Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Kennetha Frye.
Hi Dr. Frye, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
As a child, I was always interested in helping others, and it has always been a passion of mine in all areas of my life. In high school, I enrolled in a psychology course and became very interested in the connection of the mind, body, and soul, so much so that I applied and was admitted into the psychology program at the University of Texas at Austin. While at UT, I solidified my interests in child psychology due to participation in research projects related to child development and mental health, as well as volunteering at different high schools with students in impoverished areas. Coupled with my interest in multiculturalism and social justice issues, I was encouraged to apply for the doctoral program in school psychology at the University of Houston, which provided me with in-depth education, research experiences, and practical experiences that set me up for success in my current position as a licensed psychologist in my independent private practice, where I pride myself on cultivating healing through a multicultural lens.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a military brat, I was provided with many rich experiences to travel the world and was given a platform as well as unconditional support from my parents to reach my goals. However, along the way, I was met with some obstacles. At the age of 20, when applying to doctoral programs the first time around, I was not admitted to any programs that I applied for. Although I took a hit to my ego, I allowed myself the time to sulk, but I applied and completed a Master’s program within a year while also building my resume to be ultimately admitted into the University of Houston in the Fall of 2009. While the majority of the schoolwork and practica/internship experiences were enjoyable, completing my 250-page dissertation became a huge obstacle that made me doubt my ability to persevere. However, in 2014 I was able to graduate with my PhD at the young age of 27. Since this time, I have pressed forward with confidence but always remember the path I took to obtain my goals. However, last year I was met with one of the biggest struggles in life, which was the loss of my father, who was one of my inspirations for going into psychology. The healing process has not been the easiest but has definitely provided me the motivation to move forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Dr. Kennetha Frye is a Licensed Psychologist, Health Service Psychologist, and a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology. She specializes in working with diverse at-risk children/adolescents who exhibit emotional and behavioral difficulties (e.g. depression, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, etc). Dr. Frye not only has experience working in the school system but has clinical experience in psychiatric hospitals, geriatric facilities, a juvenile detention center, and family therapy experience. In addition to providing services for children and adolescents, she is experienced in providing parent training to parents of children with disruptive behavior disorders and providing consultation to school staff on a range of different disorders. Dr. Frye’s approach to therapy is one that is holistic and evidence-based within an ecological framework. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 2008 and has a minor in African American Studies. She received her doctorate from the University of Houston’s APA accredited School Psychology program. She completed her APA accredited pre-doctoral internship and a postdoctoral fellowship with Dallas Independent School District. Currently, she provides psychological services in her private practice in Houston and contracts with Texas A&M to provide supervision services to budding psychologists. She is the past president of Division 12, Section 10 of APA, and a past member of Division 16’s committee for ethnic minority affairs. She has been honored by Division 16 for her outstanding contributions to the Student Affiliates for School Psychology and was recently recognized as an Outstanding Alumni by the University of Houston’s College of Education. She is a proud member of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Incorporated. She has been a member for seventeen years and is the past Director of Administration and won our Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. She currently serves as one of the Directors at Large for the Houston Psychological Association. She loves to travel, spend time with her family, and her dog Mulatta and spend time with those closest to her.
What’s next?
The future is definitely looking bright. I hope that within the next year or so I expand my practice by hiring more therapists and psychologists to make a greater impact on the mental health community within the Houston area. There is a huge discrepancy in the amount of therapists per potential clients. I also want to continue to train/supervise up-and-coming therapists who have a desire for creating long-lasting change in the lives of their clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: Drkennethafrye.com
- Instagram: Psychologist_drfrye
