Hi, my name is Kirnvir (she/her/her). Here’s a bit about who I am and the work I do.

I hold a B.A. in Psychology from UC Berkeley and am currently a Clinical Psychology Doctoral Candidate at the Wright Institute. This year, I have been placed at the Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center | Herrick Campus in Berkeley, CA, where I will be working with individuals experiencing psychiatric crises.

Before entering the clinical field, I worked in the legal world supporting survivors of domestic and political violence. That experience gave me a close look at how power operates—who it protects, fails, and how systems can retraumatize people in need of support. I became especially interested in how both institutions and communities determine how and who is seen, accepted, or supported and who is excluded or treated as a threat. These dynamics often leave people feeling isolated, misunderstood, or unsafe in their own bodies and relationships. That’s what first drew me to working with individuals navigating the emotional weight of trauma, depression, anxiety, and disconnection.

This lens continues to guide my clinical work. I’m especially attuned to people who have had to figure things out alone, often while holding things together for others. I see resilience as a strength, but never as a reason to go without care.

I'm also attuned to spaces where vulnerability is often dismissed. Like among men.

Outside of sessions, I spend time at the East Bay SPCA, caring for animals who haven’t always had stable or consistent care. Some are cautious, others settle in quickly, but many find a way to be present in the moment. Being around them helps me slow down and do the same. At home, I have my orange tabby, Little Lee, who I love more than anything. His late-night zoomies and unpredictable chaos bring out the child in me. Around him, I’m reminded of the simpler moments from my childhood when being present and curious about the world was enough. With him, silliness and playfulness feel like enough again.

Movement and music are also ways I reconnect with myself. Biking and running give me a sense of release, and music takes me back to moments, places, and feelings that feel both nostalgic and safe. It helps me access emotions that aren’t always easy to name in everyday life.