PhD

Dr. Zamzam Dini (she/her) is an Assistant Professor and core CFT faculty at the Irvine Campus.  She holds a PhD in Family Social Science, specializing in Couple and Family Therapy from the University of Minnesota, and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Dr. Dini’s research focuses on refugee family systems, seeking to understand the nuanced experiences of the different generations in a given family. Dr. Dini has developed a conceptual model, the Refugee Family Trauma and Adaptation (RFTA) Framework, to contextualize the intergenerational transmission of trauma in refugee family systems.

Dr. Dini employs interdisciplinary research to introduce systemic and relational thinking to increase culturally appropriate research methods and narratives when learning about Refugee, Immigrant, and Migrant (RIM) communities, publishing research with scholars from Psychology, Nursing, Sociology, and Communication fields. Dr. Dini’s clinical work primarily focuses on treating chronic and complex PTSD using evidence-based clinical interventions like Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET) and Brainspotting. Dr. Dini also works with adolescents, families, and couples, trained in PREPARE/ENRICH and Discernment Counseling.

Dr. Dini emphasizes bridging research and practice by providing workshops on trauma and refugee families to immigrant families, school staff, and providers in the community. Dr. Dini is a NET trainer and has been a keynote speaker and state and national professional organizations.

Dr. Jennifer Cates is a core faculty member in the online MA/PsyD/PhD programs at Alliant International University. She has been teaching, supervising, and engaging in scholarship as a full-time faculty member since 2006. Additionally, she has been practicing as a couple and family therapist since 2002.

She served as the Chair for the Couple and Family Therapy Department at Regis University from 2013 through 2024, and she was a core faculty in the COAMFTE accredited master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy Program from 2010 through 2024. Prior to that, she was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology at Central Washington University from 2006 through 2010, where she taught in the couple and family therapy track of a CACREP accredited counseling training program.

Her passion is teaching, supervising, and mentoring students and new professionals to be effective clinicians by increasing their awareness of their own cultural contexts so that they are better able to understand how their own and the cultural contexts of their clients inform the therapeutic process and outcomes.

She has published and presented on topics including white racial identity development, effective methods for integrating cultural context into the therapeutic process, social justice interventions, and supervision and training process and outcomes. An emphasis on cultural context and social justice is integrated into her teaching, supervision, and scholarship.

Caroline Mok, Ph.D. is an Adjunct Professor in the APA-accredited Clinical Psychology PsyD Program on the Emeryville Campus and first joined Alliant in 2022. Se received her doctorate in 2013 from Palo Alto University, completed her internship at Metropolitan State Hospital in Los Angeles and post-doctoral training at Palo Alto University and Department of Veteran Affairs in Palo Alto and, and stayed at the university for several years as a researcher, program director, and adjunct professor. Dr. Mok received extensive training in psychodiagnostic, neuropsychological, and forensic assessment at Department of Veteran Affairs and on inpatient units at Vacaville Prison and Metropolitan State Hospital. Dr. Mok continued her assessment practice in Berkeley, California, providing individual and group psychotherapy and assessment for the local community, surrounding schools, and attorneys in need of an expert witness in civil litigation proceedings. 

Dr. Osback received her undergraduate degree from Washington State University. Her undergraduate training included sociology and psychology, inspiring her interest in systems, education, and advocacy. Dr. Osback graduated from Alliant's Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program in 2021 and completed her post-doctoral training at Fresno City College's Psychological Services Center. She currently teaches full-time in the Fresno Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program and works in a community private practice part-time as a psychological assistant. Her clinical experience and research interests include Gestalt psychotherapy, issues in supervision, ethics, Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, ADHD, anxiety, and trauma.

Dr. Blackmon began her law enforcement career in 1998, working as an investigative intern with the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. A Florida native, she earned her undergraduate degree in Criminology at Florida State University. Having developed a deep passion for the criminal justice process, she went on to complete the police academy and joined the Clermont Police Department in Central Florida in 1999. While gaining experience in patrol, investigations, community relations and administration, she continued her studies and completed her master’s degree in criminal justice in 2006 from Nova Southeastern University and PhD in criminal justice from NSU in 2014. 

Dr. Blackmon's teaching background includes crime scene technology, law enforcement, and criminal justice at both online and brick and mortar institutions. She is a member in good standing of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Southern Association of Criminal Justice and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. 

Dr. Monique Levermore is the Founder of Levermore Psychological Services – a clinical/consulting private psychology practice incorporated in Florida, with satellite offices in Miami, West Palm Beach and Orlando, Florida. Dr. Levermore’s unorthodox private practice was partnered with a variety of state agencies to provide services to underserved and marginalized children and adults. She currently serves as a full professor and the Program Director of the APA accredited Clinical Psychology PhD Program at Alliant International University – California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles.

Her doctorate in Clinical Psychology was earned at Howard University in 1995. Previously, Dr. Levermore received the prestigious honor of being selected as a Clinical Fellow/ Intern in the Division of Psychology -Department of Psychiatry with a faculty appointment to Harvard Medical School. She has been honored as a Woman of Distinction in Education and Government by the Girl Scouts of Citrus Council Florida and has been honored in the past as Faculty Member of the Year at Albizu University and served as the DCT of the APA Accredited Program.

