Dr. Kristin Penza specializes in psychological and educational assessments used toward developing comprehensive neuropsychological and educational evaluations. She maintains private practices in Norwell, Massachusetts, and Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
With over 20 years experience performing assessments, and as a graduate of Emory University Medical School and University of Oregon, specializing in psychiatric assessment and cognitive behavioral therapy, Dr. Penza is currently serving as private practitioner. She works with a broad spectrum of clients. Among her areas of expertise are Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Concussions and Post-Concussive Disorder, Neurological Lyme Disease, Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Communication Disorders, and Learning Disorders.
In addition to being a prominent psychologist, Dr. Penza has presented at national conferences speaking on the topics of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), biological responses to stress, and the effects of stress as a precursor to psychiatric disorders.
Dr. Penza utilizes a supportive and practical approach. With compassion and understanding, she works with each individual to help identify and build on strengths as well as identify and make recommendations in other areas toward attaining personal growth that the client and his/her family are committed to accomplishing.
Education- Emory University Medical School, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Post-Doctoral Internship
- Boston Consortium in Clinical Psychology (VA Boston Healthcare System and Boston University Medical School), Pre-Doctoral Internship
- University of Oregon, Doctorate and Master's Degrees
- University of Washington, Bachelor's Degree of Arts in Psychology With Distinction
- Villanova Univeristy, Bachelor's Degree of Science in Civil Engineering
Licenses
Massachusetts, Health Service Provider
Rhode Island, Health Service Provider
Additional Trainin g/ Continuing Education:
- International Lyme and Associated Diseases (ILADS), 2017, Boston, MA
- Neuropsychological Assessment (National Academy of Neuropsychology, 2017, Boston, MA)
- Attention-Deficit and the Processing Disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V)
- Forensic Psychology
Professional Activities and Memberships
Massachusetts Neuropsychological Society (MNS), Member
Massachusetts Psychological Association, Memb er
Papers and Presentations
Penza, KM, Heim, C, & Nemeroff, CB (2006). Trauma and Depression. In Handbook for the Study of Women and Depression: Social, Political, and Economic Models of Risk . Corey Keyes, PhD & Sheryl Goodman, PhD (Eds), pp. 360-380.
Schwartz, AC, Bradley, R, Penza, KM, Sexton, M, Jay, D, Haggard, PJ, Garlow, SJ, & Ressler, KJ (2006). Pain Medication Use Among Patients with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. Psychosomatics, 47(2): 136-42.
Penza, KM, Heim, C, & Nemeroff, CB (2005). Loss and Deprivation: From Animal Models to Clinical Presentation. In Biology of Depression: Towards a Novel Understanding and Therapeutic Strategies . Julio Licinio, MD & Ma-Li Wong, MD (Eds), pp. 689-714.
Penza, KM, Heim, C, & Nemeroff, CB (2003). Neurobiological Effects of Childhood Abuse: Implications for the Pathophysiology of Depression and Anxiety. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 6(1): 15-22.
Schwartz, AC, Penza, KM, Bradley, R, Ressler, KJ, & Sherry, A (2003). Prevalence and Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Among Low SES, Urban, African-Americans. American Psychological Society, Atlanta, Georgia.
Penza, KM, Collins, PF, & Simons, AD (2003). History of Childhood Abuse and Recent Life Stress Among Depressed and Never-Depressed women. International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology, Rockefeller University, New York, New York.
Penza, KM, Quiring, J, Harkness, KL, Simons, AD, & Monroe, SM (2001). History of Childhood Abuse and Poor Care Among Depressed and Never-Depressed Women. Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Penza, KM, Collins, PF, Simons, AD, Wildes, JE, & Harkness, KL (1999). Cortisol Responses to an Effortful Stressor in Female Depressives: Effects of Environmental and Clinical Variables. Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy, Toronto, Canada.