Kirsten Byrnes, Psy.D

Dr. Kirsten Byrnes is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist. She is a graduate of the Psy.D. Program in Clinical Psychology at Long Island University’s C. W. Post Campus, with a concentration in serious and persistent mental illness. Dr. Byrnes completed her pre-doctoral internship within the forensic track at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (now Rutgers University). She also has a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Additional certifications include postgraduate certificates in Criminal Forensic Psychology and Family/Civil Forensic Psychology from Montclair State University. She is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional [level I and II].

Dr. Byrnes currently serves as the Director of Clinical Research and Training at POETIC, Dallas, which is dedicated to providing services for youth who have experienced child maltreatment, trafficking or sexual commercial exploitation. Dr. Byrnes also provides consultation, supervision, evaluation, and therapy in private practice.
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Previously, Dr. Byrnes worked at the Audrey Hepburn Children’s House at Hackensack University Medical Center for a decade, including, her position as the Psychology Education Coordinator, where she supervised, managed, and delivered APPIC and ABPP approved training for psychology fellows. She is an assistant professor at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine and has taught at several colleges and universities in the NY/NJ metropolitan area, delivering coursework ranging from the undergraduate to doctoral level instruction. She has also conducted research in the field of child maltreatment, commercial sexual exploitation and trafficking, trauma, assessment, and grooming, presenting findings at regional, national and international conferences. Dr. Byrnes is the author of a chapter pertaining to forensic considerations relative to youth diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder who may have experienced sexual touch or abuse. She has also co-authored an article on the use of the MACI in child abuse assessments.