Kara Kolodziejczak

I am a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner with a Master of Science in Nursing from Yale University. I provide telehealth psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and therapy for adults in Florida and Connecticut.

Before becoming a nurse practitioner, I studied psychology and developed a lifelong interest in the complexity and deeply personal nature of mental health. I believe that no one is immune to struggle, and many of us are more vulnerable due to factors beyond our control. Providing support and treatment is what makes this work deeply meaningful to me. My initial interests centered on eating disorders and their frequent overlap with mood disorders. Through training, I also became interested in forensic psychiatry and personality disorders, both of which require looking beyond diagnoses and engaging fully in behavioral work and therapeutic approaches. My training spanned the lifespan, from children to older adults, and included working with special populations such as children in foster care, young adults in transitional programs, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those involved with the legal system or receiving psychiatric care while incarcerated.

Many of my patients seek treatment for mood disorders, including major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and cyclothymic disorder. I also treat schizoaffective disorder, substance use disorders, and eating disorders. My therapeutic approach often begins with education and awareness, particularly around substance use and disordered eating, helping patients understand why these behaviors occur and the purposes they serve. For behavior change, I frequently use motivational interviewing. When addressing mood concerns, I rely on cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to identify thought patterns, and I often incorporate interpersonal and social rhythm therapy to support those who benefit from structure and routine.

My therapeutic philosophy centers on relationships, both between you and me and between you and yourself. I strive to build an empathetic, supportive partnership where you feel respected, heard, and understood. I believe every person has the capacity for growth and change. Through motivational interviewing, I help you explore ambivalence and motivation while supporting growth at your own pace. My goal is to meet you where you are and guide you toward where you want to be. Above all, I want you to feel supported and understood. It is never too late to begin becoming a better version of yourself, and it is always okay to ask for help along the way. I utilize enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT-E) for eating disorders, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for borderline personality disorder and self-harm, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for addiction.

I am a Miami native who recently returned to Florida after completing my training at Yale University. Outside of work, I value time with family and friends, enjoy being outdoors, biking, cooking, reading, and spending time on the water. Cooking dinner is one of my favorite ways to unwind, though I admit that washing dishes takes away some of the fun. I especially enjoy walking the boardwalk at sunset. In the evenings, I usually end the day with either a book or a TV show, reading often being my choice, since it helps me fall asleep.