My Approach
As a parent, it’s typical to experience ups and downs with your child. Many problems are transient and your child may experience relief or improvement in a short period of time. Early treatment can often prevent more serious problems later.
My approach is adjusted to meet the needs of the child and family. I use developmentally tailored approaches, as what’s appropriate for a preschooler will vary for what’s vital for an adolescent. I use research supported interventions and adjust them to include the values of the families. I tend to lean toward cognitive-behavioral and behavioral interventions that have the most research to support their use with children and adolescents. I emphasize strengths and my goals are to reduce suffering and increase life satisfaction. I want your child to thrive, not just survive. In some cases, this may mean consulting with the parent to implement interventions at home with a younger child, as the parent-child relationship is the most important. In older children and adolescents, we may all work together or in pairs. We will create a plan that’s right for your child and your family. My clients report that I am warm, supportive, and caring, but can also be firm and directive as needed.
My Background
Credentials, Training, & Education
Licenses and Credentials:
California Licensed Psychologist (PSY28085) Expires 2/23/2024
Clear Pupil Personnel Services Credential: School Psychology
(California Commission on Teaching Credentialing #170076145)
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NASP Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP 36407)
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Education:
Ph.D. in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology
University of California, Santa Barbara APA-accredited program
Ed.S. in Educational Psychology, Emphasis: School Psychology
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
NASP-accredited program
M.S. in Educational Psychology, Emphasis: School Psychology
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
B.S. in Social Science, Minor: Psychology, Emphasis: Child Development
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Clinical Experiences
I have provided individual, family, and group clinical interventions for preschool children through adolescence in variety of settings including: outpatient and community based, residential treatment, all levels of schools, juvenile halls, probation involved youth, and inpatient facilities. I have worked with a wide variety of challenges and mental health needs of childhood and adolescence. To name few, I have worked with behavioral problems at every developmental level, emotional instability, perfectionism, traumatic stress, adjustment to new situations (such as divorce, new schools), developmental concerns, depression, bipolar disorder, and social difficulties. I have been a credentialed school psychologist since 2006 and provided school-based mental health services until 2011 with many populations of youth. I received pre-doctoral internship training (APA-accredited) at the Youth Opportunity Center, Inc. in Muncie Indiana. There, I worked provided individual, family, and group therapy with multi-crisis families and youth with a variety of needs from traumatic stress, mood disorders, substance abuse, and sexually maladaptive behaviors. I also provided court-ordered psychological evaluations of youth and adults for dependency and juvenile courts. My postdoctoral experiences were providing court ordered psychological evaluations to youth in Ventura County, providing mental health screenings in Ventura County schools, and consultations to school-based mental health providers.
Professor Experience
My primary job is as an Associate Professor at Lewis & Clark College. My graduate students are school psychologists-in-training. I have been a professor since 2012.
Research
As a university professor, part of my job includes research. Generally, my research program is focused on the identification and prevention of disruptive behavior problems and the prevention of school violence. As a researcher, I have also written about my work and expertise in professional outlets. I have written several peer-review journal articles and book chapters. I have provided numerous professional presentations.
My Personal Story
I moved to Santa Barbara in 2008 for graduate school at UCSB. I left in 2011 to finish my training and was lucky enough to be able to return in 2014. My partner and I have two young children and we are thrilled to be able to raise our family in this beautiful place. In 2021, we relocated our family to the Portland, Oregon area to raise our kids with cousins and grandparents. We love how green it is in the Pacific Northwest. Having a private practice is my passion. I love my work as a professor, but it is a true privilege to work closely with families as a psychologist.