Kathlyn earned a Master of Arts in Psychology from Meridian University, Master of Arts in Human Services from Bellevue University, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Goddard College, and Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts and Certificates of Completion in Substance Abuse Counseling, Human Services, and Hawaiian Lifestyles from Hawaii Community College. Kathlyn is a Registered Psychological Associate under the supervision of Dr. Michael Summerlin.

Kathlyn’s areas of interests and expertise include ambiguous grief and loss, family estrangement, trauma, anxiety, depression, complex-PTSD, geropsychology, indigenous culture psychology, adverse childhood experiences, parenting, and wellness. Kathlyn’s therapeutic method is person-centered and begins with narrative interviewing, allowing clients the opportunity to be heard by telling their story at their own pace and level of comfort.

Kathlyn’s previous work and internship experiences include a pre-doctoral internship under the supervision of Dr. Oded Shezifi of Del Mar, CA, Outreach Counselor at P.A.R.E.N.T.S. Inc., Na’alehu, HI, practicums at Lokahi Treatment Center, Kona, HI, Bridge House Sober Living, Holualoa, HI, and Turning Point for Families domestic violence shelter on Hawaii Island. She has also worked as a pre-school teacher, cave guide, manager/owner of several businesses including retail stores and a 5-acre Kona coffee/macademia nut farm on Hawaii Island.

Kathlyn was born and raised in Southern California and, for most of the last 34 years, has lived in Hawaii immersed in indigenous island culture, education, and community participation.