Dr. Kelsy Richardson is a graduate of Fuller Theological Seminary with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and an M.A. in Theology and Christian Ministry. She is an alumna of Point Loma Nazarene University and has been back teaching for PLNU since 2015.
Dr. Richardson has done both short-term and long-term work with individuals and couples of all ages and from many different cultural backgrounds in university and private practice settings. She is a Registered Psychological Assistant (PSB94022012) working towards licensure under the supervision of Dr. Daniel Jenkins (PSY10627). She specializes in psychodynamic therapy that emphasizes the ability to have an integrated sense of identity as well as healthy ways of relating to others.
Dr. Richardson provides psychotherapy for a variety of clinical disorders, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, OCD, and interpersonal difficulties. Dr. Richardson’s clinical specialties include healing after trauma (child abuse, rape/sexual assault), faith/religious issues, gender & sexual identity. Dr. Richardson whole-heartedly believes in the potential for emotional growth and strives to provide a safe and warm environment in which clients can explore and thrive.
Education
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology
- M.A. Clinical Psychology, Fuller Graduate School of Psychology
- M.A. Theology and Christian Ministries, Fuller Theological Seminary
- B.A. Psychology, Point Loma Nazarene University
Courses Taught
PSY601 Issues in Psychotherapy: Theology Integration
PSY625 Multicultural Theories & Development
PSY627 Treatment of Children and Adolescents
PSY633 Career Development
PSY626 Counseling Theories and Faith Integration II
Experience in Field
Teaching Experience
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Three-quarter-time MACC Faculty, 2018-Present
- Point Loma Nazarene University, MACC Adjunct Faculty, 2017-2018
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Undergraduate Psychology Adjunct Faculty, 2015-2018
- Point Loma Nazarene University, Co-Instructor/Guest Lecturer, 2013-2015
Clinical Experience & Training
- Center for Enriching Relationships, Psychological Assistant, 2016-Present
- CSU San Marcos Student Health & Counseling Center, Pre-Doctoral Intern, 2016-2017
- Lighthouse Psychological Services, Psychological Assistant, 2015-2016
- Psychology Resource Consultants, Trainee, 2014-2015
- Vanguard University Counseling Center, Trainee, 2013-2015
- Fuller Theological Seminary, Psychology/Theology Integration Consultant, 2013-Present
- Fuller Theological Seminary, Trainee, 2012-2016
Dissertations, Presentations, and Publications
Publications
Sarah A. Schnitker & Kelsy L. Richardson (2018). Framing gratitude journaling as prayer amplifies its hedonic and
eudaimonic well-being, but not health benefits. The Journal of Positive Psychology.
DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2018.1460690
Research Experience
- Fuller Theological Seminary Research Lab, 2011. Master’s Research: Prayer Practices and Gratitude: Comparing Gratitude and Daily Hassles Journaling to Prayers of Thanksgiving and Supplication.
Dissertation: The Psychosocial Effects of Material Thanks-Giving - THRIVE Center for Human Development, 2013-2014. THRIVE Scholars Research Fellow
- Point Loma Nazarene University, 2010-2011. Research Assistant: Virtues of Relational Generativity: Empirical Tests of a Moral Intuitionist Model of Generative Care.
- Point Loma Nazarene University, 2009-2010. Research Methods Section I, II, & III: Intrapersonal Measures of the College Experience: Shame and Guilt
Presentations
- APA Division 36: Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Provo, UT Spring 2015
- Symposium: Richardson, Kelsy, M.A. (2015) Framing Gratitude Interventions as Prayer: An analysis of the well-being effect.
- Western Psychological Association Las Vegas, NV Spring 2015
- Poster Session: Richardson, Kelsy, M.A; Jazdzewski, Rebekah; Sirianni, Lindsey; Schaeffer, Kim. (2015) When Basic Needs Are a Bummer: How Focusing on Hassles Affects Your Life.
- Western Psychological Association Las Vegas, NV Spring 2015
- Poster Session: Richardson, Kelsy, M.A; Downs, Cody; Mejia, Viviane; Wood, Zachary; Hochman, Maxwell. (2015) God and Attachment: How Hassles About God Impair Relational Capacities.
- APA Division 36: Psychology of Religion and Spirituality La Mirada, CA Spring 2014
- Symposium: Richardson, Kelsy, M.A., Schnitker, Sarah, Ph.D. (2014) Prayer Practices and Gratitude: Comparing Daily Prayers of Thanksgiving to Gratitude Journaling and Social Gratitude.
- APA Division 36: Psychology of Religion and Spirituality La Mirada, CA Spring 2014
- Poster Session: Richardson, Kelsy, M.A.; Wood, Zachary; Murdoch, Juliet; Hills, Haplin; Grisowld, Kimberly; Schiff, Breanna; Hochman, Maxwell. (2014) Gratitude and Well-Being: Does the Type of Gratitude One Practices Make A Difference?
- Society for the Scientific Study of Religion Boston, MA Fall 2013
- Symposium: Schnitker, Sarah, Ph.D., Richardson, Kelsy, M.A. (2013). Prayer Practices and Gratitude: Comparing Daily Prayers of Thanksgiving to Gratitude Journaling and Social Gratitude.
- Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Denver, CO Spring 2009
- Poster Session: Richardson, Kelsy; Tyschen, Zachary; Schaeffer, Kim, Ph.D. (2009). Intrapersonal Measures of the College Experience: Shame and Guilt.
