Karla Burgess

I’m so glad you’ve taken this step to seek support for whatever you're facing right now. Reaching out for help takes courage, and I consider it a privilege to walk alongside people during some of life’s most difficult and meaningful moments.

My name is Karla Burgess, and I am a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) in the state of Nebraska. For the past 22 years, I have worked in both hospital and private practice settings, serving individuals and families in a rural community. Being one of the only mental health providers in my area has allowed me to gain experience working with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, behavioral challenges, parenting struggles, relationship issues, grief, and life transitions.

In addition to my clinical work, my experience as a school counselor has given me extensive support for children, teens, and adults from many different backgrounds and life stages. I strive to create a welcoming, supportive environment where clients feel heard, understood, and valued.

Clients often describe me as kind, compassionate, caring, supportive, and empathetic. I believe that meaningful connection is at the heart of effective counseling, and I deeply respect the trust clients place in me by allowing me to be part of their journey.

I look forward to getting to know you and helping you work through the challenges that may be standing in the way of your growth, happiness, and well-being.

My counseling approach is rooted in building a strong and genuine therapeutic relationship. I draw from several evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Solution-Focused Therapy, and Client-Centered Therapy. I believe counseling should be collaborative and goal-oriented, and I work closely with clients to ensure the steps we take together are helping them move toward greater healing, growth, and fulfillment.

Your first counseling session is an opportunity for us to begin getting to know one another and to create a foundation for the work we will do together. My goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment where you feel comfortable sharing your experiences, concerns, and hopes for counseling.

During our first session, we will review intake information, including your personal history, current concerns, emotional and physical health, relationships, support systems, and any previous counseling experiences. We will also spend time discussing what has led you to seek counseling at this point in your life and the challenges you would like support in addressing.

This session is also a chance for us to talk about your expectations for counseling and what you hope to gain from the process. Together, we will begin identifying goals and discussing how we can work collaboratively toward meaningful growth and positive change. I encourage honesty and openness, but I also understand that trust takes time to build. You are welcome to move at a pace that feels comfortable for you.

I believe the counseling relationship is one of the most important parts of successful therapy. My role is to support, guide, encourage, and challenge you in ways that promote healing and growth while creating a space where you feel respected and understood. Counseling is a collaborative process, and I value open communication, mutual respect, and teamwork throughout our work together.

Most importantly, I want you to leave the first session feeling heard, supported, and hopeful about the path forward.