I’m a Licensed Psychologist at Kuehnel Psychological Services, PLLC. For over 10 years, I’ve worked with children and their families to strengthen communication skills, develop behavioral management strategies, and improve tools for self-regulation and the management of emotions. I’m constantly amazed by clients’ growth and resiliency and am so pleased to have the opportunity to support your family as well!
I earned my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from APA-accredited William James College (formerly Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology) located in Newton, Massachusetts. I have had the privilege of working alongside Dr. Kuehnel for many years, initially facilitating group programs for children with social and self-regulatory challenges under her supervision. Through Dr. Kuehnel’s ongoing mentorship, I completed both pre-doctoral and post-doctoral fellowships with a focus on neuropsychological and educational assessment. These areas have since become central to my clinical interests and practice. While I enjoy working with kids of all ages, I have a particular passion for supporting teens — who always keep me on my toes!
Prior to joining KPS, I trained and worked in a variety of settings, including Boston Public Schools, community mental health, outpatient clinics, and private group practices. During my pre-doctoral training at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Charlestown HealthCare Center and the Integrated Center for Child Development (ICCD), I provided individual therapy to children, adolescents, and young adults (ages 4 – 22 years) presenting with a variety of challenges including mood disorders and anxiety (e.g., Major Depression, Intermittent Explosive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety), as well as developmental, neurocognitive, and learning disorders (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, Specific Learning Disability). In addition to my individual therapy work, I have extensive experience facilitating group programs; discussion-based groups explored issues of healthy communication, relationship-building, and identity formation, while structured groups focused on social-skill acquisition and application.
Evidence-based practice and current research both inform my therapeutic approach and I firmly believe that treatment should serve the needs of the whole child, including their family. My goal is to support parents’ involvement in the therapeutic process and provide additional consultation regarding skill development and behavioral management strategies. As the old saying goes, “It takes a village!”
Outside of KPS, I live in Holliston with my husband, where we enjoy adventuring with our German Shepherd, Barney, and relaxing at home with our cats, Ghost and Buster. I also love staying active and spending time on arts and crafts projects, so our days are often filled with creativity, movement, and the joyful company of our friends, family, and furry loved ones!
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