Credentials

I am a Licensed Psychologist and Health Service Provider (Lic. #9724) with training and experience in clinical, research, and academic settings.

Formative Experiences

My experience working directly with children in various capacities spans back to the mid-eighties. During preadolescence and adolescence, I taught dance to other children at a neighborhood studio. During my late teens, I worked with young children in an inner-city YMCA. In my early adult years, I taught private swim lessons and directed a children’s gymnastics program.

Education

I obtained my Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, I discovered myself as a scholar and researcher, interested in issues pertaining to children and childhood.

The emphasis in my education at UCLA was developmental psychology with a focus on cognitive, perceptual, and emotional development. Research Assistant and Research Coordinator positions were in cognitive developmental and clinical developmental labs.

Following my graduation from UCLA, I worked at TIES for Adoption as a Research Coordinator. I interviewed dozens of parents regarding their pre-adoption expectations and their lived and felt post-adoption experiences. ​


Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity.   
​                    - Horace Mann


Fully embracing Horace Mann's words, "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity," and with a goal to eventually bring psychological science to the community, I completed my doctoral studies at Antioch University, New England (AUNE). Coursework addressed cognition, emotions, brain structures, healthy versus abnormal human development, health psychology, psychotherapy, psychopharmacology, supervision, consultation, community psychology, group processes, research, psychological tests & measurements, cognitive and projective assessment measures, ethics, the history of psychology, and much more.  

Professional Activities

For well over a decade, while also obtaining my doctorate and completing post doctoral work, I held various leadership roles in professional organizations; authored papers in scholarly journals; presented regularly to local, national, and international audiences; and conducted research. Those activities deepened my knowledge of clinical training, organizational dynamics, school communities, co-parenting, and childhood development.

Pre-Doctoral Research 

​I contributed to various research projects pre and post doctoral studies including research on childhood adjustment following parental divorce, autism, and girls' support groups.

​​My dissertation was titled, “Processes and outcomes in preadolescent girls’ school-based groups." For my study, I co-led and researched counseling groups in a New England K-6 school. I evaluated how relationships in counseling groups develop, and how such peer relationships in those groups relate to treatment outcomes.
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Clinical Training

PRE-DOCTORAL
I spent four years in part-time practicum/training experiences in clinic, school, and hospital settings followed by a one-year APA-accredited full-time internship at Franciscan Hospital for Children in Brighton, MA. 

My internship included training within the Franciscan-McLean Residential Assessment Program. There, I assessed and treated children with trauma, OCD, Tourette's Disorder, Depression, Schizophrenia, neurodevelopmental disorders, and much more. 

Formal pre-doctoral assessment training was an important aspect of my early learning. Pre-doctoral training included psychological and neuropsychological assessment rotations at  Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and Franciscan Hospital for Children.

I first gained group psychotherapy expertise during my pre-doctoral years. I ran psychotherapy and support groups for adults and children in various settings. I taught students and professionals about group process. In addition to running and supervising groups in school, hospitals, and university settings, I also offered presentations and workshops on group dynamics across the country at various conferences.


POST-DOCTORAL 
Two years of post-doctoral clinical experience at the Boston Institute for Psychotherapy concluded my clinical training. As a clinical fellow, I worked extensively in Boston private and public schools. I served children and parents in Roxbury, Dorchester, and South Boston. Previous intensive psychological and neuropsychological training served me well as I worked with schools, families, and local hospitals to attend to the complex mental health needs of young patients with developmental trauma, economic adversity, and previously undiagnosed and untreated issues such as speech-language, mental health, learning, and thought disorders.

​While disheartened by the enormous health disparities and lack of evidence based care in community settings, I also developed effective ways to work with underserved populations and discovered the critical importance of case management and coordination of care in all treatment.

Collegial and business partnerships

I had the privilege of serving as the American Psychological Associations (APA) Division 49 Representative of the APA Coalition of Psychology in School and Education. Within that coalition, I co-authored TEACH Teamwork with several colleagues. 

At Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), I co-taught a J-WEL grant funded course titled, Technologies for Mental Health and Wellness with Dr. Richard Fletcher. Teaching at MIT is a rare privilege, not because its prestige, but because of the MIT culture. Students are conscientious, responsible, and inquisitive. The course was an intellectual journey where we collaborated with students and guest presenters to truly integrate psychological / psychiatric science with various technologies. I enjoy multidisciplinary work, and this partnership with Dr. Fletcher has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. We continued to partner to plan for future joint endeavors where technology and mental health converge. Our shared vision is to positively impact mental health locally and globally through technological advances that are steeped in wisdom from psychological science. 

