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Ashley Walsdorf

Dr. Ashley Walsdorf
Biography

Dr. Ashley Walsdorf, LMFT, is an Assistant Professor of Couple and Family Therapy in the online program at Alliant International University. She is also a licensed, bilingual Couple and Family Therapist and Approved Supervisor in Austin, Texas, and a research consultant at the University of Texas at Austin where she researches ethnic-racial socialization and the effects of socio-political climate on mental health among Latinx communities. She has been practicing therapy in both English and Spanish with individuals, couples, and families for over 10 years. She received her PhD from the University of Georgia in 2019 with a specialization in working with multicultural communities and immigration law. Dr. Walsdorf specializes in working with Latinx, LGBTQ, immigrant, and multicultural communities from a culturally responsive lens. Her research interests broadly focus on issues of social justice and systems of power and inequity. Current projects relate to Latinx trauma and mental health, affirmative clinical work with LGBTQ communities, White racial socialization, and Critical Whiteness.

Professional Interests
  • Impact of socio-political climate on Latinx families
  • Critical Whiteness/White racial socialization
  • Cultural responsiveness and LGBTQ affirmative therapy 
Education and Certifications
  • PhD, University of Georgia
  • AAMFT Approved Supervisor
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Georgia, Texas
  • Board Approved Supervisor, Texas
  • Quantitative Methods Certificate: Advanced quantitative methods training in structural equation modeling (SEM), longitudinal analyses (e.g., growth curve, growth mixture modeling), person-centered analyses (e.g., latent class analysis), and multi-level modeling. Completed December 2017
  • 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher
Courses
  • Diversity and the Family
  • Advanced MFT Theories I
  • Research Methods
  • Introduction to Psychopathology
  • Group Therapy
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Walsdorf, A. A., Roche, K. M., Caughy, M. O., & McGeorge, C. R. (2022). "Latinx parents‚Äô perceptions of how the changing immigration climate has affected their adolescent children." Journal of Latinx Psychology, 10(1), 54‚Äì70. https://doi.org/10.1037/lat0000199
  • Walsdorf, A. A., Jordan, L. S., & Valdez, C. R. (2022, November). Critical whiteness studies: A theoretically informed method for the family sciences. In, L. S. Jordan (Chair), Disrupting whiteness: Applying critical theories as methods in racially-just research [Poster Symposium]. National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), Minneapolis, MN. 
  • Walsdorf, A. A., Jordan, L. S., & Valdez, C. R. (2022, November). Creating an observational tool to examine what white parents teach their children about race. Workshop presented at the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR), Minneapolis, MN.
  • Walsdorf, A. A., Wagner, K. M., Cantu, A. G., Villatoro, A. P., Salgado de Snyder, V. N., Garcia, D., & Valdez, C. R. (2022, August). "Localized and collective witnessing among Latinx young adults: Mental health and mobilizing effects." In A. A. Walsdorf (Chair), Latinx young adults‚ experiences of family, socio-political climate, and the COVID-19 pandemic [Symposium]. American Psychological Association Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Osborne, K. R., Walsdorf, A. A., Smith Bynum, M., Redig, S. L., Brinkley, D., Owen, M. T., & Caughy, M. O. (accepted). Responding to racism at school: Ethnic-racial socialization and the academic engagement of Black and Latinx youth. Child Development.
  • Contreras, M., Osborne, K. R., Walsdorf, A. A., Anderson, L. A., Owen, M.T., & Caughy, M. O. (2022). "Holding both truths: Early dynamics of ethnic-racial socialization and children‚Äôs behavioral adjustment in African American and Latinx families." Journal of Social Issues, 77(4), 987‚Äì1013. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12496
  • Walsdorf, A. A., Roche, K. M., & Caughy, M. O. (2022, May). "Latinx parents' perceptions of how the changing immigration climate has affected their adolescent children." Paper symposium presented at the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD) Special Topics Conference, Puerto Rico, USA. 
  • Walsdorf, A., Jordan, L., Roche, K., & Falusi, O. (2021 November). "Latinx adolescents' vicarious witnessing of family separations at the border." Paper symposium presented at the National Council on Family Relations (NCFR) Virtual Conference.
  • Roche, K. M., Walsdorf, A. A., Jordan, L., & Falusi, O. O. (2021). "The contemporary anti-immigrant environment and Latin American-origin adolescents' perceived futures: A phenomenographic content analysis." Journal of Child and Family Studies, 30, 2328‚Äì2339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10826-021-02015-0
  • Jordan, L. S., Walsdorf, A. A., Roche, K. M., & Falusi, O. O. (2021). "'I am affected in all the ways': A phenomenographic analysis of Latinx adolescents' perceptions of family separations at the border." Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 27(4), 736-745. https://doi.org/10.1037/cdp0000416
  • McGeorge, C. R., Coburn, K. O., & Walsdorf, A. A. (2021). "Deconstructing cissexism: The journey of becoming an affirmative family therapist for transgender and nonbinary clients." Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 47(3), 785-802. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12481
  • Walsdorf, A. A., Jordan, L. S., McGeorge, C. R., & Caughy, M. O. (2020). "White supremacy and the web of family science: Implications of the missing spider." Journal of Family Theory and Review, 12(1), 64-79. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12364
  • Walsdorf, A. A., Machado, Y., & Bermdez, J. M. (2019). "Undocumented and mixed-status Latinx families: Sociopolitical considerations for systemic practice." Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 30(4), 245-271. https://doi.org/10.1080/08975353.2019.1679607

