Karen Lai Painter
Welcome to the Law School, it’s so nice to meet you! Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your practice?
I’m super excited to be here! I enjoy helping others with identity development and embracing their intersectional identities. I am looking forward to working with graduate professional students. In the main CAPS office, I worked with graduate, professional, and undergrad students for the past nine years buy my role was a little bit different. I was one of their care manager clinicians, primarily helping students in crisis and with accessing care while keeping a small therapy caseload. I wanted more opportunity to work with students in therapy, and now I get to practice in two spaces!
I'm happy to see folks blossom, seek different paths, and pursue their interests and life passions. Being a part of that life journey is very appealing to me. I myself was a first-generation student of immigrant parents so I reflect on that experience to circle back and help foster others with similar backgrounds to navigate the supports and guidance that I wished that I had. It's a privilege for me to be able to hold space for students who want to discover more of themselves and tap into their own potential. I want students to know that this is a safe and inclusive space. It’s human to experience doubts and insecurities when applying to jobs, and being in competitive, high-pressured environments. Students have often found me naturally through friends and word of mouth, because I've worked with a lot people who don't fit into a mold. I enjoy working with marginalized folks. For eight years, I focused on increasing access for trans health care with the Student Health Gender Affirming Care multidisciplinary team, and two years ago, I facilitated the LGBTQ+ support group which was a highlight for me.
Given that background, do you anticipate having relationships with groups at the Law School like Lambda or the First-Generation Professionals?
I’m open to it! I don’t want to insert myself without being invited, but certainly if there is a particular topic, a need, or if an outreach would be helpful. I would like the opportunity to be able to get to know some of the folx at the School of Law.
Let’s take a step back from your professional role for a moment and get to know you a little bit! Where did you grow up, and how long have you been in Charlottesville?
I have lived in the Shenandoah Valley for my whole life. My parents were Chinese immigrants, who moved from NYC to the other side of Afton—they call it “the other side of the mountain!” I grew up around Mennonites in Stuarts Draft and it was a very different cultural experience, as I compared my upbringing apart from my city cousins. I remained because of my partner. Also, I love how accessible nature is and enjoy being in the mountains.
Outside of the Shenandoah Valley, what would you say are your favorite places?
I’m a big outdoors person. I enjoyed traveling once to Big Bend National Park. I love outdoor music, so I was really glad when festivals came back after they stopped for COVID. I like to unplug occasionally and go off grid and camp. I think maybe that’s what’s kept me in the Shenandoah Valley is the mountains—they’re beautiful.
What would be your dream destination?
There's like an ice hotel that I want to visit in Canada!
Do you have family in the area?
I have a spouse, a fifteen-year-old son, and a hound dog mutt, Jessie. She’s a sixty-one-pound lap dog.
If you won the lottery, what would you do?
I'm a foodie, so I thought if I won, I would have breakfast and share it. My plan will be to invite a lot of friends and to have breakfast in different exotic destinations. Each person could select their own favorite location to eat and share breakfast together.
That sounds amazing!
I am a big breakfast eater so I think I can eat multiple breakfasts, no problem. No problem at all!
I love that! Do you have a breakfast place recommendation in Charlottesville or in the area?
Since college, I’ve been a faithful Waffle House person! I also love fancy pastries. In Charlottesville, I recommend Marie Bette.
Circling back a little bit to your CAPS role, is there anything that you particularly want students to know about CAPS?
That we are confidential and accessible for students! Dr. Kate Gibson and I can provide a private 1:1 consultation to see if individual therapy makes sense given the concern or need. The first appointment is by phone and we can also explore if there are other options, resources or needs that could be beneficial. There is a new email address that law students can use for scheduling: caps@law.virginia.edu. We work hard to get students seen quickly, often within the same week or so.
Additionally, CAPS partners with TimelyCare for free, confidential telehealth, including psychiatry, which can be really helpful for keeping prescriptions up to date, which can be tough when you’re a graduate or professional student moving around.
We end up talking a lot about confidentiality in our Professional Responsibility classes here. Can you say a little bit about confidentiality in your role?
It’s very important! It’s the cornerstone of honesty and trust. If people don't feel safe, they're not going to disclose anything. We do not communicate with academics, unless there is a written consent or permission. Without permission, we cannot even acknowledge that we're seeing someone, it's that private. Our medical record system is shared with Student Health and Wellness Center (our primary hub). If students have concerns, (e.g. trying to get into high clearance jobs, or something else), we are transparent about discussing these concerns, so there is greater comfort in therapy.
The exceptions for confidentiality in therapy are as follows: (1) if there is an immediate danger to yourself or someone else; (2) if a therapist suspects child, elder or dependent abuse or neglect; and (3) if the court subpoenas records or there is a court order. That's pretty rare!
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Interviewed by Anna Bninski ‘23
caps@law.virginia.edu