I’m a Licensed Psychologist and the owner of Kuehnel Psychological Services, PLLC. For over 15 years, I’ve worked with children, adolescents, and their families to provide social, emotional, behavioral, and educational support. Over that time, I have completed nearly 1,000 neuropsychological and educational evaluations, conducted school observations, participated in school Team meetings, led evidence-based social skills groups and parent training programs, provided individual and family therapy, offered workshops to local parent groups, published research in peer-reviewed journals, presented at regional conferences, and mentored undergraduate and graduate students. I’ve built an exceptional team here at KPS and look forward to partnering with families to support their children’s growth.
Prior to establishing KPS, my clinical journey took me to many settings. Born and raised in Massachusetts, I moved to Montreal to study psychology and behavioral science at McGill University, where I volunteered in a developmental disorders research lab, supported a program for high school students with learning disabilities, and spent summers teaching social skills and emotion regulation to children with autism spectrum disorders and other neurodevelopmental disabilities. I then pursued graduate training in school psychology at Michigan State University, an APA-accredited program, where I gained extensive experience in assessment, intervention, consultation, and research. During my five years there, I worked in elementary, middle, and high schools, hospital clinics, and specialized programs for children with autism spectrum disorder and traumatic brain injury. After earning my Ph.D. in 2013, I completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology and became a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts.
Evidence-based practice remains at the core of my work, with a particular focus on translating assessment findings into meaningful interventions. I stay actively engaged with research in neuropsychology, pediatric clinical psychology, and school psychology, using this knowledge to guide my work with families both in sessions and through written recommendations. I take a biopsychosocial approach, considering the complex interplay of biological, psychological, and social factors in children’s development, and I primarily operate from a behavioral framework, while also integrating cognitive-behavioral and solution-focused strategies.
While my passion for comprehensive evaluations and supporting families in understanding their child remains strong, my focus has also expanded to building the prevention arm of KPS. This includes annual wellness visits, progress monitoring, and proactive support strategies designed to equip families early, fostering healthy social, emotional, and behavioral development. My goal is to support children from the start, so they have the greatest opportunities for success at home, in school, and in their communities.
Outside of KPS, I enjoy running, hiking, camping, watching football, and cooking/baking. I live in Franklin with my husband and our three young boys, who keep me active, smiling, and laughing every day!
Dr. Kuehnel translates best practices into meaningful strategies for parents and students. Her expertise and deep understanding of complex learning profiles drive the day-to-day interventions that improve overall functioning for families. With the big picture in mind, Dr. Kuehnel can break down the skills your child needs into manageable steps to support lasting change.
Educational Advocate
Dr. Kuehnel attended my daughter’s special education eligibility meeting and everyone at the IEP table remarked how helpful Dr. Kuehnel’s report was in understanding our daughter and how to support her. When I shared the report with our pediatrician, she said it was the best and most thorough one she had ever seen!
Neuropsych Client
The testing is very thorough, and the comprehensive reports Dr. Ballou provided to our family were very detailed and easy to follow. Our behavioral health team at our pediatrician’s office and our IEP teams at school have also commented many times about how professional and helpful the comprehensive reports have been. It has assisted our family in developing appropriate action plans to help our children become the best version of themselves.
Neuropsych Client
Carolyn conducted a school observation as part of my daughter’s assessment, which was so impactful! My child’s presentation is particularly nuanced and Dr. Kuehnel was able to detect and highlight her struggles that were going under the radar. Her carefully synthesized observation report, combined with her very thorough and thoughtful formal report of my child’s presentation, proved critical in helping the public school system see our daughter’s needs.
School Observation Client
The report is a work of art! So beautifully captures our son and I think will be really helpful, most importantly for our understanding of him as a learner, but also over the next year as he prepares for high school. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Neuropsych Client
I cannot thank you enough for your presentation last evening. It was informative, engaging, and useful for the targeted audience. We had SEPAC members from three different towns represented in our small group last night, so I would definitely call it a success.
SEPAC Board Member
Thank you so much for sharing her neuropsychological report. We are beyond grateful for the time, care, and expertise that went into this evaluation. The report is incredibly comprehensive and provides a deep and thoughtful understanding of her unique learning profile. Your report not only affirms many of the strengths and challenges we have observed, but also offers new insights that will be instrumental as we move forward in planning the most effective supports for her.
Neuropsych Client
I thought you did a great job conveying the testing results combined with direct observations to help us understand what we are dealing with. We sincerely appreciate your diligence and efforts!
Neuropsych Client
I just wanted to tell you that we had the meeting to determine eligibility and the Team agreed that he should get services! We will be putting together the IEP in the next couple of days. We can’t tell you how relieved we are! Your excellent, thorough report had a lot to do with it. Thank you so much!!!
Neuropsych Client