Dr. Kara Mastrocola, Pre-licensed Psychologist, PsyD MEd

Personal Statement

Hi there! I recently graduated from Widener University with my doctorate in clinical psychology and my master’s in human sexuality studies. My passion is sex and relationship therapy, and helping clients explore and gain confidence in their sexual identities and romantic relationships. When it comes to sex, there is no “normal,” despite what our society tries to make us believe. I want to help you release any guilt, shame, or “hangups” you may have around sex, and provide a comfortable space for you to question and wonder what a pleasurable and satisfying sex life looks like for you. I also have experience providing therapy to college students and young adults, with issues ranging from stress and anxiety, to various traumas and mood disorders. I truly enjoy working with these issues as well, along with self-esteem concerns, grief and loss, self-harming behaviors, and developing healthier coping skills.

I believe that being human is a complex journey that comes with suffering, fear, confusion, unbridled joy, affection, and laughter. There is no perfect way to be human, but I can help you identify long-held beliefs and patterns that are no longer serving you. I will help you get in touch with those uncomfortable and incredibly vulnerable emotions so you feel freer to engage in behaviors and relationships that align with your authentic values.

As your therapist, I will strive to be genuine, nonjudgmental, and compassionate, but will also appropriately challenge you when necessary (this is when a lot of the growth happens!) I understand firsthand how terrifying it can be to admit you need help and take the steps just to set up an initial therapy appointment. I take pride in creating a safe and relaxed environment, and meeting my clients where they are. I tend to take a more active therapist role and view the client-therapist relationship as the most important component of therapeutic progress. I want us to work together as a team to fully understand what is working for you and what is not.

Lastly, I conduct therapy through a culturally inclusive lens, which often means confronting my own privileges and having intimate conversations with clients and colleagues alike around diversity and our country’s historically oppressive treatment of marginalized populations.

Qualifications

Widener University

Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

Master's in Human Sexuality Studies

Client Focus

Adults
Adolescents / Teenagers (14 to 19)

Specialties

Anger Management
Anxiety
Coping Skills
Depression
Divorce
Dual Diagnosis
Emotional Disturbance
Family Conflict
Grief
Infidelity
Life Transitions
Marital and Premarital
Men's Issues
Peer Relationships
Self Esteem
Self-Harming
Sexual Abuse
Sexual Addiction
Stress
Substance Use
Suicidal Ideation
Testing and Evaluation
Transgender
Trauma and PTS

Treatment Approach