Book Wellness Visits

I am a licensed psychologist with over a decade of experience working in the “trenches” of primary care with medical providers and residents. I’ve heard consistently that practicing medicine can be incredibly rewarding and draining – sometimes on the same day. I wholeheartedly believe that supporting providers through these ups and downs is critical to sustaining our health care system. While that support can take many forms, I have often found myself helping providers manage the consistent tension between their occupational calling, the toll it takes on their personal lives, and the concrete stress of daily clinical practice.
My approach to clinical care is both compassionate and practical. Each provider brings a unique experience and history, and I aim to help individuals function more effectively in their personal and professional lives as soon as possible. My focus is not on psychological labels but instead on helping people cope and get “unstuck” through evidence-based approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). If you’re interested in learning more, I’m happy to offer an initial 20-minute consultation call so we can determine together the best approach for your situation.
On a personal level, I love taking road trips with my family, coaching my sons’ sports teams, eating tacos, and watching soccer (the “real” football.)

I am a licensed clinical psychologist and have spent several years training and working in academic medical centers throughout New York City and Boston. After receiving my PhD, I completed a post-doctoral fellowship focused on the treatment of post-traumatic stress.

I have spent most of my career working in hospitals and understand the unique pressures of inpatient medicine, rounding on the wards, and caring for people with complex medical problems. I am passionate about partnering with healthcare professionals to foster wellness, resilience, and meaning in their personal and professional lives. Working in healthcare, there are many opportunities for exposure to traumatic events and I work with people to address the residue of this work.

In my spare time, I enjoy running, spending time with family and friends, and exploring all that New England has to offer.

I have worked in academic medicine and various healthcare settings including ambulatory care, emergency rooms, and community health centers as a licensed psychologist and dual diagnosis clinician. I am currently the Behavioral Health Director at Hawaii Island Family Medicine Residency as well as Professor Emeritus at the College of Health Professions at Pacific University in Oregon. I have extensive experience working with residents, physicians, executive management, and other health care professionals on implementing effective wellness frameworks, lifestyle management protocols, career/leadership endeavors, and psychotherapy.

I value cultural humility, anti-racist practices, and trauma-informed environments within systems of care. I enjoy living in Hilo, Hawaii with my three French Bulldogs, and love cooking and gardening; orchids are my specialty.

Dr. Katherine Buck is originally from North Carolina and trained at East Carolina University (Go Pirates!) in both Marriage and Family Therapy and Clinical Health Psychology. After finishing training in the Family Medicine department at the University of Colorado, she has been in Family Medicine residency education in Fort Worth, Texas for the past 5 years. In that role, she has been involved in training of medical students, residents, and behavioral medicine learners. Additionally, she has a strong interest in physician well-being and impairment concerns. Her clinical interests include couples therapy, sleep, and brief behavioral interventions. In her spare time, she enjoys watching football and any chance to go to the beach.

As a licensed clinical psychologist with 10 years of experience working side-by -side with primary care clinicians and specialists, I’m extremely passionate about meeting the emotional needs of medical professionals serving our rural and underserved communities. I earned my PhD from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 2010. Inspired by the intersection of medicine and psychology, I went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at Access Community Health Centers and University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics before venturing out to the rural Oregon coast.

When not working, my free time is spent hanging out with my daughter, engaging in creative pursuits, exploring the beautiful state of Oregon in my vintage truck camper, and traveling as much as time and funds will allow.

I am a licensed counseling psychologist and social justice advocate who is committed to promoting meaningful and inclusive spaces for diverse communities. My experience has been in community mental health and higher education overseeing community engagement, clinical training operations, and development of cultural competency among clinicians. With my intersecting identities, I aim to empower and tailor care for healthcare professionals to heal, build community, and create collective strength at the individual and systemic level.

As a daughter of immigrants, I am energized by time spent with loved ones, especially if it involves cooking and food! I also love being active with my dog Murphy and turning my home slowly into a plant filled space.