Heather O’Beirne Kelly, PhD
@heatherkellyphd.bsky.social
Clinical psychologist: inaugural Director of Wellness and Prevention at US Naval Academy. Former House Veterans’ Affairs Committee staffer and nonprofit advocate for military personnel, veterans, their families, caregivers, survivors, and communities.
Moved beyond words to stand on Utah and Omaha Beaches last week, visit the American cemetery, & spend time in churches that bore witness as aid stations/refuge. Beyond words except for these etched into the wall below: “To these we owe the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live.”
June 6, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Moved beyond words to stand on Utah and Omaha Beaches last week, visit the American cemetery, & spend time in churches that bore witness as aid stations/refuge. Beyond words except for these etched into the wall below: “To these we owe the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live.”
The sky is their playground — aleays incredible to have the Blue Angels do a flight demo at the Naval Academy. Hanging in my office here are pics of my Granddad (USNA 1926) when he was one of the Nine High Hats, the original 1929 version! They tied their wings together for stunts…
May 20, 2025 at 7:54 PM
The sky is their playground — aleays incredible to have the Blue Angels do a flight demo at the Naval Academy. Hanging in my office here are pics of my Granddad (USNA 1926) when he was one of the Nine High Hats, the original 1929 version! They tied their wings together for stunts…
Spent an inspiring, active day with The Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations & Georgetown Univ experts in adolescence & young adulthood. Many thanks to the incredible Dr. Jen Woolard for including me & the Naval Academy in this effort to enhance student engagement & flourishing.
April 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Spent an inspiring, active day with The Aspen Institute’s Center for Rising Generations & Georgetown Univ experts in adolescence & young adulthood. Many thanks to the incredible Dr. Jen Woolard for including me & the Naval Academy in this effort to enhance student engagement & flourishing.
lots of big toys landing right outside my office window this morning 🚁
April 15, 2025 at 2:21 PM
lots of big toys landing right outside my office window this morning 🚁
Tiptoeing through the tulips with Chris and Charlotte this morning! 🌷
April 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Tiptoeing through the tulips with Chris and Charlotte this morning! 🌷
Happy 25th to my baby! Smart, kind, hard-working, and one of the funniest people I know — we love you, Will. 💕
April 8, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Happy 25th to my baby! Smart, kind, hard-working, and one of the funniest people I know — we love you, Will. 💕
Reposted by Heather O’Beirne Kelly, PhD
I have tariffed
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
April 3, 2025 at 7:45 PM
I have tariffed
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
the penguins
that are on
Heard Island
and which
you were probably
assuming
did not export goods
forgive me
they were taking advantage of us
so cunning
and so cold
monday mornings should always include manatees 💕
March 31, 2025 at 1:19 PM
monday mornings should always include manatees 💕
testifying before the appropriations committee in Congress 8 years ago today — I do believe that was my “wtf” expression when asked an incredibly wrong leading question about military sexual assault 😶
March 29, 2025 at 5:33 PM
testifying before the appropriations committee in Congress 8 years ago today — I do believe that was my “wtf” expression when asked an incredibly wrong leading question about military sexual assault 😶
another sunrise on Sanibel, another heron bestie on the beach 💕
March 28, 2025 at 12:45 PM
another sunrise on Sanibel, another heron bestie on the beach 💕
Reposted by Heather O’Beirne Kelly, PhD
First time being taught in any branch of the military, but so honored that it's by of my favorite science/art hybrids, @heatherkellyphd.bsky.social, & under the banner of happiness. And to be taught alongside my genius former teacher & current friend, Rita Dove. More art/science integration, pls.
…at the Naval Academy, CAPT Andrew Ledford and I wove together the workings of our hypothalamus, research on cognitive reframing and thought-stopping, and how poetry may save us. Think of poems as dopamine hits — WH Auden, Rita Dove, and Amy Woolard (my favorite contemporary poet).
March 19, 2025 at 12:22 PM
First time being taught in any branch of the military, but so honored that it's by of my favorite science/art hybrids, @heatherkellyphd.bsky.social, & under the banner of happiness. And to be taught alongside my genius former teacher & current friend, Rita Dove. More art/science integration, pls.
During my Dad’s nuclear submarine interview back in the late 1950s, the infamous ADM Rickover asked him to recite his favorite poem. It was INVICTUS by Henley, which has inspired countless Midshipmen and servicemembers (and Nelson Mandela) over the years.
Today in our Science of Happiness class…
Today in our Science of Happiness class…
March 18, 2025 at 7:33 PM
During my Dad’s nuclear submarine interview back in the late 1950s, the infamous ADM Rickover asked him to recite his favorite poem. It was INVICTUS by Henley, which has inspired countless Midshipmen and servicemembers (and Nelson Mandela) over the years.