Momoko Takeda

Alliant Faculty Member
Biography

Dr. Momoko Takeda is an assistant professor in the Couple and Family Therapy program at Alliant International University. She is originally from Japan and earned her B.A. from Meiji Gakuin University and M.S. from Ochanomizu University in Japan, and is a licensed clinical psychologist there. She attended Alliant International University for her M.A. and University of Akron for her Doctorate in Couple and Family Therapy. In between M.A. and Ph.D. in the US, she worked for Monterey County Behavioral Health and worked with children and families. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and AAMFT approved supervisor.  

Professional Interests

Mindfulness, multicultural competencies, training and education for MFTs, supervision, use of traditional methods and somatic approaches in mental health treatment, school-based mental health work, Collaborative Therapy.

Education and Certifications
  • PhD, University of Akron
  • LMFT (CA)
  • International Certificate in Collaborative Dialogic Practices
Courses
  • MFT Practicum
  • MFT Theories II
  • MFT Assessment
  • MFT Law & Ethics
  • Personality and Affect
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Finney, N., Gordon, F., & Takeda, M. (2019). Mindfulness based practices for counseling children [Conference presentation]. All Ohio Counseling Conference, Columbus, OH, United States. 
  • Katafiasz, H., Patton, R., Tefteller, D., & Takeda, M. (2021). "Ethical decision-making in marriage and family therapy: A review of the literature." Journal of Systemic Therapies, 30(4), 29-39. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2020.39.4.29
  • Katafiasz, H., Patton, R., Tefteller, D., & Takeda, M. (2021).‚ "Ethical decision-making in marriage and family therapy: An introduction of a new model." Journal of Systemic Therapies, 30(4), 40-55. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2020.39.4.40

Ingrid Solano

Alliant Faculty Member
Biography

I received my PhD From Stony Brook University in New York working with Dr. K. Daniel O'Leary. I received my Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Hofstra University in New York.  I completed 2 years of externship at Yale, as one of the therapists on the first and only NIH funded RCT of LGBT Affirming therapy with Dr. John Pachankis. I completed my Internship and Post doc in the VA focusing on Trauma-focused therapy (specializing in individuals and couples dealing with experiences of sexual assault), serious mental illness, and couples therapy.  I also worked as a staff psychologist at the VA with an additional focus in sex therapy and educating clinicians about sexual orientation and gender diversity.  In addition to teaching at Alliant, I have a private practice that focuses on these specialties in interpersonal relationships, and the unique stressors and considerations for bi-coastal creatives (i.e., artists, actors, musicians) in New York City and Los Angeles.

