children and adolescents while expanding to work with young adults and older generations.