Trauma and PTSD therapists & psychiatrists in Kerrville, TX

Laura is a dedicated Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) with over a decade of experience in mental health care. She earned her Master’s degree with honors from Rowan University, and her clinical background includes inpatient work at a Neuroscience Behavioral Health facility as well as at the well-respected Dunn Behavioral Health Center. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of working with individuals across the lifespan—children, adolescents, adults, and seniors—addressing a wide range of mental health concerns. Her approach centers on providing compassionate, holistic, and collaborative care. She believes that mental health is a vital part of overall well-being and strives to create a safe, supportive environment where clients feel heard and understood. She works closely with her clients to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to their unique needs and goals. With extensive experience treating ADHD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, and more, she is passionate about helping clients find hope, resilience, and renewed vitality. Laura is committed to supporting individuals on their journey toward mental wellness, believing everyone has the potential to live a fulfilling and balanced life. Whether clients seek relief from specific challenges or aim to improve their overall mental health, she partners with them every step of the way to achieve their goals.

Life can feel overwhelming when anxiety, depression, grief, or self-doubt begin affecting your relationships, motivation, and sense of peace. You may be used to carrying everything on your own, showing up for others while feeling emotionally exhausted inside. I work with adults navigating stress, life transitions, loss, low self-esteem, and confidence struggles who want a space where they can finally feel heard, understood, and supported without judgment. As a bilingual therapist in Texas, I welcome clients from diverse backgrounds and believe healing begins with feeling safe enough to be fully yourself.

Seeking help can feel overwhelming, and I want you to know you do not have to navigate it alone. As a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I provide a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where you can feel heard and understood. I work with adolescents and adults facing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma, stress, and other mental health concerns. My approach is collaborative and personalized, with a focus on listening well, building trust, and creating a treatment plan that supports your overall well-being. My hope is that every client feels respected, encouraged, and empowered on their journey toward healing.

I understand that attending therapy can feel intimidating and overwhelming, and frequently, the most difficult aspect of the entire process is simply taking the initial step to begin. Nevertheless, you are here now, and you are officially embarking on your personal path to heal and rebuild. I genuinely welcome the chance to connect with you and discover more about exactly how I can support you. My personal approach is consistently warm, deeply empathetic, and highly collaborative.

Hey, I'm Kwanza. I graduated in 2020 from Johnson C Smith University with my Master's in social work. I have 4 years of experience working with children, adults, and families to overcome trauma.

I believe that my clients are the experts of their lives.

When holding space for clients, I provide a space where they can unpack their feelings, express their emotions, and develop skills to help them live a healthier life.

Experienced in providing care, interventions designed to promote mental and physical health. Empathetic, culturally competent and results oriented.

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.

As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, I provide compassionate, evidence-based care tailored to each individual’s unique needs. I believe in holistic treatment that addresses both the mind and body, and I’m committed to creating a safe, nonjudgmental space where clients feel heard and supported.

You should know:

• I listen first. Your story and your experience matter most.
• Collaboration is key. We’ll work together to find the right treatment plan—whether that includes medication, therapy referrals, lifestyle adjustments, or all of the above.
• I respect your pace. Healing is not a race. I'm here for you, whether you're taking small steps or big ones.
• Your identity matters. I provide inclusive care for people of all backgrounds, genders, and neurodiverse identities.

Above all, I want you to feel empowered in your mental health journey.