Professional Interests
  •  Minority stress and mental health outcomes 
  • Trauma Resiliency in intra/interpersonal relationships 
  • Impact of communication/self-disclosure about Sexuality (i.e., preferences, practices, kinks, sexual orientation, gender identity, pornography consumption) on relationship and sexual satisfaction 
  • Impact of internal processes related to concealment of authentic self on mental health disparities and relationship functioning 
Education and Certifications
  • PhD in Clinical Psychology, Stony Brook University
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist in New York
  • 2018 President's Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student, Stony Brook University
  • Cognitive Processing Therapy Certified 
  • Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy Certified 
  • Gottman Method Couples Therapy Level 2 
  • Certified Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP) 
  • Integrative Couples Therapist Certification (ICT) 
Courses
Individual And Family Life Cycle
Social Basis of Behavior
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Rashkovsky, K., Solano, I., Khalifian, C., Morland, L., & Knopp, K. (2022).  "Interpersonal trauma  histories and relationship functioning among LGB veteran couples seeking PTSD treatment." Military Psychology, 1-15. doi: 10.1080/08995605.2021.2016308 
  • Solano, I., Eaton, N. R., & O'Leary, K. D. (2018). "Pornography consumption, modality, and function in a large internet sample." Journal of Sex Research, 1-12. doi: 10.1080/00224499.2018.1532488 
  • Leary, K. D., & Solano, I. (2017). "Relationship Discord, Intimate Partner Physical Aggression and Externalizing Problems of Children." In Lochman, J. E, & Matthys, W. (Eds.). The Wiley Handbook of Disruptive and Impulse Control Disorders. 
  • Babcock, J., Armenti, N., Cannon, C., Lauve-Moon, K., Buttell, F., Ferreira, R.,  Solano, I. (2016). "Domestic violence perpetrator programs: A proposal for evidence-based standards in the United States." Partner Abuse, 7(4), 355‚Äì460. https://doi.org/10.1891/1946-6560.7.4.355Ôdž
  • Salwen, J., Solano, I, & O'Leary, K. D. (2015). "Sexual coercion and psychological aggression victimization: Unique constructs and predictors of depression." Partner Abuse, 6(4), 367-382. 
  • Askew, J., Rampasaud, D., Solano, I., & Donaldson, J.  (2012). "An exploration of multi-systemic factors contributing to sexual risk taking in minority suburban youth." Vulnerable Children & Youth Studies: An International Interdisciplinary Journal for Research, Policy and Care, 1-13. 
  • Calderon, S., Elman, J., Eyler., L., Kangas, J., & Solano, I. (2020, May). Ally Skills Workshop for Trainees. Department of Psychiatry PET Council Professional Development Series, University of California San Diego and San Diego VA, San Diego, CA. 
  • Solano, I. (2020, March). The Affairs Model for couples and infidelity. Presented to the National Couple and Family Didactic series, Veterans Affairs. 
  • Solano, I. (2020, March). Military Sexual Trauma: Clinical considerations. Presented to Dr. Leslie Morland‚Äôs Scholar Seminar, San Diego VA, San Diego, CA.
  • Solano, I. (2019, December; 2020, January). Transgender- and LGBTQ-Affirmative practices in the VA: Considering experiences of diversity. Presented to: Dr. Leslie Morland's Scholar Seminar, and Mission Valley BHIP Team, San Diego VA, San Diego, CA.
  • Solano, I. (2019, May). Attributions of blame as predictors of relationship outcomes among men with alcohol use. Presented at VA Maryland Health Care System/University of Maryland, School of Medicine Psychology Internship Consortium 2019 Intern Research Presentations, Baltimore, MD.
  • Solano, I. (2018, November). Romantic relationship pornography consumption: Associations with perceived partner acceptance, communication, and concealment of consumption. Presented in Some harm in looking: Implications of pornography use for relationship and sexual outcomes symposium (Chair: C. Huntington) at the 52nd Annual Convention for the Association of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Washington, D.C.
  • Solano, I. (2018, May). Minority stress and intersectional stigma case presentation (Chair: J. Pachankis, & M. L. Hatzenbuehler) at ESTEEM case conference, Yale University, New York, NY. 
  • Solano, I., Rodriguez-Seijas, C., Bannon, S. M.,Eaton, N. R., & O'Leary, K. D. (2017, November).Mediation of the Association Between Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration and Alcohol Use Through the Transdiagnostic Externalizing System. Presented at the Association for Behavioral Cognitive Therapies Annual Convention held in San Diego, CA.
  • Solano, I., & O'Leary, K. D. (2017, November). Negotiation of Pornography Usage: Implications for Romantic Relationships. Presented at the Association for Behavioral Cognitive Therapies Annual Convention held in San Diego, CA.
  • Solano, I. (2017, May). Intimate Partner Violence. Guest lecture for Psychology of Women's Health, Stony Brook, NY.
  • Solano, I. (2017, June). Couples Therapy: Addressing Personal Biases. Guest lecture for The Science of Intimate Relationships, Stony Brook, NY.
  • Solano, I., Eaton, N. R., & O'Leary, K. D. (2016, September). An Empirical Definition of‚ 'Pornography' Across Differential Use by Gender and Age. Presented at the VIII Ibero American Congress of Clinical and Health Psychology held in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
  • Solano, I., Bannon, S. M. & O'Leary, K. D. (2016, July).  Gender and the Associations between Pornography Usage and Intimate Partner Violence.  Presented at the International Family Violence and Child Victimization Research Conference held in Portsmouth, NH.
  • Solano, I., Eaton, N. R., & O'Leary, K. D. (2016, May). Individual Differences in the Prevalence and Appeal of Pornography Use: Navigating Relationships and Sexuality. Presented at the Association for Psychological Science Annual Convention held in Chicago, NY.

