About Me
Education
Dr. Siyuan Chen Kennedy, also known as Dr. Karen, was born and raised in Canton/ Guangzhou, China, which is an international city next to Hong Kong. She can speak English, Cantonese 粤语, Mandarin 中文, and Japanese 日本語. She received a Bachelor of Science in Educational Psychology in China, a Master of Science of Mental Health Counseling (2011), and a Doctoral degree in Professional Counseling (2014) from Mississippi College, where she taught undergraduate course Psychology 101 for 5 years. She also finished the Minister's Wives certificate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary for women's ministry in 2015.
Areas of Expertise
Dr. Karen is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Prepare/Enrich Certified, Board-Certified Tele Mental Health Provider, and Certified AutPlay Therapy Provider. Since 2009, Karen has worked and used counseling in various clinical settings, including behavioral hospital, local mental health services, hospice ministry, theological seminary, local clinic, and private practice.
She has experience working with all ages, from children through elder adulthood in individual, couples, family, and group therapy in the areas of autism, ADHD, stress management, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, motivation, self-esteem, confidence, life changes/transitions, relationship (ministry, work, family, couples), self-care, self-identity, women's health & issues, and video gaming addiction. She also has experience conducting intelligence, ADHD, and other psychological assessments.
Autplay Therapy is a neurodivergent affirming strength-based play therapy approach for neurodivergent individuals and families (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc.).
Cultural Competency
Dr. Karen is also passionate about helping minority populations, international students/ exchange scholars, immigrants, adoption families, missionaries, women in ministry, minister’s wives, and inter-racial/ inter-cultural relationships to thrive in their life journeys.
So far, Dr. Karen has worked with clients from multicultural backgrounds, including Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Indian, Mexican, Colombian, Brazilian, Dominica Republican, Turkish, Moroccan, Honduran, Ghanaian, Caucasian and African American.
You are always welcome to work with Dr. Karen, no matter what faith you believe in, what color skin you have, or where you come from in life. Walking alongside clients, witnessing their growth and positive changes, and helping them achieve their goals generates her greatest joy.
My Approach
Dr. Karen uses creative integrated strength-based creative play therapy to increase positive life experiences and to facilitate healthy relationships. Through integrative creative play therapy, individuals, couples, families, and groups will be able to build trust, connection, confidence, and healthy effective coping skills with themselves and each other. She uses mindfulness-based positive psychology to increase a sense of hope and nurture effective coping skills. Clients will often learn how to value themselves and others, how to handle various situations, how to set healthy boundaries, and how to feel joyful in life.
Dr. Karen believes in Jesus Christ of the Christian faith. Therefore, when clients are open to talking about faith or Jesus in therapy, she is more than happy to discuss and fellowship with them in session. However, if you are not a Christian, you are still welcome to learn, to grow, to mature, and to achieve your goal with Dr. Karen at therapy.
You are not alone. Let's walk together as a team, to find light, hope and healing.
