Karen Patmas CEO of National Talent LA

Personal Bio

I currently own National Talent LA, a SAG AFTRA Talent agency located in Los Angeles. I am licensed Talent Agent.  I represent actors, writers, directors, and producers.

I had formal training as a model and acting in my teens and am an experienced international model. I have worked in print and runway modeling for over 25 years having appeared in and on many magazine covers both in the US and abroad. I also managed and ran a model mentorship group in the Pacific Northwest. I have scouted and trained models national and international. I have also assisted in producing and directing runway fashion shows.

In addition to my modeling and acting, I also hold a Masters Degree in Social Work and am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Washington State. I have graduate classes I management in leadership as part of my degree.  I have 20 years experience working as a behavioral health therapist in a variety of settings including a locked inpatient acute psychiatric facility and started a behavioral health department in a 350 provider multi-specialty medical group. I was instrumental in the development of that department as part of the team that hired and managed, reviewed and mentored colleagues. With my clinical degree, I am qualified to diagnose and assess mental health disorders and implement treatment plans.

I have trauma specialization beyond my clinical degree. I owned and managed a private therapy practice. I also worked as a manager in the case management division of Child Protective Services. I was a case manager in a locked down youth psychiatric facility managing caseloads and utilization reviews with insurance companies, while working with a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurses and behavioral health specialists. I led groups, created and developed curricula, family sessions, treatment planning, discharge planning and was a clinician in the ER of a hospital performing psychiatric assessments for admitted patients to youth and adult psychiatric units.

I had published a few issues of the magazine Belle Vie “beautiful life” in honor of my son who died in a car crash in August of 2017. (the magazine was created to represent his life and how he helped others and also always lived life to the fullest) the magazine was focused on helping people in the industry get exposure (helping and lifting them up) and also a dedication page to any parent who wanted to share about their child that they had lost. Once I got my SAG Franchise, I had to give up my magazine due to SAG rules of not being able to own another business. The magazine was sold to someone who is simply holding it and it still in negotiation of someone possibly taking in on to continue it. The agency is also a dedication to my son who helped others without hesitation.

The core valued of my agency are Ethics, Integrity, Transparency, Service, and Transformation.

I am honored to represent talent and excited to use my experience in managing and leading people to help lift others up.