Franchesca Fontus

Dr. Franchesca Fontus
Biography

Dr. Franchesca Fontus is an Assistant Professor of Couple and Family Therapy at Alliant International University. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), she provides culturally sensitive therapeutic services to diverse groups of individuals, couples, and families in private practice, specializing in improving mental wellness and relationships. Her clinical experiences include community-based, school-based, and substance-based treatment for children, teens, and adults. As an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Clinical Fellow and AAMFT Approved Supervisor, she is passionate about mentoring students, supervisees, and early researchers. Dr. Fontus is informed by a Bowen Family Systems Theory lens and has special research interests in issues of culture & diversity and the lived experiences of therapists.

Additionally, Dr. Fontus served on the Broward Association for Marriage and Family Therapy in South Florida and is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University, having earned Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Family Therapy. 

Professional Interests

Bowen Family Systems Theory; Trauma; Family Trauma; Couple and Family Relationships; Culture & Diversity: Working clinically with Black, African-American, and Afro-Caribbean Communities, Working clinically with Faith-Based Communities, Exploration of Haitian-American Experiences; MFT Training and Supervision: Exploring Therapists' Experiences of Personal Loss & Impacts on their Clinical Practice, Self-Of-The-Therapist Development 

Education and Certifications
  • PhD in Family Therapy, Nova Southeastern University 
  • MS in Family Therapy 
  • Approved  Supervisor Candidate (2022)
  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)                     
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (2018)
  • The Florida Department of Health                                 
  • State of Florida | License No: MT3464
  • Clinical Fellow    (2018)
  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) 
Courses
  • Diversity And The Family
  • Individual And The Family 
  • MFT Practicum
  • Group Therapy
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Fontus, F. (2022, April). Diversity Dialogues: Normalizing Therapy within Black and Brown Communities. Pfeiffer Institute for Marriage and Family Therapy. Pfeiffer University. Workshop presented on Zoom.
  • Beliard, C., Cunningham, P., Fontus, F., & Moye, D. (2018). "Therapists of Color: Surviving Long Enough to Keep Fighting." Journal of Systemic Therapies, Vol. 37, No. 1, 2018, pp. 18‚Äî26. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2018.37.1.18 
  • Fontus, F., Hood, A. (2018, May). Utilizing Systemic Principles to Increase Resiliency in Afro-Caribbean Women Who Have Experienced Trauma. Workshop presented at The Broward Behavioral Health Coalition‚ Behavioral Health Conference, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

Danielle Gissinger

Danielle Gissinger
Biography

Danielle Gissinger, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), Los Angeles. Most recently, before joining CSPP in Fall 2021, Dr. Gissinger was on the faculty at Merrimack College in Massachusetts and maintained a private practice as a licensed psychologist in New Hampshire. Dr. Gissinger earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University at Buffalo and completed both her doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of New Hampshire Counseling Center.

Professional Interests

Multicultural competence; social justice; social class in higher education; college student mental health; yoga, meditation, and mindfulness-based interventions; narrative theory and storytelling; training and supervision; qualitative research

Education and Certifications
  • Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, University at Buffalo
  • M.A., English, Duquesne University
  • B.A., English & Political Science, Duquesne University

Kimberly Finney

Kimberly Finney
Biography

Board certified clinical psychologist, college professor, author, and a retired U.S. Air Force psychologist. After completing a fellowship in psychopharmacology and a post-doctoral master's degree in psychopharmacology, I was able prescribed medication while serving in the military. 

Working conceptual framework is psychodynamic therapy and interpersonal therapy and enjoys working with students on qualitative research related to psychological and social problems related to inequality, inequities and the Grand Challenges related to Health.

Professional Interests

Mind Body Psychology is the major umbrella of interest which includes race related trauma, military related trauma, and unresolved childhood trauma. In addition, clinical psychopharmacology and first responder mental health have been of interest. Currently working on diversity, inclusion and exclusion topics related to the practice of medicine and academic pedagogy.

Education and Certifications
  • Master of Arts, Wright State University, Applied Behavioral Science – Organizational Training and Development, Dayton, Ohio
  • Bachelor of Science, Rush University- Medical Technology in Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois

     

Post-Graduate Education

  • Keck school of Medicine, School of Public Health projected graduation date 2022, Spring
  • Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology, Post- Doctoral Degree, Nova
  • Southwestern University, Center for Psychological Studies, Ft Lauderdale, Florida
  • Doctor of Psychology, Wright State University, School of Professional Psychology-Clinical Psychology, Dayton, Ohio

     

Clinical License

  • Licensed Psychologist, California, Active
  • Licensed Psychologist, Indiana, Active

     

