Erin Kennedy (she/her)

Trauma is much more prevalent in our society than many people realize, and can have a profound impact on our physical, mental, emotional, and relational well-being. I personally define trauma as anything that overwhelms our ability to cope and creates a disconnection from the self. I specialize in treating developmental trauma, sometimes referred to as complex trauma, which is trauma that occurs early in life & in the context of our relationships with others.

Our early relationships with caregivers shape how we view ourself, our relationships, and the world. They shape our capacity for connection and our ability to regulate our emotions. Understanding our early experiences, including how they shape who we are today, is an important part of emotional and mental wellness.

Our society is the perfect recipe for burnout: we are bombarded with messages that we can (or should) be doing more, and taking necessary breaks to rest or play is often viewed as "lazy." What's more, the pandemic has further blurred the lines between work & home for many. Unfortunately, burnout has become normalized in our culture & sometimes even worn as a badge of honor. Together, we can help you develop strategies to create better boundaries & change your relationship with rest.

I believe our early relationships with caregivers shape how we view ourselves, our relationships, and the world. They also create our capacity for connection, emotional regulation, and our "attachment styles." Therefore, understanding these relationships & how they shape who we are today is the foundation of my work with clients.

I believe that early stress & unmet needs in childhood, also known as developmental trauma, are at the core of most psychological struggles. Thus, a deep understanding of early trauma & how it shapes our nervous system is interwoven throughout my therapeutic work. I utilize various trauma-informed approaches & techniques, including mindfulness, somatic awareness, the NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), & inner child work. I also attend the yearly Trauma Research Foundation Conference.

Interpersonal Neurobiology is the interdisciplinary study of how our experiences literally shape our brains. I have an extensive background in developmental psychology, including undergraduate coursework in lifespan development, cognitive science, and social & affective neuroscience, and a master's in human development & psychology from Harvard University. I continue my education through self-study, and have read most of books including in the Norton series on Interpersonal Neurobiology.