KIMBERLY JOHNSON, PhD, LMHCD

Diplomate - American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress​

Dr. Johnson is a New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor with diagnostic priviledge who has worked in the clinical field since 1995. She uses an integrative approach grounded in humanistic-existential, trauma-informed, and grief-informed care; supporting clients through healing, self-discovery, resilience, and meaningful personal growth. Her work draws from experiential and acceptance-based approaches, somatic therapies that build body awareness and connection to emotional experience, narrative therapy focused on meaning-making and personal story, and cognitive-behavioral and strengths-based strategies that support practical change and forward movement.​

Throughout her career, Dr. Johnson has worked across a wide range of clinical, educational, and community-based settings, including community mental health, foster care, crisis response, counselor education, and behavioral health leadership. She has extensive experience supporting healthcare workers, first responders, helping professionals, caregivers, and individuals navigating occupational stress, burnout, compassion fatigue, secondary traumatic stress, and moral injury. Her work has also been shaped by direct responder and disaster mental health experience, including supporting first responders and impacted communities following 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy, as well as supporting healthcare workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.​Her clinical work focuses on trauma, grief and loss, anxiety, depression, identity development, life transitions, emotional overwhelm, relationship concerns, and the impact of high-responsibility caregiving and professional roles.

Dr. Johnson believes therapy is not only for moments of crisis, but also for those seeking greater clarity, balance, connection, and fulfillment in their lives. She works collaboratively with clients and tailors treatment to the individual rather than relying on a single therapeutic model or approach.​

Beyond the therapy room, Dr. Johnson is an educator, consultant, trainer, and advocate. Since 2007, she has taught within undergraduate and graduate psychology and counseling programs, specializing in crisis counseling, psychopathology, counselor development, and clinical supervision. She also provides consultation and professional training to educational, healthcare, clinical, and community organizations, with a focus on trauma-informed care, disaster mental health, responder wellbeing, and healthcare worker mental health.​

Dr. Johnson serves on the board of Emotional PPE, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing barriers to mental health support for healthcare workers. She also collaborates with responder teams, community organizations, and volunteer initiatives that support resilience and psychological wellbeing during times of crisis and disaster response.​An avid supporter of the animal care and rescue community, Dr. Johnson developed Rescuer Therapy to support those impacted by the emotional demands of rescue, shelter, veterinary, and animal care work.​

Outside of her professional work, Dr. Johnson enjoys artistic welding, glass fusing, gardening, and spending time with her rescue dogs.