Kirsten is a clinical psychologist who lives and works for the Department of Corrections (Ara Poutama Aotearoa) in New Zealand. There she works on an interdisciplinary mental health team that supports the men and women residing in prison. Her passion is helping people heal from the effects of complex trauma, and advocating for culture shifts that recognize the need for trauma-informed prisons that focus on rehabilitation. This led her to join with CPP to help develop a training designed for custody staff to help shift the culture and perspectives about those who reside in prison.

Born and raised in Nashville, TN, she completed her undergraduate studies in psychology and organizational leadership at Middle Tennessee State University and went on to pursue her doctorate in clinical psychology at Antioch University Seattle. Her love of the outdoors and passion for travel and adventure led her to live internationally with her partner in New Zealand.