Board Certification

  • American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Active
  • American Board of Medical Psychology (ABMP), Active
  • American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Finney, K. (2020). African American Professors in Predominantly White Institutions. The Reality of Diversity, Gender, & Skin Color: From the Living Room to the Classroom. Cognella Academic Publishing
  • Finney, K. (2020). Environmental Consequences: A Discussion on Stress and Wellness. The Reality of Diversity, Gender, & Skin Color: From the Living Room to the Classroom. Cognella Academic Publishing
  • Crenshaw, G & Finney, K. (2020). Conclusion and Analysis on the Reality of Racism: An American Cancer, American Original Sin. The Reality of Diversity, Gender, & Skin Color: From the Living Room to the Classroom. Cognella Academic Publishing
  • Finney,K. (2018) Basic Principle of Psychopharamcology. First Edition Cengage Publications
  • Finney, K. (2018) "Treating the trauma of military sexual trauma and psychopharmacology (chapter 6)." In Understanding and treating military sexual trauma, Zaleski, K: Springer.
  • Zaleski, K., Araque, J., Finney, K., (2017) Empathy in Social Work, submitted to Journal of Social Work Education
  • Finney, K. & Smith-Maddox, R., Smoking Cessation Drugs for the SAGE Encyclopedia of Pharmacology and Society (2016)

     

Abstracts and Presentations

  • Finney, K (2020) DCFS BBS Training, Los Angeles County, Understanding Psychopharmacology (3CEUs)
  • Finney, K (2019) Iranian-American Law Conference, Los Angeles, Cultural Competency in Family Law
  • Finney, K (2019) Military and Veterans as part of the Perspectives on Native American Issues event, Panelist, Los Angeles, USC
  • Finney, K (2019) LEAD Los Angeles Police Department Training, Domestic Violence
  • Finney, K (2019) Marshall School of Business, Reintegration Training for Navy SEALS

Tom Carlson

Tom Carlson
Biography

Tom Carlson joined the CFT Program at Alliant International University-San Diego Campus, as a full professor in 2021. He brings 21 years of teaching and supervision experience in a COAMFTE accredited training program. Dr. Carlson is committed to centering his teaching, supervision, and clinical practice in social justice principles. He has published widely on feminist and social justice approaches to training and supervision as well as LGBTQ affirmative therapy and training. Dr. Carlson and his colleagues at North Dakota State University were awarded the AAMFT Training Award in 2012 for their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice in CFT training. Dr. Carlson has also published widely on the topic of narrative therapy as it relates to therapy, supervision, and training. He is the co-editor of the Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy and the developer of a unique approach to narrative couples therapy called “Relational Accountability” that invites couples to nurture stories of love and compassion in one another through the intentional living out of narrative ethics in their lives and relationships. Dr. Carlson is passionate about developing alternative pedagogies for training therapists and is the co-author, along with David Epston and Travis Heath, of the soon to be published book entitled, “Reimagining Narrative Therapy Through Practice Stories and Autoethnography.” Dr. Carlson is also the co-developer, along with David Epston, of an innovative trauma-informed performative approach to narrative therapy called “Insider Witnessing Practices” invites clients to be witnesses to a dramatic retelling of the counter stories of their lives.

Education and Certifications
  • Ph.D. Iowa State University
     

Credentials and Certifications

  • Fellow and Approved Supervision American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Courses
  • Couples Therapy
  • Diversity and the Family
  • MFT Theories and Techniques I
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Paljakka, S. & Carlson, T. (2020). "Love is not dead yet. Narrative couples therapy in times on unlove." Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy. December Release.
  • Carlson, T. (2020). "What is a good story? Counterstorying in narrative therapy." Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. April Release.
  • Carlson, T. (2020). "Who is the insider in insider and outsider witnessing practices." Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy. April Release.
  • Zimmerman, J. & Carlson, T. (2020). "Insider Witnessing Practices, Trauma, and Neuro-Affectional Reauthoring". Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. April Release.
  • Carlson, T. S., & Epston, D., H. (2017). "Insider witnessing practices: A preliminary discussion: Part One." Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. March Release.
  • Carlson, T. S., & Epston, D., H. (2017). "Insider witnessing practices: A preliminary discussion: Part Two." Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. March Release.
  • Carlson, T. S., Corturillo, E. M., & Freedman, J. (2017). "There’s always a puppy (and sometimes a bunny): A story about a story about a story." Journal of Systemic Therapies, 35(3), 73-82.
  • Carlson, T. S., Corturillo, E. M., Huerta Lopez, A. Vedvei, S. & Pilkington, S. (2017). "Learning narrative therapy backwards: Exemplary Tales as an Alternative Pedagogy for Learning Practice." Journal of Systemic Therapies, 36(1), 94-107.
  • McGeorge, C. R., Carlson, T. S., & Maier, C. (2017). "Are we there yet? Faculty Members’ Beliefs and Teaching Practices Related to the Ethical Treatment of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients." Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 43(2), 322-337.
  • McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2016). "The state of lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative Training: A survey of faculty from accredited couple and family therapy programs." Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 42(1), 153-167.
  • Carlson, T. S. & Haire, A. R. (2014). "Toward a Theory of Relational Accountability: An Invitational Approach to Living Narrative Ethics in Couple Relationships." International Journal of Narrative Therapy & Community Work, 3, 1-16.
  • Carlson, T. S., McGeorge, C. R., & Toomey, R. B. (2013). "Establishing the validity of the lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative training inventory: Assessing the relationship between affirmative training and clinical competence." Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 39(2). 209-222.
  • McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2011). "Deconstructing heterosexism: Becoming an LGB affirmative heterosexual couple and family therapist." Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 37(1), 14-26.

