Kerry Makin-Byrd
Dr. Kerry Makin-Byrd is a clinical psychologist and American national subject matter expert on trauma. Her first book, "The Ballad of Burnout: a helper lost and found", was an Amazon #1 New Release in the Poetry About Love category.
Kerry received the Special Contribution Award from the US Veterans Health Administration in recognition of the national impact of her policy contributions and clinical teaching on US VA mental health services. She has authored over 30 peer-reviewed studies, US Congressional reports, and clinical chapters on trauma and resilience.
Before retiring from research and start-up life, Kerry held professional affiliations at Pennsylvania State University, the University of California, San Francisco, Stanford University, the National Center for PTSD and New York University. Currently, she is writing her next book, training therapists, and providing therapy to people experiencing overwhelming events and existential questions.
Kerry lives in Wellington, New Zealand, with her daughter, husband, and many foster cats.
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Ballad of Burnout: a helper lost and found
"Devastatingly honest, reads like a confession and sings with humanity, just what I needed to read."
– Kelly McGonigal, PhD, Oprah's Magazine 2020 Visionary and best-selling author of Joy of Movement,The Upside of Stress, and The Willpower Instinct
"Such a personal and revealing manifesto, touching the sorrow of overdone sacrifice and emerging into a Phoenix – a full resurrection into life and reclamation. This work is amazing, and I am grateful that you have chosen to share it with others."
- Robyn D. Walser, PhD, author of The Heart of ACT, co-author of Learning ACT, The Mindful Couple, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and The ACT Workbook for Anger
“Makin-Byrd lays her soul bare, describing webs that I imagine most therapists have been caught in…I was moved and inspired."
– Ben Sedley, PhD, clinical psychologist, author of Stuff That Sucks and Stuff That's Loud
Part poetic memoir, part hopepunk battlecry, a clinical psychologist documents her journey through professional burnout to healing and growth.
Clinical psychologist Kerry Makin-Byrd appeared successful and balanced. She treated trauma survivors at the University of California, San Francisco and published research at the National Center for PTSD and New York University. But as COVID-19 spread across the globe, Kerry joined approximately 5 million medical professionals experiencing work burnout.
This lyrical poem details first her unraveling, then her journey to a new peace. Makin-Byrd reports her disintegration with wrenching precision. Happily, her evolution receives the same care and scrutiny. Drawing from her expertise in posttraumatic growth, moral injury, and compassion practices, she deftly integrates the wisdom of poets, philosophers, and scientists into a healing roadmap for us all.
Ballad of Burnout is a personal memoir, a travel log to transformation, and a love letter to all helpers. Recommended reading for every teacher, medical professional, caregiver, and working parent who is exhausted.