Karen Burns is a clinical social worker and the Program Director for the North Carolina Psychiatry Access Line (NC-PAL) and NC MATTERS at UNC Chapel Hill. With over 15 years of experience leading clinical and research initiatives across healthcare, academic, and community settings, she specializes in maternal mental health, positive youth development, and systems-level strategies to expand access to care. Her work currently focuses on strengthening perinatal mental health support statewide through provider training and consultation. Karen also sees clients at Anchor Perinatal Wellness in Raleigh, where she provides therapy for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and supports parenting through attachment-based approaches. Karen is certified in Perinatal Mental Health through Postpartum Support International and is also a certified Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator.