Dr. Karen J. Abel
Karen J. Abel

"I am Dr. Karen J. Abel. I would like to tell you a true story: 'My family was poor. I grew up in a small town in Indiana and truly "lived on the wrong side of the tracks." Our home was located so close to the railroad that the house reverberated when the trains passed by.
Years pass. I start college "for real" later in life at the University of North Texas. I go on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology graduating magna cum laude, a Masters of Science in Counseling, culminating into a PhD in Counseling in August 2007.
A few years ago I was talking to my father (a classic blue collar worker) with a ninth grade education. My father was bent over the motor of his old pickup, his hands scarred by a lifetime of gritty, hard work. I watched him a few moments and then I asked a question,
'Dad, have you ever regretted not making much money in your life?'
I didn't think he heard me at first. His eardrums had been damaged by the roar of chainsaws over the years. But then he slowly backed out from under the hood and patted the pocket of his greasy t-shirt. He shook his head as if he had forgotten something and then reached into the right rear pocket of his old jeans. He pulled out the remnants of a billfold and looked at me and said,
'Never kept this close enough to my heart to matter much.'
In this troubled economy household budgets are tight and many people are now finding themselves having to make difficult spending decisions. Life issues are often placed 'on the back burner' or ignored because of the expense and/or lack of insurance coverage. This often negatively affects the quality of life for individuals and their loved ones.
Remembering my humble roots fires my passion to provide the highest quality of therapy, psychoeducation, and coaching for all people at reasonable, affordable fees. I can accomplish this through my extensive education and experience. I have presented on both national and regional levels of such topics as the therapeutic use of film, counseling and the terminally ill, and integrating technology and teaching. In adition, I have taught counseling and education classes for three universities and have extensive experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness.
My greatest honor in life is when individuals trust me to see their whole selves and know that I will accept them as they are. In order to provide service to all individuals, including those who might be unable or unwilling to come to my office, home visits within strict guidelines are available within Denton County only. Day and evening appointments are both available.

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