Dr. Karissa Burnett (she/her) is known for her integrity, courage, and dedication to her clients. She was named the Future of Psychology Scholar by a professional psychological association, and colleagues have described her work as “moving” and “groundbreaking.” Her therapeutic style is marked by authenticity, empathy, compassion, and the wisdom and humility that come from continuous self-reflection and deep inner work.

As a neurodiversity/queer-affirming psychologist and late-diagnosed autistic ADHDer herself, Dr. Burnett works to empower authentic ways of being while busting harmful myths and old conditioning in the therapy room and beyond. She bridges science with soul, integrating the best of psychological research with a deep respect for intuitive ways of knowing and the value of lived experience. Rather than relying on simplistic explanations and outdated stereotypes, her comprehensive psychological assessments are driven by the desire to truly understand and advocate for her clients.

Dr. Burnett completed her undergraduate years at the University of Connecticut, where she established a strong foundation in psychology research and played trumpet in the UConn marching and pep bands. Her postgraduate education was aligned with the highest standards of the field, as her doctoral program, predoctoral internship, and postdoctoral fellowship were accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). She earned her PhD in clinical psychology from the Fuller Graduate School of Psychology and completed two years of advanced, full-time training at Boston University’s Danielsen Institute. Dr. Burnett also holds two master’s degrees in intercultural studies and psychology, and her master’s project was published in a neuropsychology journal. Her “innovative” dissertation research focused on understanding how survivors heal from gaslighting and other forms of covert psychological abuse within power-over culture.

Prior to opening Divergent Pathways, Dr. Burnett received specialized training on neuropsychological and personality assessment, relational psychoanalytic psychotherapy, cultural humility, spiritual integration, and treating survivors of power-based harm and sexual abuse. She was awarded for excellence in clinical work, research, and teaching, and she has supervised clinical psychology trainees, guest-lectured in graduate classes, advocated on justice-oriented panels, and presented at numerous conferences.

Above all, Dr. Burnett strives to untangle, affirm, and empower true selves from the web of “symptoms” that often come from years of traumatic experiences, systemic oppression, and the entrenched need to mask or hide in order to survive. You deserve to find out who you truly are and experience the freedom, fulfillment, and joy that comes from self-understanding and self-acceptance.