Jennifer Kim Penberthy, PhD

Jennifer “Kim” Penberthy, Ph.D., ABPP is the Chester F. Carlson Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences, Division of Perceptual Studies, at the University of Virginia School of Medicine. Kim is a board certified clinical psychologist and conducts research, teaches, and provides clinical care at UVA in Psychiatry and the Cancer Center. She obtained her undergraduate and master's degree in psychology from Wake Forest University, her PhD in Clinical Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, and her Fellowship at the University of Virginia. Her research interests focus on the mind-body relationship and exploring human consciousness as well as extraordinary human experiences, including the impact of such on human abilities and wellness. She is a founding member of the UVA Contemplative Sciences Center and a member of the UVA Academy of Distinguished Educators, the Wisdom & Wellbeing Program, the Leadership in Academic Matters Program, and is a Fellow of Humanism in Medicine at the University of Virginia. She is involved on an international level conducting research and consulting with the Center for Consciousness Research and the Scientific & Medical Network as well as the IANDS Research Network. Dr. Penberthy is interested in the impact of extraordinary human experiences such as Near Death Experiences, Out of Body Experiences, and After Death Communications as well as intentionally pursued altered states of consciousness, such as those resulting from contemplative practices, meditation, and psychedelics. She is also dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion and exploring and honoring contemplative practices from indigenous and native cultures. She is President of the Society of Clinical Psychology, the former chair of the American Psychological Association Society of Clinical Psychology Diversity Committee and is a fellow in the APA Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology. She has published extensively on psychotherapy and mindfulness, including 4 books, and scores of manuscripts and book chapters, and lectures internationally regarding her research. Her most recent book is co-authored with her daughter, Morgan, and is called “Living Mindfully Across the Lifespan: An Intergenerational Guide,” published by Routledge Taylor & Francis in 2020. Her clinical expertise includes: Anxiety Disorders Depressive disorders (including Persistent Depression) Post traumatic stress (PTSD) Cancer-related stress Burnout Mindfulness Meditation Grief and loss Fear of death and dying Extraordinary experiences Altered States of Consciousness After Death Communications Out of Body Experiences.