About Dr. Karen Stewart

I earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology with a specialty in Behavioral Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). I completed a predoctoral internship in health psychology at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago and then returned to VCU for a postdoctoral fellowship in bariatric and transplant surgery care. I stayed on at VCU for several years as assistant professor in the Psychiatry department and then served as assistant professor in the Psychiatry department at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

I am a Clinical Psychologist with over two decades of experience in providing therapy services. I deeply value the opportunity I have through my work to help people understand more about who they are so they can grow into their purpose and live a life that they enjoy and find meaningful.

I have worked in the area of obesity treatment since 2005 and it has been my honor to assist people as they bravely navigate bariatric surgery, medication, and lifestyle changes that are all part of managing this disease. I am passionate about helping people establish a healthy lifestyle while disengaging from toxic "diet culture," and learning to take care of their bodies in ways that are self-loving. It is an honor to participate in this journey with my clients as I am also a bariatric surgery patient and know well the challenges of life in a larger body.

[Picture: me, smirking after realizing I have two pair of readers on my head while conducting my daily search for my phone. I found it!]

I have come to take a special interest in the struggles experienced by my clients with ADHD when it comes to prioritizing self-care. My own ADHD was misdiagnosed as anxiety in my 20's and we have come a long way in recognizing the reality of adult ADHD since then. I find I do my best work in helping people with ADHD recover their self compassion and recognize the strengths that come with their unique brain. We collaboratively examine the hard parts, practice forgiveness, acceptance, and chart a positive path forward.

Click below to learn more about the services I offer!