Calleaghn Kinnamon, PsyD

Postdoctoral Resident and Neurodiversity Specialist
(they/she)

About

Calleaghn is the Counseling and Wellness Center’s Postdoctoral Resident and Neurodiversity Specialist. They approach each meeting with a client as a collaborative, supportive time to explore what’s up, what’s needed, and the best ways to meet those needs based on the client’s style, identity, and context. Sometimes that’s being present as a caring witness during a difficult time. Sometimes specific tools and approaches can be helpful, and they bring what they can to co-creating a space where change can happen. That can mean behaviors and circumstances change, maybe a kinder more understanding relationship with oneself internally, or getting connected with supportive resources.  

Professional Interests

Calleaghn’s primary interest is trauma: post-traumatic growth; cultural, historical, generational, personal trauma, and how they interact. They enjoy conducting psychological assessments, research, working with LGBTQ+ and neurodiverse populations. All of Calleaghn’s work is based in decolonial perspectives, as well as community and critical psychology. This means they tend to question assumptions, biases, and the status quo in mental health approaches and beliefs about wellness, and they look to Indigenous, Eastern, and other psychological models for a broader, more holistic and flexible approach to well-being.

Personal Wellness Strategies

I read fiction every day, even if I fall asleep halfway through the first paragraph. SciFi and Fantasy are my favorite genres. I also journal, meditate, play video games, and love to dance and skate. I have a committed spiritual practice and strong support system that I engage with regularly. Some mixture of these things and others will usually keep me afloat and then some.

“Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole (person).” - Maya Angelou

“Don’t wish me happiness. I don’t expect to be happy all the time … It’s gotten beyond that somehow. Wish me courage and strength and a sense of humor. I will need them all.” - Anne Morrow Lindbergh