She is originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico and was awarded her Ph.D. in Clinical & Health Psychology from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2003.

Her graduate research focused on anxiety, depression, and social support. Her doctoral dissertation investigated quality of life (cognitive and emotional) for heart plant transplant patients. 

She has been providing cognitive-behavioral therapy and conducting psychological evaluations for the past 6 years to a variety of patients in medical and community mental health settings in addition to industrial/organizational consultation in the workplace.

She completed her Fellowship in Palliative Care at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System and began private practice in May 2005. Dr. Karen is active in the Psychological Community in San Antonio and a past President of the Bexar County Psychological Association. 

Dr. Karen is the Consulting Psychologist at St Jude's Ranch for Children, a Residential Treatment Facility in Bulverde, Texas and St. Jude's Ranch Shelter for Young Children in New Braunfels, Texas.