About Kerry
Hi, I’m Kerry. I’m a clinical psychologist based in Wellington and Lower Hutt, New Zealand. I grew up and was trained in the United States.
My mission is to alleviate the suffering related to trauma and facilitate post-traumatic growth. My fancy professional bio is down below but practically, I’m a warm, compassionate person who thinks
hard work is fun,
laughing and crying are both useful,
and our therapy/training/mentoring will include all of it: hard work, laughing, and crying.
I know a lot about a few things: psychology, trauma, resilience, burnout, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and intentional living.
More importantly, I’m on a journey just like you. I have struggled in my life, my marriage, my parenting, and in my job.
I have yearned to know more, feel better, and show up steadier for the challenges of life.
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FANCY PROFESSIONAL BIO
Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd is a fourth generation business owner.
As a therapist, Kerry provides evidence-based therapies to address anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship difficulties
As a trainer, she offers local, national, and international trainings on ACT, leadership, wellness, mindfulness, compassion, burnout prevention, resilience, and grit to therapists, medical professionals, and industry leaders
As a mentor, Kerry provides guidance for leaders, helpers, and other professionals to help them address what isn’t working and build science-based skills to maintain an intentional, meaningful life.
Dr. Makin-Byrd received her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University (USA), and subsequently received advanced training at the University of California San Francisco and Stanford University (USA). She has held professional appointments at the National Center for PTSD and at New York University (USA) and was most recently a founding psychologist at a venture-backed mental health startup.
She has served as a researcher and American national subject matter expert on trauma and PTSD, and has authored over 30 peer-reviewed studies, US Congressional reports, and clinical chapters on trauma and resilience. She received the Special Contribution Award from the US Veterans Health Administration in recognition of the national impact of her policy contributions and clinical teaching on US VA mental health services.
After a decade in academia, government, and Silicon Valley, she followed her entrepreneurial dream (and heritage) to establish her own business. In addition to being a clinical psychologist, Kerry loves being outside, animal welfare, and tramping with her husband and daughter.
| CREDENTIALS |
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Compassion Teacher for Compassion Cultivation Training, Stanford’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and the Compassion Institute
Board member, Kids Compassion Project
Elected Board Member to Women’s Special Interest Group,
World Association for Contextual Behavioral SciencePrevious professional appointments at the National Center for PTSD, Dissemination and Training Division and New York University
Postdoctoral fellowship at the Health Services Research at VA Palo Alto Health Care System with a joint appointment at the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University
PhD in Clinical Psychology, Developmental Psychology Minor from The Pennsylvania State University
Predoctoral internship at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF)