Kari Lannon, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist (VA - 0810005091)

I love being a psychologist! As a clinician experienced in psychological assessment, I find my job to be like a detective. I work with clients, families, medical providers, teachers, and other professionals to help put puzzle pieces together so clients can gain a deeper understanding of their functioning. My goal is to collaborate to help clients, and those supporting them, to develop a holistic plan with individualized recommendations and practical next steps to move forward in their journey. I assess children (ages 6 and up), adolescents, and adults with a variety of presenting concerns including trauma, mood disorders, cognitive functioning, intellectual capacities, attention and concentration, learning struggles, autism spectrum, eating disorders, thought disorders, and personality. I especially enjoy merging my roles as psychologist, teacher, and mother to assist children and families in the psychological assessment process. As a supervisor, I find it meaningful to train the next generation of psychologists in ethical and excellent clinical work including producing integrated, individualized, and comprehensive psychological assessment reports. 

Education and Experience: I received my PhD in Clinical Psychology and MA in Psychology from Fielding Graduate University, an MA in Psychology from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a BA in Psychology from Seattle Pacific University with a minor in Education. Prior to becoming a psychologist, I had experience teaching preschool through college in a variety of settings. During my doctoral clinical training I worked in collaboration with law enforcement and child welfare agencies to provide treatment and advocacy for children who had experienced abuse and neglect. As an intern I worked as a behavioral health clinician in a primary care facility with medical providers in an underserved community, and in a school setting running social emotional groups for at-risk urban students. I also conducted individual therapy with adults focused on faith integration, and presented at local churches on relationships, marriage, parenting, and mental health topics. 

My postgraduate clinical experience includes being a Director of Psychological Services, Student Training, and Assessment, as well as a Testing Coordinator. While working in those capacities I had the opportunity to evaluate children, adolescents, and adults with issues related to trauma, mood, cognitive functioning, attention and concentration, learning struggles, autism spectrum, and personality. I currently have an academic position as Associate Faculty at Fielding Graduate University where I also work as an Academic Writing Coach. Other professional interests include writing about mental health, relationship issues, and faith, and presenting for clinicians, educators, medical providers, parents, and other groups. I am certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Childhood Traumatic Grief (CTG). 

Clinical Orientation: I utilize an integrated approach, drawing on cognitive-behavioral theory (the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors), combined with a psychodynamic perspective focused on the importance of attachment in relationships. Over time I have developed an understanding of the impact of past trauma on current functioning as well as how personality patterns inform how people view themselves, others, and the world around them. I conceptualize people from a holistic perspective, and consider cultural, spiritual, physical, social, emotional, and psychological factors to be intertwined and relevant to the psychological assessment process. As a Christian clinician, I am hope-focused and able to integrate faith into clinical work when important to my client.