“We first had an in person rather than an online visit for the first visit. This was invaluable to me. She is an excellent listener and responds in an experienced way. I plan to continue with her in the future and will feel that I know her in person and not just on line.”
Initials hidden
Excellent wait time
100% of patients waited less than 30 minutes
New patient appointments
Appointments available for new patients on Zocdoc
Book an appointment on Zocdoc
The office partners with Zocdoc to schedule appointments
“We first had an in person rather than an online visit for the first visit. This was invaluable to me. She is an excellent listener and responds in an experienced way. I plan to continue with her in the future and will feel that I know her in person and not just on line.”
Initials hiddenLess than 1 year ago
“Karen has been compassionate, understanding, and has given me research-based coping strategies to help manage my stress and emotions during a difficult season of life.”
More than 1 year ago
About Karen Watts
Focus areas
Bereavement / Grief Counseling
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Work-Related Counseling
Depression
Pediatric Anxiety
Disordered Eating
Therapy For Chronic Pain / Illness
Clientele seen
Children (<13)
Adults (25-64)
Teenagers (13-17)
Seniors (65+)
Young adults (18-24)
Individuals
Treatment approaches
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
Mindfulness-Based (MBCT)
Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
Motivational Interviewing
Exposure Response Prevention
Solution Focused Brief (SFBT)
Identity
Gender
Female
Languages spoken
English
Getting to know Karen Watts
Dr. Karen is a Certified Light On Anxiety Treatment Specialist and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) with a Master’s in Community and Family Counseling and her Doctorate in Education in Counseling from Northern Illinois University. She has experience working in both outpatient and inpatient settings and has a commitment to person-centered therapy. She has experience in assisting clients with stress, all types of anxiety, OCD, ADHD, insomnia, picky eating, grief, depression, panic, phobias and PTSD, as well as specialized training and clinical interest in helping clients obtain freedom from misophonia.
Dr. Karen has a particular passion for helping clients move past career anxiety, guiding them to overcome self-doubt and develop the confidence needed to thrive in their professional lives. She enjoys working with individuals seeking to discover their strengths and achieve career fulfillment, supporting them as they navigate transitions and challenges in the workplace.
Dr. Karen believes in using a strengths-based, holistic approach to working with clients and seeks to promote wellness through building positive psychological resources that strengthen resilience and optimal functioning. She combines her knowledge and experience working with CBT, DBT, and ACT to provide support and guidance to her clients during difficult times in their lives. Dr. Karen considers self-care to be a vital part of her practice and is herself an avid gardener. In both soil and with her clients, she loves to plant seeds and watch them grow.
“Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing.”“Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing.”
– William Butler Yeats
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Popular visit reasons
Depression
Hoarding Disorder
New Patient Visit
Pediatric Tics / Tourette Syndrome
Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit
Sleep Problems
Young Adult Issues
Depression
Hoarding Disorder
New Patient Visit
Pediatric Tics / Tourette Syndrome
Office location
Karen Watts, LPC also offers online video visits for patients
Northern Illinois University, Master's in Guidance and Counseling
Howard University (Bachelor's)
NPI number
1902534241
Patient reviews
All reviews have been submitted by patients after interacting with the practice.
Overall rating
4.85
Wait time
4.80
Bedside manner
5.00
Your trust is our top concern, so providers can't pay to alter or remove reviews. We also don't publish reviews that contain any private patient health information. Learn more here
34 reviews
Most relevant
I'm beginning to see where I need to concentrate on things differently. I'm very grateful for my therapist, Dr. K. Watts
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
I selected 8 because this was my first session. However, I felt safe with Dr. Watts. She was patient and offer me HOPE
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
The level of care and concern by Dr. Watts has been amazing. I feel seen, heard, and understood.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
I learn very effective skills and coping strategies to manage ocd and anxiety.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
The persistence in doing the activites to help better one's situation.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
My therapist asked good questions, analytical and empathetic.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Very thoughtful and caring service from Dr. Watts.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
We first had an in person rather than an online visit for the first visit. This was invaluable to me. She is an excellent listener and responds in an experienced way. I plan to continue with her in the future and will feel that I know her in person and not just on line.
