

There are moments where each of us experience difficult and stressful points in our lives. Whether it's a painful divorce, the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, going through stress in a relationship, unresolved self-esteem issues, questions about gender or sexuality, dealing with a troubled child, family stress, or facing pain from childhood and/or adult trauma. Life can be hard at times; there is no doubt about that. I have come to view those challenging times that we all experience, albeit in different ways, as opportunities for us to make positive changes and adjustments - what I like to call "reset moments."
As a Licensed Professional Counselor, I rely on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to help move my clients to lasting change. I have experience working in schools, hospitals, and in my own private practice. Through individual counseling, we move from places of stagnation and fear into the amazing future that each of us deserves and I believe we can have.
I am always amazed at the strength and courage of my clients. It's never easy to take that first step, to commit to the process of change, to put in the effort to do the hard work, and to hope for more. We must always remember that each of us has the power to be who we are intended to be and to create the lives we want. I look forward to working with you...
I've worked with families and individuals in various outpatient mental health treatment settings.
I am able to provide counseling services in English and Korean.
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.


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