About Me

* * Karen Baker is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate, Supervised by Allison Eckelkamp MA, LPC-S, RPT-S™, EMDRIA Approved Consultant * *

As a born-and-raised Austinite, I soak up everything this city has to offer—amazing food, live music, and days spent in the water with loved ones or a good book. I’m naturally extroverted and connect with others through food, music, and stories. In a past career, I was a Liquid Psychologist (a.k.a. bartender), where I loved providing someone with a warm meal, an excellent drink and hearing how their day went. In the South, hospitality is second nature, and as a therapist, I’ve made it my mission to share that same warmth and care—building bigger tables instead of higher walls.

I’m a little ADHD and Type A, so certain areas of my life are very organized and others are a total mess. I’m also a lifelong learner, which I believe makes me a great therapist. I recently taught myself to crochet—my stitches aren’t perfect, but they’re mine—and I’m diving into the art of sourdough bread (Baker by name, baker by hobby). I wasn’t always the most exceptional student, growing up. I had to work twice as hard as the other kids but I adored history and writing—two passions that inspired my love for people’s stories and the lessons they carry. 

I love my job more than you can imagine (it’s not a competition, but if it were, I’d win). One of my favorite parts of being a therapist is hearing my client's stories—seeing them for who they are, where they are, and feeling understood. Therapy isn’t about being perfect—it’s about showing up, and embracing your humanity, messiness and all.

Together, we’ll create a space where you can be fully, unapologetically yourself.

Professional Experience

I’ve supported diverse individuals through my work at YWCA Austin, where I gained experience in trauma-informed and culturally sensitive therapies, facilitated trauma-informed yoga, and co-led groups for sexual abuse survivors and neurodivergent individuals. I also trained with Texans Against Violence to address the complex grief of families with loved ones on death row. At Crossroad Counseling and Associates, I worked with couples and individuals navigating betrayal trauma and infidelity, focusing on emotional regulation and recovery.

Trainings & Certifications

  • Certified Yoga Teacher

  • Certified ETT Complex Trauma Specialist

  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing

  • Internal Family Systems

  • APSATS Trainee (Association for Partners of Sex Addicts and Trauma Specialists)

  • Authentic Relating Training

Educational Background

I hold a bachelor’s in Kinesiology with a minor in Psychology and earned a Master’s of Education in Counseling and Development in 2024 (graduating with a 4.0, I am very proud of that). My father, a therapist of nearly 25 years, and I recently launched the podcast Bridging Generations: Exploring Mental Health Together.

Cultural Resume

  • I consider myself an LGBTQIA ally. As the daughter of a gay man, I prioritize learning, listening, and asking questions to try to grow my understanding of the LGBTQIA experience and ways in which I can be a better ally.

  • I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood and witnessed racial bias in my community from an early age. Despite this not being taught in my home, deconstructing these unconscious biases is an ongoing process. I work to acknowledge my privilege, unlearn unconscious biases, and seek opportunities to advocate for those who have been marginalized.

  • I am unlearning the toxicity of Purity Culture and other shameful legalistic religious movements. I am a deeply spiritual person but I am unlearning various shameful religious teachings around power, politics, sexuality, gender, and gender roles.

  • I grew up in a white upper-middle-class family with deep connections to Evangelical Fundamentalist Christianity.

  • My privilege includes being white, able-bodied, cisgender, heterosexual, educated, English-speaking, and a naturalized citizen.

  • I am the daughter of divorced parents and have a large blended family.

  • Negative societal influences in and on my upbringing included racism, homophobia, gender discrimination, legalistic Christianity, and spiritual bypassing.

  • I have experienced intimate partner violence, betrayal trauma, and infidelity.

  • As a woman, I have experienced gender discrimination and bias throughout my life.