Finally, she currently holds medical privileges at Baptist Health and served two terms as the President of the Association of Black Psychologists – South Florida Chapter. Dr. Levermore recently founded Ruth’s Corner, a charitable organization designed to support widows, widowers and their children.

Dr. Reihaneh Mahdavishahri has earned her Psy.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Alliant International University.  She is a licensed marriage and family therapist in California.  Dr. Mahdavi has worked at community-based agencies and non-profit clinics as a therapist and served on several boards as a director and co-founder including the board of training and education, research, and diversity, equity and inclusion board.  Most recently, Dr. Mahdavi has offered consulting services to community-based providers and agencies, helping them create trauma-informed care systems and enhance the mental health professionals' ability to support clients from diverse backgrounds. Her clinical work has focused on women's issues, maternal wellness, immigration, intense couples therapy using Emotionally Focused Therapy, and working with LGBTQIA+ clients and their families.

Dr. Mahdavi's research continues to focus on addressing the needs of clients of color navigating the mental health care system and identifying barriers to effective and culturally informed care.

Luke Matthew Martin serves as an Adjunct Faculty Member for the Ph.D. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law program at the California School of Forensic Studies. He has completed his Bachelor's degree in English and Political Science, Master of Business Administration, and Juris Doctorate Degree specializing in Child, Family, and Elder Law with honors. 

He currently serves as a Staff Attorney with the California Associate of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). Prior to his time at CAMFT, Luke had a private practice focusing on civil litigation and served as general counsel for several businesses with annual revenues totaling well over $20 million. He has been recognized by the State Bar of California for his legal service to domestic violence victims and awarded the Wiley E. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services. 

Originally from Illinois, Dr. Craig Landers received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and theatre arts. He moved to the Bay Area after his undergraduate degree and attended Palo Alto University, where he earned his master’s degree and doctor of philosophy in clinical psychology. Working in both clinical and academic settings since his graduation, Dr. Landers’ research interests include pet bereavement and the use of video games in therapy. His teaching philosophy includes helping students to find their passion for learning, as well as emphasizing the need for empathy in the field of clinical psychology. For self-care, Dr. Landers spends his own therapeutic time with his dachshund and watching classic game shows. 

Dr. Victoria Williams is part of the Clinical PhD Psychology Program’s core faculty. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor and the program’s Clinical Director. She teaches ethics, diversity, and CBT at the Fresno campus, and teaches the advanced ethics course for the Clinical PsyD Program's Sacramento campus. Dr. Williams is originally from Brooklyn, New York, and has wanted to teach ever since she took an AP Psychology class during high school. She received her B.A. in Psychology at Wells College in 2014 and became a daycare teacher for infants the following year before beginning her journey in Fresno, California.

Dr. Williams received her Master’s in 2017 and a Doctorate of Philosophy in 2020 at the California School of Professional Psychology, Fresno campus. Her dissertation is titled, “Catfishing and Online Identity Management,” where she explored the relationships among online identity deception, Machiavellianism, adulthood attachment, and self-esteem. She has also collaborated with her colleagues on research regarding food insecurity in the community college population, and “sexting” in long-term relationships. She is currently writing a manuscript with a student, replicating her dissertation on catfishing. 

Additionally, Dr. Williams has had clinical training at sites including a group private practice, a juvenile detention facility, and the Batterer’s Intervention Program. She completed her internship and two years of post-doctoral work at the State Center Community College District (SCCCD), specifically Clovis Community College (CCC). It was at this site where she not only discovered her passion for working with the young adult population, but her dedication for social justice and facilitating weekly “Justice and Healing Talking Circles” for the employees. Some subjects discussed in these talking circles included, but are not limited to teaching kids about racism, learning about microaggressive trauma, and highlighting Black excellence. 

In her spare time, Dr. Williams loves listening to disco and “riot grrrl”(punk rock) music, FaceTiming her family, and is always open to hearing true crime podcast recommendations. Most importantly, Dr. Williams is a foodie and loves baked goods. 

Scott V. Masten is an Assistant Professor with appointments in the Psychology, Public Policy, and Law PhD Program at the Virtual Campus of Alliant International University (AIU) and the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at the California School of Professional Psychology of AIU, Sacramento.

Scott has been teaching graduate and undergraduate research methods and statistics courses for two decades at various institutions, including AIU, William Jessup University, Sacramento City College, and California State University (CSU), Sacramento.

He has a multidisciplinary background, with an Injury Epidemiology PhD from the University of North Carolina (UNC), Chapel Hill and Experimental Psychology MA from CSU, Sacramento. As a result, he is skilled in a diverse array of statistical techniques including ARIMA time series analysis, logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards survival analysis, generalized linear modeling, factor analysis, ANOVA/MANOVA covariate models, non-parametric techniques, meta-analysis, power analysis, and psychometric reliability and validity.

He also has two decades of applied research and program evaluation experience from working at the Hospital Quality Institute, the Office of AIDS of the California Department of Public Health, the UNC Highway Safety Research Center, and the Research and Development Branch of the California Department of Motor Vehicles, along with consulting work for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the National Safety Council, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other public and private organizations.