Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Baker.
Hi Karen , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up as a born-and-raised Austinite, I was surrounded by everything that makes this city special — amazing food, live music, and days spent on the water with loved ones or a good book. In was raised on Southern Hospitality and that mindset shaped me from an early age. My father has been a therapist for over 25 years, and growing up with a therapist dad was about amazing (and yes, he gives the best relationship advice), his work planted the seed. I knew I wanted to help people — I just wasn’t sure what that would look like.From a young age, people would often suggest how great I would be in sales. I am warm, charming, an excellent storyteller and can make anyone feel comfortable in a conversation. But after various corporate roles across tech, sales, and finance, I found myself feeling empty, exhausted, and misunderstood. I also discovered the hypercompetitive toxicity of “grind culture” and was disgusted at the inauthenticity of larger corporations and their lack of humanity. The one job that filled my cup was Liquid Psychologist — or as others like to call it, bartending. There was something deeply rewarding about working with my hands, making someone a *great drink*, serving a warm meal, and hearing about their day. It reminded me of what I loved most: connecting with people and making them feel cared for. Fast forward to May 2020 — at the height of the pandemic, I moved across the country to pursue a career in wealth management. Ten months later, Covid budget cuts left me unemployed, living in a state that didn’t feel like home, and one exam away from becoming a wealth advisor. After a series of existential crises (we’ve all been there, amiright?), I made the decision to go back to school to become a therapist — hands down the best decision of my life. Now, I run a thriving private practice in Austin, serving the city and community I love so much. There’s a concept in the therapeutic world called the “wounded healer” — the idea that we heal our own wounds by helping others heal theirs. That resonates with me deeply and is a big reason why I specialize in working with infidelity and betrayal trauma, religious trauma, and intimate partner violence. I hold profound respect for each of my clients, and love each of them dearly. It’s an honor to walk alongside them on their journey toward healing and self-discovery.Beyond therapy, I’m a lifelong learner — which I believe makes me a better therapist. I recently taught myself to crochet (my stitches aren’t perfect, but they’re mine), and I’m diving into sourdough bread making — Baker by name, baker by hobby! I’m a ADHD and Type A, which means my closet and the books in my office are organized by color but my night stand drawer looks like a small apocalypse of books, loose paper and messy half written in journals. And that’s okay — I believe therapy isn’t about perfection. It’s about showing up, embracing your humanity, and making space for your own story — messiness and all.I love this job more than I can put into words (and if loving your job were a competition, I’d win). Every day, I get to hold space for my clients, see them for who they are, and make sure they feel truly seen and understood. It’s more than a career — it’s a privilege.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have definitely been struggles to get to where I am today. Professional struggles, emotional struggles, relational struggles, I have sat in any open seat on the struggle bus. For the longest time, I certainly struggled with not listening to my own intuition. I allowed myself to be too heavily influenced by people around me, listening to what others thought I would be good at, what I should do and how I should make money, instead of listening to the small voice in my gut telling me to doing and becoming what I’ve always dreamed of. Now I struggle with imposter syndrome and my pride at the same time. In the span of one day, I will think to myself, I have no idea what I’m doing and two hours later I think to myself I’m absolutely amazing and kick A at this job. Which I recognize these two experiences as parts of me that each have stories, hurts, and experiences. After a lot of work, I now can hold space for both of these experiences at the same time and recognize that my feelings are valid, my insecurity, or my confidence is understood.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My areas of specialty attachment/relational issues, women’s issues, infidelity and betrayal trauma, and grief and loss. I also offer couples counseling for friendships. It is so easy to find therapeutic support for familial and romantic relationships but often our platonic relationships leave a bigger and longer impact on our lives.
I combine traditional talk therapy with powerful modalities like Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR), Emotional Transformational Therapy (ETT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Dynamic Enriched Experiential Psychotherapy (DEEP). These tools allow me to meet clients where they are — whether they need immediate relief from emotional pain or are ready to dive deep into self-discovery and lasting transformation. I am a Certified ETT Complex Trauma Specialist, an APSATS Trainee (Association for Partners of Sex Addicts and Trauma Specialists) and I have been a yoga instructor since 2013.
As a former coach and yoga instructor with a BS in kinesiology, I understand the mind-body connection in a way that helps clients process their emotions not just intellectually but physically too. I’m also a lifelong learner — constantly exploring new methods and approaches to ensure my clients get the most effective, compassionate care possible.
Most importantly, I’m not afraid to hold space for the hard stuff — the grief, the shame, the heartbreak — while still helping my clients find joy, humor, and hope along the way. Healing doesn’t mean erasing the past; it means learning to hold it differently. Most often the clients that find me are the clients that have been in therapy for a long while and feel like they have hit a wall in progress. They are ready for deeper work but might not know how to do that.
I’m most proud of creating a practice that reflects who I am — a strong Southern woman raised on hospitality and inclusivity — and offering a space where EVERYONE feel safe to be their authentic selves. I grew up in the friendly state, not the come and take it state not the don’t tread on me state. The Friendly State. That builds bigger tables instead of higher walls. My tagline, “Deep healing for the heart of Texans with an Austin vibe,” captures that spirit. I love that I can bring professional expertise and personal warmth into each session, helping people feel deeply seen, supported, and empowered.
I offer individual and couples sessions, virtually and in-person. I want readers to know that therapy doesn’t have to feel cold, clinical, or one-size-fits-all. That your therapist should adapt to what you need and if something isn’t working with your therapist, you are allowed to say that! Whether you’re processing trauma, rebuilding after infidelity, navigating a painful breakup, heal attachment wounds, or striving to improve your performance under pressure — I’m here to hold space for your story and help you move toward healing, self-discovery, and growth. At the end of the day, I believe therapy is about more than just surviving — it’s about reclaiming your life, rediscovering your joy, and embracing every messy, beautiful part of your story.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Oh god, yes! There are a few books that I wish I could get everyone to read, “My Grandmothers Hands” by Resmaa Menakem, “It Didnt Start With You” by Mark Wolynn, “What Happened to You” by Oprah Winfrey, Bruce D. Perry and “No Bad Parts” by Richard Schwartz.
Podcasts I love are; Poetry Unbound, Almost Heretical, Where Should We Begin with Ester Perel, Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, On Being with Krista Tippett, Oprah’s Super Soul, Unlocking Us with Brene Brown, The Moth.
— My father and I host a podcast called Bridging Generations: Exploring Mental Health Together. We also did a joint interview on how to parent through infidelity.
Pricing:
- $100 Individual sessions
- $200 Couples sessions
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karenfaithbaker.com/
- Instagram: https://www.karenfaithbaker.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kfb.therapy
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt6fKbc8WXoSQVued_IWN_Q
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/2j2YGtwqV5YHl56phhb2tj?si=20ceef16f8214711