Talia Szydlo

Talia Szydlo
Biography

Dr. Talia Szydlo is a psychologist licensed in California and in the United Kingdom. She holds a full-time Core Faculty position in the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at CSPP, Alliant International University, San Diego. In addition, she is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, where she collaborates with international clinicians and scholars conducting research on topics related to development processes.

Prior to moving to the US, Dr. Szydlo worked in London as a psychotherapist at the Mental Health Support Service of King’s College University, as well as at Parkside Clinic, where she provided long-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy to individual clients.

In private practice, Dr. Szydlo works with adults and young adults. Her clinical work focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of various psychological conditions (anxiety, depression, personality disorders, eating disorders, etc.), as well as with broader existential concerns such as how to live an authentic life, and connect meaningfully with other people.

Professional Interests

Dr. Szydlo enjoys conducting qualitative research as a way of building an in-depth understanding of unique lived experience and complex psychological phenomena. Her research interests include: culturally-informed developmental psychology, migration and its effect on the formation of identity, critical psychopathology, and the variable applications of psychoanalytic theory and existential philosophy in psychotherapy.

Courses
  • Advanced Psychopathology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Qualitative Methods of Research 
  • G2 Clinical Consultation 
  • G3 Clinical Consultation 
  • Psy.D Proposal Development
  • Psy.D Dissertation Supervision

Sara Lappan

Alliant Faculty Member
Professional Interests
  • Systemically-based interventions to reduce health disparities
  • Community Based Participatory Research
  • Cultural adaptation of Evidence-Based Interventions
  • Psychedelic-assisted treatments for trauma and addiction
  • Incorporating client feedback into therapy
Education and Certifications
  • PhD, Michigan State University
  • AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Courses
  • Supervision in MFT
  • Practicum
  • Trauma and Crisis Intervention
  • Advanced Family Therapy I
  • Advanced MFT Research: Qualitative
  • Chemical Dependency and the Family
  • MFT Theories and Techniques II
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

Danna Abraham

Danna Carter
Biography

As a light brown-skinned female who immigrated from Brazil, Danna arrived in the United States with many hopes for the future. As a young clinician, she was drawn even further towards her commitments to the community when she developed a particular interest in examining what kind of knowledges informed psychological practices. As these ideas solidified, she embraced aspects of therapy that invited people to broaden the ways they think about themselves and others. Once she obtained an MFT licensure in California, she worked closely with the LatinX community at a local children’s hospital in San Diego where she was privileged to witness the perseverance of families seeking her help in the face of adversity and life constraints. 

Her clinical work focused on helping children and adolescents who experienced self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Working on the behavioral health frontlines with economically disadvantaged families sparked her interest in pursuing her doctoral studies. Without reservations, she made the commitment to diversity and social equity extended to supporting young therapists in a mentorship role. As an AAMFT-approved supervisor, she dedicated her time to help students and interns focusing on culturally sensitive practices as well as providing supervision in English and Spanish. In her teaching, she attempts to recapture the essence of relational ethics between learner and mentor. She hopes that the considerations and efforts to reverse traditional hierarchical roles in academia can offer new possibilities in a sacred space of learning where the importance of examining our own values/ethics facilitate conversations for rich and equity-based learning.

Dr. Abraham is the director of the Research Initiative for Storytelling Engagement (RISE) Lab. She is committed to explore structural gender inequalities in higher education. www.theriselab.com

Professional Interests
  • Narrative practices
  • Supervision & Pedagogy
  • Community-based research
  • Quantitative and qualitative research methods
  • Animal-assisted interventions
Education and Certifications
  • Education 1: PhD, Loma Linda University
  • Education 2: M.S in Counseling, San Diego State University
  • Education 3: B.S in Psychology, University of Fortaleza

 

Credentials and Certifications

  • AAMFT Approved Supervisor (2017)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (2013)
  • Peace Officer with 5150 Certification, San Diego County Behavioral Health  Agency (2015). San Diego, CA
  • Certification in Emergency Services Approved Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training (2009). San Diego, CA
  • Animal-Assisted Interventions, PESI (2015). San Diego, CA
  • Conflict Resolution Certificate, National Conflict Resolution Center (2008). Rimini, Italy

 

Honors

  • 2020 Research Excellence Award - Loma Linda University
Courses

  • Diversity and the Family

  • MFT Theories and Techniques 1

  • MFT Practicum

  • MFT Assessment

  • Group Therapy

  • MFT Theories and Techniques 2

  • Advanced Statistics 1

  • MFT Research Methods

  • Internship Supervision

  • Supervision in MFT

  • Advanced Quantitative Methods

Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

  • Abraham, D. (2024, in press). Therapy tales from Dominic the pit. Mascot Books.

