Kerry Makin-Byrd
ABOUT
Kerry Makin-Byrd is a clinical psychologist based in Wellington and Lower Hutt, New Zealand. Her mission is to alleviate the suffering related to trauma and facilitate post-traumatic growth. As a therapist, Kerry provides evidence-based therapies to address anxiety, depression, PTSD, and relationship difficulties. As a trainer, she offers local, national, and international trainings on ACT, leadership, wellness, mindfulness, compassion, burnout prevention, resilience, and grit to therapists, medical professionals, and industry leaders. As a mentor, Kerry provides guidance for leaders, helpers, and other professionals to help them address what isn’t working and build science-based skills to maintain an intentional, meaningful life.
Kerry received her Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University (USA), and subsequently received advanced training at the University of California San Francisco and Stanford University (USA). She has held professional appointments at the National Center for PTSD and at New York University (USA) and was most recently a founding psychologist at a venture-backed mental health startup.
She has served as a researcher and American national subject matter expert on trauma and PTSD, and has authored over 30 peer-reviewed studies, US Congressional reports, and clinical chapters on trauma and resilience. She received the Special Contribution Award from the US Veterans Health Administration in recognition of the national impact of her policy contributions and clinical teaching on US VA mental health services.
After a decade in academia, government, and Silicon Valley, she followed her entrepreneurial dream to establish her own business. In addition to being a clinical psychologist, Kerry loves being outside, animal welfare, and tramping with her husband and daughter.
Instagram: @drkerrymb Website: drkerrymakinbyrd.com
START HERE: A GUIDE FOR THE OVERWHELMED
Out November 2025 with Little Brown UK, Spring 2026 for US markets