You’re Successful on the Outside. But Inside, It’s a Different Story.
From the outside, your life may look steady-successful, accomplished, even enviable. But inside, it may feel like you’re caught in unpredictable tides: a constant undercurrent of unease, emotional numbness, a quiet emptiness you can’t explain, or a vague sense that something is missing. You may feel like you’re drifting, unsure of how you got here-or how to find your way back.
About Me: A Steady Presence in the Storm
Hi, I’m Dr. Lara Kennerly, a trauma-informed and psychodynamic therapist. I help high-functioning adults- especially those that are high-achieving professionals, or working in high-pressure/ high-stress/ high-responsibility roles- who feel lost, disconnected, or unfulfilled- even when their lives look “fine” on the surface.
Together, we create a space where you can explore:
-
Why you’re feeling ungrounded, anxious, or emotionally flat
-
How past relationships and early attachments may still be steering your emotional responses
-
What it might feel like to live with greater purpose, self-trust, and connection
I draw from psychodynamic, attachment-based, and trauma-informed approaches. This means we work not just on what’s happening now-but also on one's deeper emotional patterns underneath.
If you’re feeling lost at sea, therapy can help you find your way back to solid ground. Whether it’s burnout, unresolved trauma, the slow erosion of self beneath constant waves of responsibility and pressure that just keep coming, or you’re just drawn to explore beneath the surface, I invite you to reach out for a consultation. Let’s talk about how therapy can support your growth!
My Approach to Therapy:
Psychodynamic & Integrative
~Providing Expertly Individualized and Tailored Treatment~
My therapeutic approach is Integrative, meaning I use and combine a variety of techniques/interventions from different modalities I am formally trained in, to create tailored treatment that fits your unique needs, and allows for flexibility and adjustment based on what is, or isn't working for you.
My approach integrates:
-
Psychodynamic Theory- to explore deeper meanings and motivations behind current struggles
-
Attachment science- to understand how early bonds shape adult emotions and relationships
-
Trauma-informed practice-to ensure a safe, empowering space for this exploration
My approach helps you to:
-
Understand the deeper emotional currents shaping your reactions, relationships, and sense of identity
-
Explore how early life experiences and attachment dynamics affect your current struggles and shape how you cope with stress or loss
-
Process chronic stress, unresolved wounds, or emotional numbness
-
Reconnect with your values, your sense of self, and a deeper sense of meaning
-
Build a more grounded, resilient relationship with yourself-one that feels authentic, stable, and whole.
This kind of therapy doesn’t offer quick fixes-it offers something deeper: the chance to know yourself more fully. If you’re done just coping and want to move from a place of emotional turbulence or disconnect, to a place where you finally feel present, grounded, and emotionally connected-therapy can help. You don’t have to figure it out alone. I’m here to help guide that journey.
Education & Experience
Professional Qualifications: Licensed Psychologist # PSY29433
College/Graduate School
-
Dr. Kennerly completed her undergraduate education at University of California, San Diego, with a B.A. in Psychology.
-
Dr. Kennerly went on to earn her doctorate (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University-San Diego in 2013.
Dr. Kennerly's academic background ensures a deep understanding of human behavior and psychological principles, as well as a demonstrated mastery in various therapy techniques and approaches. As a Licensed Psychologist, she is governed by a state Licensing Board which monitors and oversees compliance with professional standards and regulations, guaranteeing ethical and proficient therapy services.
Work Experience
Dr. Kennerly has almost two decades of work experience providing psychotherapy to a wide variety of individuals experiencing a diversity of mental health issues and levels of severity, in a variety of treatment settings. These have included: Adolescents in residential treatment program; College/graduate school students in a College Counseling Center; Adults in outpatient therapy at Community Mental Health Centers; Adult men seeking mental health treatment while incarcerated; Correctional staff (Correctional Officers and all other types of employees) working in a maximum security level male prison; First responders (fire-fighters, law enforcement, EMT’s) deployed to disaster zone and engaged in emergency response efforts.
Trained In:
As a Licensed Psychologist, Dr. Kennerly has developed mastery in various therapy techniques and approaches, ensuring high-quality care and effective treatment for her clients. Some of these include:
-
Psychodynamic Therapies
-
Attachment-Based Psychotherapy
-
Gestalt Therapies
-
Trauma-Informed Therapies
-
Disaster Response/Critical Incident Response
-
CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
-
DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)
-
IPT (Interpersonal Therapy)
-
ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)
-
EFT (Emotion-Focused Therapy)
-
TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
Who I Work With:
I currently work with individuals experiencing the following:
~Depression/Anxiety/Mood Disorders
~Grief & Loss/Trauma
~Young Adults Transitioning to College/Adulthood
~Major Life/Role Transitions
~Interpersonal Relationships/ Attachment Work
~Spouses/Loved Ones of First Responders/Corrections staff
However, in my practice I particularly focus on working with three specific Specialized groups:
~High-Achieving Professionals
~Individuals in High-Stress/High-Risk Professions
~Adults Impacted by Wildfires