Prenatal and postpartum therapists & psychiatrists in Rockwall, TX

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 a relational therapist specializing in treating grief & loss, trauma, anxiety, depression, & parent-child relationships with adolescents & adults. Feeling stuck in a particular area of life such as your relationships, school/work, identity, or emotions? Sometimes we find ourselves repeating old habits that no longer serve us. I often work with individuals experiencing issues around shame and self-worth, who view themselves much harsher than the rest of the world. I offer room to explore these patterns with compassionate curiosity and supportive guidance for you to start trying something different – space for a new narrative.

To heal & move forward you first need to feel seen & heard. I listen deeply to carefully integrate different therapeutic approaches based upon what the individual or family needs from me. The human brain is hardwired for relationship & connection, so I work hard to build a safe space for us to explore, learn, & grow together.

There's a wealth of grit & resiliency inside each of us. It's my job to help you build on the internal strengths that already exist in you. Healing, growth, exploration, & change all take place in a secure relationship – including ours. Beginning therapy is an act of hope & a bid for health. Get in touch for a free 20m consultation & let's get started.

I'm a warm, inquisitive, and compassionate therapist here to meet you where you are. I use my education and training as well as my experiences to inform my practice and create a comfortable space for us to explore your thoughts and emotions.

Over the years, I have worked with diverse populations, including individuals recovering from acute trauma, childhood adversity, and postpartum mental health. My approach integrates evidence-based practices with compassionate, person-centered care, recognizing that every individual’s experience is unique. By tailoring interventions to each client’s needs, I create a safe and supportive environment where healing can unfold. As a licensed clinical social worker, I am deeply committed to helping individuals reclaim their strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Specializing in trauma-informed care, I bring expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to empower my clients on their healing journey.

I believe healing begins when we feel truly seen, heard, and understood. With 23 years of experience working with children, teens, and adults, I offer a warm and supportive space where you can share your story without judgment. Together, we'll explore the challenges bringing you to therapy, identify your strengths, and work toward meaningful, lasting change. You don't have to do it alone—I'm here to support you every step of the way.