Kara Joseph, LICSW BCBC

Kara Joseph is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Massachusetts with over 25 years of experience in medical social work and psychotherapy. She is also a Board-Certified Bariatric Counselor through the American Association of Bariatric Counselors and a Poetry Therapist through the International Federation for Bibio/Poetry Therapy. Kara serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Poetry Therapy, published by the National Association for Poetry Therapy with Taylor & Francis Online. Kara conducts pre-surgery bariatric psychological evaluations, as well as providing ongoing pre-and post-surgery individual therapy along with support groups. Kara specializes in issues related to obesity and metabolic disease, disordered and emotional overeating, size stigma and discrimination (particularly in healthcare settings), body image and self-care, transfer addictions, avoidance-shame cycle in weight regain, and mood changes (including grief and loss) and identity shifts post bariatric surgery. These issues are addressed within a trauma-focused context and Kara utilizes a blend of evidence-based practices such as mindfulness based cognitive behavioral therapy, somatic awareness, and nervous system regulation, along with creative and reflective practices, such as journaling and poetry therapy.