CSPP Student Profile: Carmen Velazquez

Carmen Velazquez is a fourth year doctoral student in the Clinical Psychology PhD program at Alliant’s San Francisco campus. She is currently working on her dissertation, “Reading level and acculturation on performance of executive functioning,” with a focus on Mexican Americans, and hoping to collect data this semester. This is a change from her first research project, a study of adolescents and academic success tied to the home. She has already presented her research at the APA Convention in New Orleans in 2006 and at the APA Convention in San Francisco in 2007.

Carmen has had diverse practicum experiences. She has learned about play therapy and worked at an elementary school early intervention program. For her practicum last year she worked at the Ananda Institute, a non-profit family health center. She dealt with child protective services and children who were in foster care or wards of the state, but her focus was mainly in neuropsychology and domestic violence, supervising evaluations for learning disability assessments. She also worked with anger and impulse control and trauma, and has continued to work at Ananda this year.

It was this practicum experience that inspired Carmen’s dissertation. “It brought attention to this area that is lacking in research,” she says. “That’s one thing that I really value about CSPP. I’ve been able to truly integrate clinical and research. A lot of my clinical work has really inspired my research. There is a really good balance between clinical and research and that gives you room to grow into a specialization. It’s a great feeling when you start to find your focus. It’s especially rewarding to be able to speak on your specialization topic."

Carmen also values the peer relationships she’s formed in the program. “We all share a common ground. It’s great to be in an environment where everyone is there with you. It’s supportive and communal. I know for a fact that I can call and consult my peers. We will have these long outstanding relationships as psychologists.” Carmen is also grateful for the opportunities the program has afforded her, such as networking. Since CSPP’s professors are also practicing clinicians and researchers, students are already building a network in the field, as well as making contacts at conferences, presentations and symposiums.

Carmen is from Napa, California and wanted to stay close to home, so CSPP was a perfect fit for her. She was especially drawn to CSPP's mission statement about multiculturalism and internationalism. “Other schools talk about that but it is not a highlighted focus like it is here,” says Carmen. “I was also drawn to the clinical and research balance.”

Since arriving at CSPP, Carmen has learned about the benefits of CSPP’s reputation and alumni and professional network. The Director of the Ananda Institute is a graduate of CSPP. “A lot of individuals in the Bay Area in this field have an affiliation with CSPP. It’s great to know that they respect CSPP and recognize it as a competent program. They know I have the training and will gain the necessary experience. CSPP allows you to gain expertise in your area of interest. I value that and my agency knows that and values that.”

Carmen was surprised by the amount of knowledge she has already gained through the program, and also how much she is enjoying herself. “I wanted to do something with my life that was important to me but I never knew how much I would gain and grow, as an individual, student, and even with my family and friends. I’ve learned my limits, strengths and weaknesses, even how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Being able to balance work and home and friends has been a great experience, because that's hard to do.”

After graduation Carmen would like to practice neuropsychology, particularly with Latinos. “That makes me happy, giving back to my community, which is really important to me.”