  • Abraham, D. (2023). Have you received the gift of adversity this season? Op – Ed. San Diego Union Tribune. San Diego, CA.

  • Abraham, D. (2024, Feb). I am brave enough... to claim my space. Invited Presentation Regional Student Diversity Summit. Bishop High School. Feb 4th, 2024. San Diego, Ca.

  • Abraham, D. (2024, Apr). Re-politicizing MFT Education & Practice. 50 year Anniversary CFT program. Alliant International University. Invited Presentation. Systemwide.

  • Abraham, D. (2023, Oct). Reimaging Family Therapy through Research and Practice. Invited Speaker. AAMFT Virtual Systemic Family Therapy Conference. Sponsored by AAMFT.

  • Abraham, D., Chandler, D., DeGraff, A., Fontus, F., Osborne, K. R., Somo, C. M., & Walsdorf, A. A. (2023, May). The race between us: Exploring justice and relational ethics through “race talks.” Workshop presented at the International Conference on Contextual Therapy 2023 (ICCT2023) in Long Beach, CA.

  • Abraham, D. (2023). Exploring adversity and its value in your story development. Regional Student Diversity Summit. Bishop High School. Feb 4th, 2023. San Diego, Ca.

  • Carter, D. & Carlson, T. (2021). "Narrative Supervision as Counterstory Development." Journal of Narrative Family Therapy.
  • Distelberg, B., Carter, D., Ochoa, S. (2021). "The Golden Apartments Permanent Housing Program Baseline Report." The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino.
  • Carter, D. (2020). "Witness to Witness Psychosocial Support Pilot Study Program Evaluation." Migrant Clinician Network. (Report No. 1).
  • Distelberg, B., Carter, D., & Ochoa, S. (2020). "No Child Left Unsheltered (NCLU)." The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (Report No. 5).
  • Distelberg, B., & Carter, D. (2019). "Maplewood Report: A community needs assessment." The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (Report No. 2).
  • Distelberg, B., Carter, D., & Ochoa, S. (2019). "No Child Left Unsheltered (NCLU) study report." The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (Report No. 4).
  • Distelberg, B, Carter, D.,(2018) "Launch Initiative Report." Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP). (Report No. 1).

 

Presentations

  • Carter, D., & Carlson, T. (2021, Accepted Presentation). Narrative Supervision as a Counter Story Development: Embracing relational knowledge and personal experience. 43rd Annual AFTA Conference 1st Virtual Conference.
  • Carter, D., & Distelberg, B. (2020, Accepted Presentation). No Child Left Unsheltered: Examining the politics of navigating the systems of homelessness. Annual AFTA conference, Alexandria, VA.
  • Carter, D., & Carlson, T. (2020, Accepted Presentation). Narrative Supervision as a Counter Story Development: Embracing relational knowledge and personal experience. Annual AFTA Conference, Alexandria, VA.
  • Carter, D., & Distelberg, B. (2019, November). Relationships for social change: A Longitudinal Examination of a Promotora-led program for Socioeconomic Mobility. Poster 2019 NCFR Conference, Fort Worth, TX.
  • Carter, D. (2019, November). Advancing Culturally Responsiveness practices. Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA.
  • Carter, D. (2019, June). Relationships for Social Change. Annual AFTA Conference, Oakland, CA.
  • Carter, D. (2016, September). All you wanted to know about 504's and IEPs and the Educational Mental Health Services in Schools. Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA.
  • Grame, T., & Carter, D. (2015, May) Addressing compassion fatigue in the work environment. Rady Children's Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry All Staff Seminar. San Diego, CA.
  • Carter, D. (2015, June). All you wanted to know about 504's and IEPs and the Educational Mental Health Services in Schools. Rady Children's Hospital, Outpatient Psychiatry, North Inland. In-Service, San Diego, CA.
  • Carter, D. (2014, June). Integrating technology in psychotherapy interventions. Rady Children's Hospital, Outpatient Psychiatry, North Inland/North Coastal in Service, San Diego, CA.

