About Karen

My Story

In 1993 I started my journey in becoming a family therapist at Kansas State University.  It is there that I found my passion for working with those who had been abused or traumatized.  I firmly believe with help and hard work, one can move past the trauma and emerge healthier, stronger, and more hopeful.  I started a partnership with HeadStart in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where we conducted individual, couple and family therapy.  I also conducted play therapy sessions with the children that were in need.

I continued my quest by pursuing and completing my Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Texas Tech University.  It was there I honed my skills for working with people who have been traumatized and added addiction and recovery to my specialties.  I worked at an alcohol and drug treatment center first as a Family Therapist and then as a full-time Addiction Counselor and family liaison. 

My life took a detour when I got married to a man with three boys and moved to Arlington, TX.  It is there I opened my first private practice.  I also worked for an insurance company where I specialized in EAP and triage services.  I also worked in private practice with military, both active duty and veterans, and first responders.  During my Texas years I added two girls to the family and my in-laws for a time.  We then moved in 2013 to Missouri where we plan to stay put.  That is where I created Lifemend LLC and am happy to be practicing therapy.