Dr. Karen M. O'Brien
I am a counseling psychologist who strives to make a difference through my work as a scholar, professor, and therapist.
Within counseling psychology, I have found a home in vocational psychology. My most significant scholarly achievement has been developing and implementing a theoretically-based and empirically tested vocational intervention for low income adolescents who are at risk for academic and occupational underachievement. With my colleagues and students at the University of Kansas, we provide hundreds of youth with skills to succeed in school and at work. My current research in vocational psychology focuses on advancing cross-cultural understanding of how women manage work and family in the United States, Korea, and Israel.
Interestingly, I now believe that of all my contributions to our field, the one that will be most lasting is that of teaching and mentoring doctoral and undergraduate students. My students have gone on to do important work in academia, counseling centers, private practice, and community organizations.
As a professor, I truly value the University-Community partnership that I developed with the Family Crisis Center of PG County. I teach a two semester course sequence where undergraduates learn, in the first semester, about research and theory related to domestic violence. In the second semester, students run groups for children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence. The students' struggles and greatest learning tend to be related to race, privilege and seeing life’s inequities.
As a therapist, I have been humbled by walking with clients as they struggle to make changes despite profound obstacles. For me, belief in the efficacy of therapy occurs in relationships with clients who develop the strength to improve their lives.
I feel very fortunate to have found work that is meaningful, interesting and hopefully makes a difference in the lives of others.
Within counseling psychology, I have found a home in vocational psychology. My most significant scholarly achievement has been developing and implementing a theoretically-based and empirically tested vocational intervention for low income adolescents who are at risk for academic and occupational underachievement. With my colleagues and students at the University of Kansas, we provide hundreds of youth with skills to succeed in school and at work. My current research in vocational psychology focuses on advancing cross-cultural understanding of how women manage work and family in the United States, Korea, and Israel.
Interestingly, I now believe that of all my contributions to our field, the one that will be most lasting is that of teaching and mentoring doctoral and undergraduate students. My students have gone on to do important work in academia, counseling centers, private practice, and community organizations.
As a professor, I truly value the University-Community partnership that I developed with the Family Crisis Center of PG County. I teach a two semester course sequence where undergraduates learn, in the first semester, about research and theory related to domestic violence. In the second semester, students run groups for children who have witnessed or experienced domestic violence. The students' struggles and greatest learning tend to be related to race, privilege and seeing life’s inequities.
As a therapist, I have been humbled by walking with clients as they struggle to make changes despite profound obstacles. For me, belief in the efficacy of therapy occurs in relationships with clients who develop the strength to improve their lives.
I feel very fortunate to have found work that is meaningful, interesting and hopefully makes a difference in the lives of others.
