For most of my professional life I have been working with individuals who have experienced trauma, and who are struggling to manage their symptoms. As a seasoned clinician, I strive to provide culturally competent, trauma informed care to a diverse population of clients at all stages of the developmental spectrum. I specialize in providing a calm, warm, comfortable environment of healing, where my clients can begin to focus on their own healing journey, working at their own pace, starting wherever they are most comfortable starting their journey, and utilizing the treatment modalities that feel most comfortable for each client. I truly believe that each client must be in charge of their own healing journey, including being in charge of the pace and the way that we decide to approach their particular needs and issues. I have never and will never use a cookie cutter approach with my clients. I see my job as setting the stage and supporting my clients as their guide to a healthier life. I am trained in a variety of evidence based modalities, including cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy (EMDR), CBT for Suicide Prevention, Problem Solving Therapy for Suicide Prevention, Advanced Safety Planning intervention for Suicide Prevention, Integrated Behavioral Couples Therapy, Behavioral Family Therapy, mindfulness meditation, hypnosis, guided meditation, and similar skills to help my clients to grow and heal. I prefer to work with adults or older teens and young adults, who have some ability to make decisions about their lives. I've worked with men, women, LGBTQ individuals, parent's of LGBTQ individuals who are struggling to come to terms with their child's orientation, Military personnel, Veterans, first responders and similar individuals who have experienced trauma in their work or their day to day lives. I have also worked with and supported individuals who are facing end of life decisions and serious illness, as well as their caregivers. I am comfortable with most issues that my clients present, and I'm open to exploring any issue that is impacting my client.
I can interact with you in whatever manner you are most comfortable. I find it helpful to participate in video and telephone sessions so that we can get to know each other better. But I am also available to you via text or chat, if that is more comfortable for you. A majority of my availability is in the evenings and on the weekends, and I am located in CDT or CST, but I check messages at least once during each weekday.
I know how hard it can be to find a counselor with whom you feel connected. I would be honored to work with you through this stage of your life.
Right now I am seeking clients who are available during the evenings on Saturdays and Sundays in particular. I am located in Illinois, so my availability is CST.
Additional areas of focus: Addictions, LGBT, Family conflicts, Intimacy-related issues, Sleeping disorders, Parenting issues, Anger management, Self esteem, Career difficulties, Bipolar disorder, Coping with life changes, Compassion fatigue, ADHD, Abandonment, Adoption and Foster Care, Aging and Geriatric Issues, Attachment issues, Avoidant Personality, BDSM, Kink, Alternative Sex Culture, Blended Family Issues, Body image, Caregiver issues and stress, Chronic pain illness and disability, Co-morbidity, Codependency, Commitment Issues, Communication problems, Control issues, Coping with Natural or Human-Caused Disaster, Dependent Personality, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder (DMDD), Dissociation, Divorce and separation, Family of Origin Issues, Family Problems, Fatherhood Issues, First Responder Issues, Forgiveness, Gender Dysphoria, Guilt and shame, Hoarding, Hospice and End of Life Counseling, Impulsivity, Infidelity, Isolation / loneliness, Jealousy, Life purpose, Men's issues, Midlife crisis, Military and Veterans Issues, Money and financial issues, Mood disorders , Multicultural Concerns, Obsessions, Compulsions, and OCD, Panic disorder and panic attacks, Personality Disorders, Phobias, Polyamory / Nonmonogamous Relationships, Postpartum Depression, Post-traumatic stress, Pregnancy and childbirth, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Self-Harm, Self-love, Sex Addiction, Sexual Assault and Abuse, Sexual Dysfunction, Sexuality, Social anxiety and phobia, Somatization, Traumatic Brain Injury, Women's issues, Workplace issues, Young Adult Issues
Clinical approaches: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Emotionally-Focused Therapy (EFT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Gottman Method, Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, Trauma-Focused Therapy
IL LCSW 149010863
These quotes represent just a few of the many positive reviews that we have received for Karen Haggard. We don't pay anyone to provide their review and they are all made voluntarily. Some people's experience receiving therapy with BetterHelp might be different.
Great listener and give great advice on how to move forward with difficult situations
Written on Feb 14, 2024 after therapy with Karen for 3 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, parenting issues, self esteem, anger management, and adhd
Karen Haggard is wonderful! I am lucky to have her.
Written on Sep 20, 2023 after therapy with Karen for 3 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, family conflicts, and trauma and abuse
Karen makes me feel, safe enough to reopen old wounds, supported enough uncover unknown parts of my mind, kind enough not to judge, strong enough to accept me and experienced enough to help me help myself. I am beginning to have a lot of significant changes in my life and I am so grateful to have her here as I go through it all. She makes me act more like the person I want to be by helping figure out how to get closer to that person.
Written on Apr 16, 2022 after therapy with Karen for 7 months on issues concerning depression, lgbt, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, intimacy-related issues, sleeping disorders, self esteem, anger management, career difficulties, bipolar disorder, and compassion fatigue
I appreciate her being nonjudgmental, open, and her solutions do help.
Written on Apr 04, 2021 after therapy with Karen for 7 months on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, and intimacy-related issues
thoughtful, intelligent and caring counsellor.
Written on Dec 25, 2020 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, lgbt, relationship issues, family conflicts, self esteem, anger management, and career difficulties
Karen has been most kind and helpful in offering alternative tools to help with the issues I’ve been experiencing. I’m feeling more hopeful with her kind response.
Written on Dec 23, 2020 after therapy with Karen for 2 weeks on issues concerning depression, stress, anxiety, relationship issues, family conflicts, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting issues, self esteem, career difficulties, and coping with life changes