Dr. Kenya Guarnieri

My Story

I understand this from the inside out.

As a Black woman who navigated higher education while managing generalized anxiety, I spent years sitting in classrooms alongside peers and professors who didn’t think, communicate, or see the world the way I did. I learned to adapt, to advocate for myself, and to find my footing in spaces that weren’t always built with me in mind. It was challenging — and it was also clarifying.

When I became a licensed psychologist and began working with neurodiverse individuals — people with autism, Down syndrome, traumatic brain injuries, and other neurological differences — something unexpected happened. I felt, for the first time, completely at home. Like I was among friends. That sense of belonging wasn’t a coincidence. It was recognition.

The experience of existing in a world not built for your mind is something I understand viscerally — not just professionally. That shared understanding is what allows me to connect with my clients and their families on a level that goes far beyond clinical expertise. And it’s the foundation on which Closer Horizons was built.

Whether you’re a parent searching for someone who will truly see your child, or an individual navigating anxiety, ADHD, autism, depression, or a learning difference — you deserve a provider who gets it, not just on paper, but in their bones.

The person behind the practice.

Outside of the office, I’m a mother who loves learning new things alongside my kids — our latest adventure is sewing. I find joy in hiking and long walks with my husband, where we dream and plan for the future together.

Those moments of connection, curiosity, and growth aren’t separate from my work — they are my work. They remind me every day why I do this, and who I’m doing it for.

When you walk through the doors of Closer Horizons, you’re not just meeting a psychologist with a list of credentials. You’re meeting someone who has navigated hard spaces, found her people, and built something she wishes had existed for her — a room where everyone belongs.

“You were never too much.
You were never the problem.
You were simply in the wrong room.”

The philosophy behind Closer Horizons

My Approach

Strengths-based. Evidence-rooted. Deeply personal.

With over 15 years of experience — first across public school settings in Colorado, Washington and Kentucky, and now through my private practice — I’ve learned that the most meaningful progress happens when we stop asking “what’s wrong?” and start asking “what’s possible?”

Every evaluation I conduct, every treatment plan I develop, and every session I hold is grounded in a neurodevelopmental framework that honors how your mind actually works — not how others think it should. I draw on specialized doctoral training in pediatric traumatic brain injury, comprehensive assessment expertise across ADHD, autism, learning differences, anxiety, depression, and executive functioning, and a deep commitment to translating complex findings into clear, actionable guidance for families, schools, and the individuals I serve.

I also believe that goals should be your goals — not a diagnostic checklist. Whether you have autism, anxiety, ADHD, depression, or you’re simply trying to understand yourself better, you deserve to dream big. My job is to help you get there.

Approach Pillars

Strengths-Based

We begin with what you can do, not what you can’t. Every individual has a unique set of abilities worth uncovering.

Evidence-Based

Every recommendation I make is rooted in current research and adapted to fit you — not a generic protocol.

Individualized

No two people are alike. Your treatment plan is built around your specific needs, goals, and life circumstances.

Whole-Family

You don’t navigate this alone. I partner with families and educators to create a consistent, supported path forward.

Credentials

The training behind the practice.

Education

PhD, School Psychology
University of Northern Colorado
APA Accredited · NASP Approved
Specialization: Pediatric TBI obtained from UC-Denver School of Medicine

Licensure

Licensed Psychologist, HSP
Kentucky · Health Service Provider
Nationally Certified School Psychologist
Licensed in WA & KY

Clinical Training

ADOS-2 Certified
Level I / Administrative Training
Gold-standard autism diagnostic tool

Teaching & Supervision

Adjunct Professor
Bellarmine University
Graduate Psychological Assessment
Clinical Supervisor, Practicum Students

Experience

15+ Years
Public schools, virtual settings, and private practice across Washington & Kentucky

Specialties

Neurodevelopmental Assessment
ADHD · Autism · Learning Differences
Anxiety · Depression · TBI
Executive Functioning

Let’s Connect

You deserve to dream big.

At Closer Horizons, I believe that a diagnosis is a starting point — not a ceiling. Through counseling, skills training, and comprehensive evaluations, my goal is to help you and your family build essential life skills, embrace your inherent worth, and feel genuinely encouraged to reach your goals.

If you’ve ever felt like the systems around you weren’t built for your mind — I’d be honored to be the provider who finally is.

Looking for more specialized support?

Explore additional Closer Horizons services, including ADHD and autism evaluations, learning disability testing, executive functioning counseling, anxiety counseling, and support for neurodivergent children, teens, and adults navigating masking, burnout, and identity.