Dr. Kara Friend is clinical psychologist who works with children, adolescents, and their families in the EBTCS Child Anxiety Center.
Dr. Friend’s preferred pronouns are per/pers (kind of like a shortened version of person); however, per understands how challenging the use of these specific pronouns can be. When speaking to per, please use whatever pronouns you feel most comfortable using.
Dr. Friend is passionate about working with children, adolescents, and their families. Per hopes to provide culturally responsive evidenced-based treatment to medically, psychosocially, and developmentally complex youths and families with anxiety, trauma, OCD, and related/co-occurring disorders.
Dr. Friend received per PsyD in clinical psychology from Pacific University School of Graduate Psychology where per received extensive training in cognitive behavioral therapy with exposure and response prevention, behavioral therapy, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and habit reversal therapy. In addition, Dr. Friend was fortunate to have the opportunity to engage in extensive training and experience related to providing care to gender diverse youths. Continuing to follow pers passion, Dr. Friend completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship within the Pediatric Anxiety Clinic at Oregon Health & Sciences University (OHSU), where per independently developed the OHSU, Pediatric Fear and Anxiety Clinic for Gender Diverse Youth.
In addition to building a strong foundation in anxiety treatment, Dr. Friend sought opportunities to build a strong skillset in working with a variety of pediatric populations within a variety of settings. Dr. Friend believes that training in hospital and inpatient settings, community mental health settings, school-based settings, as well as in-home and community-based care settings has given per a diverse perspective and broad skill set.
Dr. Friend is a member of several professional organizations, including the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF), Society of Pediatric Psychology (SPP), and World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH). Per is a licensed psychologist in the states of Washington and Oregon and is credentialed with the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. Per is also a member of PSYPACT with authority to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology (APIT).