About me
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This is the second private practice I've opened; the other was in Tacoma, WA. I am proud to say I have been a clinical social worker since 1993! Here is some more information about me, including my visit with Wild Mama's Tribe, available where ever you listen to your podcasts:
Attachment Theory with Dr. Kendra C. Roberson (June 8, 2022) |
Certifications/Trainings
EMDR Certified
EMDR Consultant
Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) Certified
Brainspotting - Trained
Internal Family Systems (IFS) - Level I Trained
EMDR Certified
EMDR Consultant
Safe & Sound Protocol (SSP) Certified
Brainspotting - Trained
Internal Family Systems (IFS) - Level I Trained
My Education
I was raised in Seattle, WA, and earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, in 1990. During college, I studied abroad at Hebrew University of Jerusalem in my junior year. I later earned a Master of Social Work from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work in 1993, followed by a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2003.
After completing my doctorate, I pursued a two-year postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Washington’s Social Development Research Group, focusing on racial and ethnic identity development.
Past Clinical Experience
My early clinical work centered on children, adolescents, and families. I supported pregnant and postpartum teens and their partners in Syracuse, NY, worked with adolescents in psychiatric inpatient care in Boston, MA, and assisted with international adoptions in Columbia, MD.
I also provided care in a community mental health clinic in Cincinnati, OH, and later maintained a private practice in Tacoma, WA, for nearly 10 years, working with both adolescents and adults.
Trauma-Informed Practice
My interest in trauma work deepened when I opened my Tacoma practice. I noticed that traditional “talk therapy” and cognitive approaches often fell short for clients who had experienced significant trauma. While we built strong relationships and explored past experiences, many clients still felt trauma “stuck” in their bodies.
Drawing on my training in yoga and mindfulness—and supported by research—I began integrating movement, breathwork, meditation, and prayer into therapy. These practices are powerful tools for healing trauma. I became a certified trauma-informed therapist and later a certified EMDR clinician/consultant, combining evidence-based methods with body-centered approaches to support recovery.
Attachment-Based Practice
My dissertation research explored attachment and caregiving processes, particularly in intercountry adoptees. My work in international adoption and deep study of Attachment Theory sparked a lifelong interest in relationships—not only parent-child bonds but all forms of human connection.
Research shows that insecure attachment combined with trauma can make recovery more challenging. Secure attachment provides grounding and resilience, while early trauma can disrupt these bonds. In my practice, I use a relational approach informed by attachment theory, helping clients heal attachment wounds and trauma together.
If you have experienced trauma and/or attachment insecurity, we will work collaboratively to restore safety, trust, and connection in ways that honor your story and strengths.