Karen S Ingersoll, PhD

Karen Ingersoll, PhD, ABPP, is a board-certified clinical psychologist who provides psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and families. Her mission is to help people live well while they manage medical concerns.

“I think that real human connection is incredibly healing. I offer a listening ear and guidance to help people tell their stories,” she says. “I hope to help them find a better way to overcome challenges and develop the life they want to live.”

In her research, she studies the impact of counseling interventions and digital platforms that provide care for people with HIV. Some of her studies aim to prevent HIV and STI transmission. She also studies how to help women avoid drinking alcohol in pregnancy to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Ingersoll grew up in New Orleans, where she developed a lifelong love of live music and spicy foods.

She studied psychology at Louisiana State University and received a master’s degree in clinical and counseling psychology from Southern Methodist University. She completed an internship in clinical psychology at the Medical College of Virginia and earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Virginia. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in substance abuse medicine and clinical health psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University.

She is the co-author of two books and over 120 peer-reviewed journal articles. She served on the board of directors of the international Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers for 4 years. She currently serves as the director of UVA’s Precision Health Initiative.

Organizational Involvement/Memberships

• American Psychological Association
• Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers
• Society of Behavioral Medicine
• International Society for Research on Internet Interventions (charter member)

Gender

Female

Languages

French, English

Age Groups Seen

Adults (21-65)
Older Adults (65+)

Fellowships

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine

Certification

American Board of Professional Psychology (Clinical Psychology)

Additional Specialties

Psychology