Muriel Kennedy

Muriel Kennedy, PhD is a self-published author, licensed clinical psychologist and independent clinical consultant with over 20 years of experience working with vulnerable children, youths, adolescents and families from a strengths-based perspective. Drawing on her PhD in clinical psychology, Dr. Kennedy has authored and published a heartrending and highly inspirational book series affectionately known as “the Jamaal series.” The Jamaal series collectively addresses challenges related to parent-child interactions, effective communications, peer relationships, decision-making, separation, loss and abandonment, forgiveness and reconciliation. The books in the Jamaal series are scenario-based, educational and instructive in nature with emphasis on the importance of resolving social-emotional challenges in context. The books in the Jamaal series include: Heart and Soul: Learning to Communicate through Thick and Thin, Speak to My Heart: Each One…Reach One, An Open Heart: The Power to Forgive, and Straight from the Heart: A Child’s Journey to Love and Be Love.

Dr. Kennedy received her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in clinical psychology from Howard University; and she received her Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of South Carolina. As a mechanical engineer, Dr. Kennedy was accustomed to researching, analyzing and identifying solutions to tangible problems; and as a licensed clinical psychologist, she effectively applies psychological principles, theories, methods, and techniques through direct clinical services, consultation, education, and research to solve problems of human suffering, adjustment, and emotional disturbance, in a proactive and preventive manner across diverse settings.

Dr. Kennedy has held several clinical positions to include working within public and private school settings, with the Baltimore Center for Child Abuse and Neglect – Child Advocacy Network, Commission on Mental Health Services/Department of Mental Health, Multisystemic Therapy Services, Inc. and Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency – Re-entry Sanctions Center. She also has held academic positions at Howard University and Argosy University where she served as an associate director of clinical training prior to joining the United States Army Reserve. With the extended wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dr. Kennedy was spiritually led to join the Army Reserve in 2009; and she subsequently deployed to Afghanistan where she served as office-in-charge of a forward combat operational and stress control clinic on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Upon returning to the United States, she served as a military and family life consultant and subsequently transferred from the Army Reserve to the District of Columbia Army National Guard where she currently serves as the State Behavioral Health Officer within the Medical Detachment, Office of the State Surgeon.

Dr. Kennedy has held numerous leadership positions to include serving as Chair of the East River Family Strengthening Collaborative, Inc. Board of Directors, National Treasurer, Convention Committee Co-Chair, Personnel Committee Co-Chair, and Convention Volunteer Committee Co-chair of The Association of Black Psychologists, Inc. Dr. Kennedy is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also is a member of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Largo, Maryland where she is actively engaged in several ministries to include the Pray Until Something Happens (Prayer) Ministry. She currently resides in Washington, DC; and during her leisure, Dr. Kennedy enjoys traveling abroad, listening to spiritually uplifting music and spending time with family and friends.