I co-founded Raising Moxie, LLC alongside Rebecca Thackaberry because of a longstanding desire to bring Psychological science to the community. With Raising Moxie, I am realizing my goals for community engagement and prevention work that can benefit children.  

Approach to Clinical Care

In my private practice, I primarily draw from my Surf'sUPMethod when delivering care. Though, I customize treatment for the individual child. Treatment includes a case management component. 

Selection of Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Benishek, L. E., Gregory, M. E., Hodges, K., Newell, M., Hughes, A. M., Marlow, S., Lacerenza, C., Rosenfield, S., & Salas, E. (2016). Bringing the science of team training to school-based teams. Theory into Practice, 55, 111-118.

Hodges, K., Greene, L., Fauth, J., Mangione, L. (2012) Brief Report: Processes and Outcomes in Prevention-Focused Time-limited Groups for Girls.​​ ​International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 62 (3), pp. 459-469

Hodges, K.M. & Lorie, A. F. (2012) Ignoring the Social Elements: Research of Prevention-Focused Group Programs for Preadolescents and Adolescents (Research Review). International Journal of Group Psychotherapy, 62 (1), pp. 149-156.

Educational Offerings

Hodges, K., Thackaberry, R., & Chaplin, E. (2022) Surf's Up! Growing Emotional Capacities. Presented to Chestnut Hill School, Newton, MA.

​Hodges, K. (2020) Parenting Concerns: Preventing and Addressing Childhood Anxiety During a Pandemic. Webinar offered to Hingham SEPAC. May, 2020.

Hodges, Randall, Sungar, & Bookis (2019) Leading Parenting Groups: How to Teach the Art of Balancing Warmth and Control. American Psychological Association Convention, Summer, 2019.

Hodges, K (2019). Influencing the Classroom Climate with Psychological Science. Presented to CCHS Staff. Concord, MA.
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Hodges, K. (2019). Strengthening Schools: Encouraging Exposure to Vulnerability and Practicing Courage. Presented to the CCHS Guidance Department. Concord, MA.

Hodges, K., Bookis, A & Bookis, B (2018) Parenting 101: A Comprehensive Model Informed by Psychological Science. 

​Hodges, Barlow, and Kaklauskas (2017) Integrating Research and Theory to Create Playgrounds for Learning. Presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, New York, NY March 10.

Newell, M. & Hodges, K (2015) Teach Teamwork. Presented at American Psychological Association 117th Annual Convention in Toronto, Canada.
Hodges, K., Izbicky, N., and Small, P. (2011). How and for whom does socioeconomic status influence group psychotherapy outcome? Proposing a retrospective analysis. Poster presented at Harvard Education Day. Boston, MA.

Mangione, L. (Chair), Allen, S., Herschberg, R., Day, C., Booth, A, Austin, J., & Hodges, K. (Discussant). (2011). What did we learn? Doctoral students discuss facilitation of experiential training groups. Presented at the Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. Washington, DC.

Hodges, K. & Wexler, D. (February, 2009). This Land is Your Land, This Land is My Land: Fostering One’s Sense of Belonging in the Organizational Group. Workshop presented at the meeting of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.

Hodges, K (2008, August). Balancing Expression of Affect and Emotional Containment in a Residential Setting. In Mangione, L. (Chair), Hodges, K., Buonopane, R., Schmelzer, G., & Motherwell, L (Discussant). Therapists’ Use of Passion and Aggression in Adolescent Therapy Groups. Symposium presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Boston, MA.

Hodges, K., Abela, M., & Hawes, S. (2005, May). Multicultural Counseling: Navigating the Intersection between Social Values and Clinical Psychology. Workshop presented at the meeting of Psychologists for Social Responsibility and Counselors for Social Justice, Portland, OR.

Hodges, K., Dybdal, D. & Rutan, S. (2005, March). First steps in AGPA: Two group therapists-in-training reflect upon their first AGPA experience. Sponsored by the AGPA Women in Group Psychotherapy Special Interest Group. Open Session presented at the meeting of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, Annual Conference, New York, NY.

Hodges, K. & Mangione, L. (2004, February). Trial by fire: Lessons learned by a first time group therapist. Open session presented at the meeting of the American Group Psychotherapy Association, Annual Conference, New York, NY.

Borden, K., Hodges, K., La Fortune, J., & Tremblay, G. (2003, November). Increasing cooperation between divorced parents: A program evaluation. Poster session presented at the meeting of the New England Psychological Association, Salem, MA.

Thadani, V., Albertson, K. (AKA Hodges, K), & Stigler, J. (1999, August). What makes writing well-written: An examination of strong and weak writers’ knowledge about text. Poster Presentation, Cognitive Science Society, 21st Annual Meeting, Vancouver, BC.