Rate My Professor Kimberly Riley

Kimberly Riley serves as Assistant Clinical Professor and Program Director in the Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy program within Seattle University’s College of Arts and Sciences, a role she has held since 2022. She earned her Doctor of Social Work from the University of Southern California with a concentration in innovation, Master of Arts in Couples and Family Therapy from Seattle University, and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Brandman University. Prior to her full-time appointment at Seattle University, Riley taught as an adjunct instructor at Northwest University, delivering courses such as PSYCH 2313 Cultural Psychology, PSYCH 3443 Social Psychology, PSYCH 3183 Community Psychology, and course re-development for cultural psychology. At Seattle University, she instructs MCFT 5760 Child and Adolescent Treatment, MCFT 5000 Systemic Care Skills, MCFT 5520 Counseling Theories and Techniques, and supervises clinical practicum courses including MCFT 5560 Clinical II, MCFT 5570 Clinical III, MCFT 5580 Clinical IV, and MCFT 5560 Clinical I as an AAMFT Approved Supervisor.

Riley’s academic interests encompass narrative therapy, child mental health, cultural awareness, family systems theories, preventative behavioral health services, systemic resilience, cultural psychology, social justice, resilience in communities, and therapy for children living in poverty. Her dissertation, “Narrative Therapy-Based Preventative Therapy for Children Living in Poverty” (2020), underscores this focus. She has presented extensively on these topics, including “Wellness and Gratitude: Using self-awareness to find peace on stressful days” at the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families Strengthen Families Locally meeting (2022), “Cultivating Systemic Resilience” with colleagues at the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Systemic Family Therapy Conference (2022), “Understanding How to Use Your Cultural Background to Remain Resilient in Your Community” at the Kitsap Strong Resiliency Summit (2020), and workshops on racism in therapy, psychological immunity, and becoming a licensed marriage and family therapist. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Child Mental Health Specialist, and business owner of You Are Beautiful, PLLC, Riley integrates clinical practice with teaching, supervising interns and providing culturally aware therapy. She contributes to community leadership through roles on the Kitsap Strong Leadership Committee, Kitsap Professional Leaders of Color Steering Committee, Kitsap Health Equity Collaborative, Kitsap County Commission on Children and Youth, and Kitsap County Commission on Mental Health, Chemical Dependency and Therapeutic Court Community Advisory Committee.