Nadine Nakamura

Dr. Nadine Nakamura
Biography

Nadine Nakamura, Ph.D. has served on the APA Presidential Task Force on Immigration and the APA Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, and as co-chair of the APA LGB Guidelines Revisions Task Force. She was awarded the American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Program Early Career Achievement Award in 2014, the National Multicultural Conference and Summit’s Rising Star Award in 2017, and the APA Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Outstanding Achievement Award in 2020. She is currently a member of APA’s Minority Fellowship Program’s Training Advisory Committee and the APA representative to the International Psychology Network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Issues. She is also active in the Asian American Psychological Association where she is serving as co-chair of the AAPA Leadership Fellows Program. 

Professional Interests

Her research focuses on understanding the unique needs of LGBTQ people of color, LGBTQ immigrants and asylum seekers, as well as LGBTQ international issues. 

Education and Certifications

Dr. Nakamura earned her BA in Psychology with a specialization in Asian American Studies from UCLA and earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University. 

Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

She has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, as well as a co-edited book titled LGBTQ Mental Health: International Perspectives and Experiences. 

Jacqueline Fahey

Jacqueline Fahey
Biography

Jacqueline Fahey, Psy.D., IFECMHS, is an Assistant Professor and the Program Director in the PsyD program at the Sacramento Campus. She has been with the Sacramento campus as a faculty member since 2021 and is a proud alumni of the Sacramento program as well. Dr. Fahey completed her APA-accredited internship with a community mental health agency, Family Service and Guidance Center, in Topeka, Kansas. She then completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the UC Davis Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences in the Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services (CAPS) Clinic in Sacramento, California. She has previously held positions with Job Corps - Sacramento, the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), Veterans Affairs (Mather), California State Prison – Sacramento, in addition to holding contracts doing psychological assessments to determine Social Security benefits as well as diagnostic/treatment recommendations for children/adolescents/young adults in Sutter County. Dr. Fahey is a graduate of the UC Davis Napa Infant-Parent Mental Health Fellowship and is certified as an Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist in the state of California.

When not working, Dr. Fahey is an avid reader, passionate gardener, novice poet and photographer, and loves being with her family. 

Professional Interests

Dr. Fahey has participated in numerous research projects and teams; however, her primary research interest is in the field of health psychology. Dr. Fahey has been completing research in this field since her undergraduate career. In 2016, Dr. Fahey traveled with fellow graduate students to rural villages in Vietnam to examine the impact of introducing health behavior change on the rates of parasitic disease. She then completed an additional qualitative research study that reviewed the impact of completing international research on graduate students' professional development. She currently has a research lab led by students that is exploring a variety of health-related topics, including perinatal/postpartum mental health. In addition to her research experience, she has extensive training in working with children ages 0-5, Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, trauma treatment (TF-CBT, CPT, etc.), Motivational Interviewing, and Exposure and Response Prevention for anxiety disorders. She is also passionate about teaching, supervision, the professional development of graduate students, and social justice. 

Education and Certifications
  • IFECMHS from the California Center for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health, California (2023)
  • Psy.D. from California School Professional Psychology, Sacramento (2019)
  • M.A. from California School Professional Psychology, Sacramento (2017)
  • B.S. from Santa Clara University (2014)
Courses
  • Advanced Psychopathology 
  • Introduction to Psychotherapy
  • Four-Course Dissertation Sequence
  • Group Practicum Consultation
  • Education, Consultation, and Advocacy 
  • Lifespan/Human Development
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Fahey, J. E. (2018). The Impact of the Mother-Son Relationship on Expressions of Aggression in Young Adulthood (Doctoral dissertation). CSPP at Alliant International University, Sacramento, CA. Defended Spring 2018.
  • Plante, T. G., Opezzo, M. A., Diaz, L. A., Pistoresi, S., Santos, M., Fahey, J. E., Kay, E., Britton, B., & Khan, S. (2014). "The Influence of Exercise Environment and Gender on Mood and Exertion." International Journal of Exercise Science, 7(3), 220-227.

     

Presentations

  • Fahey, J., Swanson, S., & Petersen, S. (2017, August). Imagine the Possibilities: The Impact of Conducting International Research. Poster session presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
  • Burns, J., Swanson, S., Lor, M., Schlinger, J., Pasha, S., Galvez, V., Fahey, J., Schumacher, J., Nicholson, V., Bobb, K., Baity, M. (2017, March). The Use of the Ego-Resiliency Scale (ER89-R) in Measuring Resiliency Among Combat Veterans. Poster session presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality Assessment, San Francisco, California.
  • Kay, E., Plante, T. G. Santos, M., Diaz, L., Lara, M., Britton, B., Moreno, P. E., Khan, S., Sia, M., & Fahey, J. (2013, March). The influence of gender, narcissism, and fitness environment on exercise exertion and mood. Paper session presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, San Francisco, California.

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