Today in our Science of Happiness class…
Today in our Science of Happiness class…
bringing spring to the office 🌼
March 17, 2025 at 2:31 PM
bringing spring to the office 🌼
The level of maleficence today is almost overwhelming. I bring to you a sunbathing Henry as partial antidote. 💕
March 11, 2025 at 11:58 PM
The level of maleficence today is almost overwhelming. I bring to you a sunbathing Henry as partial antidote. 💕
CAPT Andrew Ledford and I were delighted to welcome Dr. Arthur Brooks to the Naval Academy this afternoon to guest lecture in our Psychology of Happiness class. Midshipmen and Superintendent were absolutely delighted. Fabulous reminder of crucial links between leadership, happiness & performance. ⚓️
March 6, 2025 at 9:11 PM
CAPT Andrew Ledford and I were delighted to welcome Dr. Arthur Brooks to the Naval Academy this afternoon to guest lecture in our Psychology of Happiness class. Midshipmen and Superintendent were absolutely delighted. Fabulous reminder of crucial links between leadership, happiness & performance. ⚓️
I am thrilled to share this announcement: the United States Naval Academy is the first military service academy to serve as a government liaison to the Face The Fight military/veteran suicide prevention coalition!
www.usna.edu/NewsCenter/2...
www.usna.edu/NewsCenter/2...
NAVAL ACADEMY ANNOUNCES AFFILIATION WITH FACE THE FIGHT COALITION
NAVAL ACADEMY ANNOUNCES AFFILIATION WITH FACE THE FIGHT COALITION page for USNA News Center at USNA.edu. Updated $lastModified.
www.usna.edu
March 3, 2025 at 7:41 PM
I am thrilled to share this announcement: the United States Naval Academy is the first military service academy to serve as a government liaison to the Face The Fight military/veteran suicide prevention coalition!
www.usna.edu/NewsCenter/2...
www.usna.edu/NewsCenter/2...
I’m at the point where autocorrect is used to me typing “fuckery” and just lets it slide…🙃
March 2, 2025 at 3:36 PM
I’m at the point where autocorrect is used to me typing “fuckery” and just lets it slide…🙃
digital palette cleanser and throwback to when Henry met the most handsome fellow in the world 💕
March 2, 2025 at 3:17 PM
digital palette cleanser and throwback to when Henry met the most handsome fellow in the world 💕
Both The Gulf of Heather and actual Heather are temporarily calm this morning…🌊☀️🌴☕️
February 16, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Both The Gulf of Heather and actual Heather are temporarily calm this morning…🌊☀️🌴☕️
I was a National Symphony Orchestra apprentice (flute) as a public high school student in Arlington. Spent magical hours sitting alongside incredible musicians for rehearsals and many, many more as an audience member over the years. Thank you to all who made The Kennedy Center what it was. 💕
📸: KC
📸: KC
February 13, 2025 at 5:55 PM
I was a National Symphony Orchestra apprentice (flute) as a public high school student in Arlington. Spent magical hours sitting alongside incredible musicians for rehearsals and many, many more as an audience member over the years. Thank you to all who made The Kennedy Center what it was. 💕
📸: KC
📸: KC
giving a mid-term on a pretty bleak, drizzly day in Annapolis: 94 cupcakes waiting to make some Midshipmen a little happier as they write about the science of happiness 🧁
February 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
giving a mid-term on a pretty bleak, drizzly day in Annapolis: 94 cupcakes waiting to make some Midshipmen a little happier as they write about the science of happiness 🧁
one of my coworkers would like a snack — ignore any emails appearing to come from me asking for cheese 🧀
February 7, 2025 at 9:14 PM
one of my coworkers would like a snack — ignore any emails appearing to come from me asking for cheese 🧀
Really fun to see all 244 Midshipmen who will go surface warfare in a few months pick their actual ships tonight, one by one! Ziggy the iconic Naval Academy dog was present, as were the Chief of Naval Operations ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and my boss, the Superintendent ⭐️⭐️⭐️— two remarkable SWOs. ⚓️
February 7, 2025 at 2:36 AM
Really fun to see all 244 Midshipmen who will go surface warfare in a few months pick their actual ships tonight, one by one! Ziggy the iconic Naval Academy dog was present, as were the Chief of Naval Operations ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and my boss, the Superintendent ⭐️⭐️⭐️— two remarkable SWOs. ⚓️
GOATALLY great way to spend the day: with Midshipmen, goats, horses, roosters out of central casting, and sassy farm dogs 🐐💕#NavalAcademy #TeamBill
February 1, 2025 at 10:27 PM
GOATALLY great way to spend the day: with Midshipmen, goats, horses, roosters out of central casting, and sassy farm dogs 🐐💕#NavalAcademy #TeamBill
February 1, 2025 at 1:30 AM