Melissa Kennedy
PHD
I am a licensed clinical psychologist. In the state of Washington, calling myself a psychologist means I have met specific standards in education and training set by the state. I earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Seattle Pacific University indicating I have in-depth training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness, as well as evaluation and assessment. I have passed national and local examinations, and stay current in the field through Continuing Education courses. I completed more than 5500 hours in supervised clinical work before receiving my license. I have worked with adolescents, adults, couples, and families in a variety of clinical settings, including local healthcare agencies, a psychiatric hospital, and a local psychiatric day treatment program dealing with all types of psychological challenges.
Prior to attending SPU, I attended Seattle University, where i earned a Master’s Degree in Existential-Phenomenological Psychology. This degree also required many hours of clinical practice, as well as a deep grasp of the contribution of philosophy to the understanding of human experience. My study at SU has significantly influenced my clinical work, bringing depth and richness to my understanding of others and their worldview. This training contributed to my work with individuals and families from all ethnic, cultural, religious and economic backgrounds.
My experience teaching and in the education field has also impacted my clinical work. For nine years, I was an instructor at Holy Names Academy, a private, all-girls, college-prep high school. I taught AP Psychology and AP Statistics, learning a great deal about adolescents and even more about the field of psychology. I often provided various trainings to other faculty and staff on topics of learning and education and served on various committees including Technology in the Classroom.
Additionally, I taught for three years as core faculty at Antioch University Seattle (2007-2010) and returned as affiliate faculty (50%) in the fall of 2019 and then was offered a full-time faculty appointment in 2020, and appointed to Core Faculty in 2022. I teach a variety of courses and provided training and supervision to many talented young psychologists-in-training. I have two areas of research focus: the Decolonial & Social Privilege Awareness Initiative and the Relational Lab & Consult Group.
My teaching and my clinical work are symbiotic and significantly inform one another. I am extremely grateful and privileged to have had the opportunities to find the work that is fulfilling.