Kara Hokes

Kara Hokes

Kara Hokes

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Clinical Psychology

Kara Hokes is a doctoral candidate who works with Dr. Leah Adams in the Mental, Physical, Health, and Behavior lab. Kara is broadly interested in the dissemination of mental health care in marginalized communities. Her specific research interests include post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic illness, traumatic brain injuries, and sexual trauma.

She is currently the program director for the GMU Emotional Support Program, formally the COVID-19 Essential Workers Stepped Care Support Program. Kara works to increase access to mental health care for community members in the DC metro area. The program is made up of three distinct interventions: volunteer staffed emotional support line, brief intervention (1-3 sessions of tele-therapy) and long term care (1-15 sessions of evidence based trauma intervention).

Kara has completed clinical practicums in a variety of settings, including GMU's community clinic and the Washington DC VA Medical Center (Trauma Services Program). Prior to attending GMU, Kara gained clinical research experience through an online wellbeing intervention app and a crime victim advocacy center. 

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Hiram College.

Master of Arts, George Mason University.