Book a therapist or psychiatrist in Abilene, TX covered by Cigna

I've been a helping professional now for over twenty yrs. My career began as a Licensed Vocational Nurse/LVN working with those affected by physical health conditions. Additionally, my counseling background includes providing individual & group therapy to those impacted by suicidal ideation/thoughts, PTSD, mood disorders, grief and more.

I am genuine, compassionate, and dedicated to meeting you where you are on your journey. I believe in creating a safe, judgment-free environment where your voice matters. I honor your unique experiences and am committed to walking alongside you with empathy, respect, and encouragement. My approach is collaborative and personalized, drawing on my expertise and lived experience as a Black female clinician and veteran. I am here to support you, advocate for you, and help you discover your strengths as we work together toward your goals.

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.

I'm Tracy Skripka, a Licensed Professional Counselor with 28+ years in education. I support children, adolescents, and adults seeking emotional growth and practical tools for life. I specialize in creating safe, empathetic spaces to foster connection and resilience. I collaborate with clients navigating learning differences, family dynamics, and life transitions, helping them build meaningful change through compassionate, tailored support. Whether working through trauma, improving executive functioning, or developing emotional regulation, my goal is to meet clients where they are and help them grown from there.

As a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner, I believe everyone deserves a safe space to be heard, supported, and understood. Reaching out for help can feel overwhelming, but you do not have to navigate life’s challenges alone. I work with clients experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, mood disorders, and other mental health concerns, and I strive to create a warm, relaxed, and nonjudgmental environment where clients feel comfortable being themselves. My approach is collaborative, supportive, and focused on helping each person find balance, healing, and emotional wellness at their own pace.