Less than 1 year agoInitials hidden
Karen has been compassionate, understanding, and has given me research-based coping strategies to help manage my stress and emotions during a difficult season of life.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Karen Watts, my therapist, is fantastic. She is always professional and I genuinely believe she is committed to continually working with me across a variety of topics to improve my mental wellbeing, to create routines and thought-patterns to make me a better, less-anxious, and a happier version of my self. Karen is always doing research outside of our meetings and bringing new ideas and strategies for us to work on.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
I benefited a lot from working with my therapist.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Dr watts is great!
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
good service, flexible
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Dr. Watts has been outstanding with her recommendations and treatment plan for my daughter. My 13 year old daughter was initially skeptical that therapy could make her feel better about herself and manage her anxiety. She is elated that therapy with Dr. Watts has helped her to manage her anxiety and misophonia. She is feeling more empowered and confident and less anxious about life and relationships with others.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Dr Watts has been able to provide me with the skills I need to acknowledge and recognize my issues and how to work past them in the moment. She’s been tremendous in my treatment.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Dr. Watts truly listens to my items and challenges me when I need it. I’ve not had a therapist in the past truly help me to see why o do certain things and how to combat them moving forward.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
My therapist is amazing
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Everyone has been extremely accommodating to me. I have been able to get same-day appointments twice, and a new patient appointment with a psychiatric nurse practitioner within a week. That kind of immediate access to mental health care has been hugely important to me. And everyone I have worked with has been incredibly supportive and responsive to my needs.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Helpful tools in helping to manage anxiety
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Super positive and helpful therapist!
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
My children have worked with three therapists and all have been amazing. We are currently working with Karen Watts and she is so professional, wise and kind.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Actionable and empathetic therapy, well-organized administration. Quantifiable treatment plans. Most of all, an incredibly wise and action-oriented therapist, Dr. Karen Watts. Dr. Karen provided me tools to measure my anxiety and introduced me to new concepts such as Wise Mind which I will take with me. I will truly cherish the guidance and treatment I received from Dr. Karen. She is one-of-a-kind.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Great therapists, goal-oriented plans and sessions, and ease of finding the right therapist and making/changing appointments. It's also wonderful to have a practice with individual counseling for adults, children, and couples. It is the only practice I've found with so many therapy options in one place! It's wonderful.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
I have loved my experience with Karen. When I first started I was a little nervous about doing tele-appointments because I wasn't sure it would be the same experience, but I think Karen does an amazing job listening to me, providing perspective, and preparing in advance. I love that she can share materials on screen so they're in front me while we talk. I also feel meeting online has made it possible for me to continue longer than I would've otherwise because I can fit it into my schedule.
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Less than 6 months agoInitials hiddenVideo visit
Less than 1 year agoJessica L.Verified patient
Less than 1 year agoInitials hidden
April 30, 2025Jorge R.Verified patientVideo visit
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
More than 1 year agoInitials hiddenSource: Partner
Frequently asked questions
How soon can I make an appointment with Karen Watts?
Generally, Karen Watts has appointments available on Zocdoc within 1 week. You can see Karen Watts's earliest availability on Zocdoc and make an appointment online.
Karen Watts has 2 office locations in Chicago, view full addresses on Karen Watts's profile.
What are common reasons for patients to see Karen Watts?
Karen Watts frequently sees patients for Depression, New Patient Visit, Psychotherapy, Psychotherapy Intake / Initial Visit, and Sleep Problems. You can see other visit reasons for Karen Watts on their profile.
34 patients have reviewed Karen Watts. The overall rating for this doctor is 4.85/5. They have a 5/5 rating for bedside manner and a 4.8/5 rating for wait time. You can read individual reviews and ratings on their profile.