The UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology welcomed Kevin Karl, Ph.D., to the faculty as an assistant professor in July 2024.
Karl received his bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Memphis and earned his master's and doctorate degree in clinical psychology from the University of Mississippi.
During this period, Karl conducted intervention research to address child obesity through a behavioral management token economy system in preschool classrooms.
He also completed his internship in Chicago with the Chicago-Area Christian Training Consortium, where he focused on child interventions in schools, including pull-out services for social-emotional learning and after-school group and individual psychotherapy programs. Additionally, he provided integrated behavioral health services in the pediatrics department of a local health center.
After graduating, he taught and conducted research at Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois, and Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. His research centered on the intersection of patient faith and psychotherapy, focusing on developing guidelines for effective interventions. While he found these roles rewarding, he was drawn to a more clinically focused position, ultimately leading him to the UAB Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurobiology.
Karl reflects on his journey to this new role and expresses his enthusiasm for contributing to the clinical environment in his new position.
What inspired you to pursue a career in this field?
Karl: Like many in the field of psychology, I was driven by a desire to help those in need. My focus was on preventive measures, with the belief that tackling risk factors early could prevent more serious issues from emerging. This naturally led me to childhood prevention, as addressing conditions like depression and anxiety early on can have a profound impact on individuals' lives.
What aspects of your new role here are you most excited about?
Karl: Although I appreciated my roles in teaching and research, my true passion has always been directly helping others through therapy. I'm also excited to bring my teaching experience to UAB, where I’ll contribute to the education of clinical psychology graduate students and resident psychiatrists through supervision and course conferences. Additionally, I am enthusiastic about the potential for community engagement and intervention, as I believe it presents meaningful opportunities to make a lasting impact.
What is your primary area of expertise, and what sparked your passion for it?
Karl: My primary expertise is in cognitive-behavioral interventions for adults and various behavioral interventions for children. I am passionate about these approaches because of their effectiveness, scientific rigor, and structured methodology.
Additionally, I have significant experience and a strong interest in the intersection of faith and psychotherapy. This passion emerged during graduate school when I encountered patients grappling with faith-related issues, which I initially found challenging to integrate into psychotherapy. This experience sparked my research in the field and led to my pursuit of a faith-focused pre-doctoral internship, which motivated my ongoing research and development.
What are your goals for making an impact through both your teaching and patient care in this role?
Karl: I aim to utilize my teaching expertise to foster an experiential learning environment at UAB. I believe applying concepts is crucial for long-term understanding and effectiveness in clinical practice.
In my clinical role at UAB, my goal is to positively impact patients and the community by catalyzing change, whether within the clinic or beyond.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’m excited to be part of the team. Feel free to visit my office (Sparks 925) for a chat if my door is open, or email me at kevinkarl@uabmc.edu to discuss potential collaborations.