Jennifer K Penberthy, PhD

J. Kim Penberthy, PhD, ABPP, specializes in persistent depression, grief, anxiety, trauma, substance use disorders, and psychological concerns associated with chronic medical conditions, including cancer. 

Her clinical interests include the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP), mindfulness-based therapies, and helping patients improve their relationships, coping skills, and quality of life. In addition to clinical care, she teaches and mentors medical residents and other learners, with an emphasis on psychotherapy, therapeutic communication, and clinician wellbeing.

Dr. Penberthy earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. She completed her clinical psychology internship at Eastern Virginia Medical School and a fellowship in medical psychology/behavioral medicine at the University of Virginia. 

She is board certified in clinical psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and currently serves as the Chester F. Carlson Professor of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at UVA. She serves as associate director of the UVA Health Clinician Wellness Program and director of the Effective Coping and Communication Skills for Clinicians CME Program. She also conducts research within the Division of Perceptual Studies. 

She is the past president of the Society of Clinical Psychology of the American Psychological Association and President Elect of the Virginia Academy of Clinical Psychology. She is past president of the International Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy and a current board member of the International Association of Near Death Studies.

Dr. Penberthy’s research focuses on treatments for persistent depression, grief and trauma, the effects of mindfulness and contemplative practices on mental health, and the relationship between subjective experiences and psychological wellbeing. Her scholarly work includes CBASP research, treatment development, clinical trials, and publications on mindfulness and healing.