Bridgett Kiernan graduated from UCLA with a BA in Psychology and came to TEACCH following her time as a Teach for America Corps member in Oakland, California. Her experience as a high school special education teacher has invaluably informed her perspective and drive to create tailored, strengths-based supports to improve mental health interventions for autistic people across the lifespan. She hopes to continue to deepen her knowledge of the dynamic and interdependent relationship of research and clinical practice by pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology. Bridgett spends most of her evenings and weekends practicing and playing shows with her band at various venues across the Triangle area– most of which have a very strong TEACCH turnout!