

As a licensed professional counselor, I believe living a fulfilled and rewarding life begins with being emotionally and cognitively healthy. Reaching out for help when things are challenging requires great strength, congratulations on making that first step. I have been practicing for 5 years, my focus in the last 3 have been towards women's issues, couples in crisis, grief and loss, sex/porn, and addiction just to name a few. I service clients ages 17 and up.
Prior to entering private practice, I worked for four years as a therapist with the Arizona Department of Corrections. This experience has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of mental health conditions to include stress, anxiety, and depression. I possess experience in working with individuals facing challenges, trauma, depression, anxiety, psychosis, personality disorders, substance use disorders, and gender dysphoria.
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience providing mental health support across diverse community settings. I have had the privilege of working with individuals ranging from young children to older adults, supporting them through a wide spectrum of emotional and behavioral challenges commonly described in the DSM-5-TR. I believe deeply in the inherent resilience and healing power within every person. My role is to help individuals uncover that strength, make sense of their experiences, and move toward healthier, more fulfilling lives. I pursue this work not for financial gain, but because I truly love what I do and feel honored to walk alongside others on their healing journey.
Karen Vargas, M.Ed., NCC, LPC
Karen Vargas is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a Master’s degree in Counseling from Sam Houston State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics from Texas Tech University. She is also a National Certified Counselor with over 13 years of experience in education and school counseling, working closely with adolescents and families from diverse backgrounds.
Karen believes that every individual has the strength and potential to grow through life’s challenges. She strives to provide a warm, nonjudgmental, and supportive environment where clients feel safe to share their stories and begin their mental health journey. Her approach is collaborative and compassionate- focused on helping clients recognize their inner strengths and build healthy patterns of thinking and behavior.
Drawing from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy, Karen helps clients manage and overcome challenges such as anxiety, depression, stress, past trauma, relationship issues, ADHD, and pre-/postpartum transitions. Her goal is to help each client improve their overall quality of life by developing balance between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
Bilingual in English and Spanish, Karen values connection and cultural sensitivity in her work, allowing her to reach and support a broader range of individuals and families.
Outside of counseling, Karen enjoys spending time with her husband of 14 years and their three boys. She loves running, being outdoors, and staying involved in her community. Her years working with at-risk youth and families-including those experiencing homelessness, foster care, and economic hardship- have strengthened her passion for helping others find hope, healing, and resilience.
Successful therapy begins by meeting the client where they’re at. As a clinical therapist with a background in social work, I believe therapy should be client-centered with a feeling of safety and trust. I pull techniques from various well-known therapies that are unique to the client's needs, acting as a guide, partnering with the client to find the best path to success. Some may need only one or two sessions, while others more. Regardless, this is a journey that we can figure out together.


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