Dr. Kim Krinsky Valdes

It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Kim Krinsky Valdes, a loving wife and mother and a dedicated psychologist, educator, and mentor. She left us on November 24, 2024, after a six and half year battle with breast cancer. Dr. Krinsky was a cherished member of our metro Atlanta community, known for her insight, wit, intelligence, compassion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to the field of psychology. 

Dr. Krinsky was born Kim Lori Krinsky to Dr. Leonard William Krinsky and Dolores Rose Krinsky on June 1, 1962, on Long Island.  She followed in the footsteps of her father by pursuing her passion for understanding the human mind, earning her B.A. in Psychology (with Distinction) from Cornell University in 1984 and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Emory University in 1990. She further honed her skills by obtaining her M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of North Georgia in 2017.

After earning her Ph.D., Dr. Krinsky opened her independent psychotherapy practice, where she provided invaluable support to countless individuals for over three decades. Her dedication to education was evident in her role as a tenured faculty member in the Department of Social Sciences at Georgia Perimeter College and Georgia State University, as well as her position as an adjunct faculty member at Emory University. She was particularly renowned for her work as a clinical supervisor, guiding graduate students in Emory’s Department of Clinical Psychology with wisdom, intelligence, and grace.

Throughout her career, Dr. Krinsky was actively involved in numerous professional organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the Georgia Psychological Association, where she contributed her insights on the Ethics Committee. Her professional interests encompassed interpersonal psychotherapy, women's mental health, eating disorders, and psychological issues related to chronic medical conditions. She also dedicated herself to conducting psychological assessments for patients preparing for bariatric surgery, along with developing a specialist practice in forensic psychology.

Her sense of humor, her love of animals, and her passion for film and tennis brought joy to her family and friends. An insightful researcher, Dr. Krinsky even explored the portrayal of psychotherapy in film and media, contributing significantly to the academic discourse surrounding mental health representation.

She is survived by her husband Dr. Luis Valdes; son Jordan Lorenzo Valdes; daughter Liana Jade Valdes; stepson Timothy Dailey-Valdes; sisters Susan L. Krinsky, J.D. and Amy Foster, J.D. (Richard); nieces Kira Nicole Long, M.D. and Emily Anne Foster, Ph.D. (Ilan Kaplan); nephew Ben Long (Caroline Snyder); and great niece and nephews Vidalia Wimberley Long, Jack Leonard Ross, and Oswald Krinsky Long.  A memorial service will be held on March 22, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, at the Fischer Funeral Home chapel, where family, friends, and colleagues can come together to celebrate her remarkable life. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Cancer Society or the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Rest in peace, Dr. Kim Krinsky. Your bright light will forever shine in the hearts of those who love and admire you.