PsyD

Danna Abraham

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

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

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 alumna of the Sacramento PsyD program as well, which allows her to have a unique and balanced perspective. 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.

Outside of her time with Alliant, she keeps her clinical skills sharp by maintaining an active private practice through contracts with Sutter-Yuba Behavioral Health where she completes all of the psychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults, as well as court-appointed or contracted forensic evaluations.

Dr. Fahey is a proud graduate of the UC Davis Napa Infant-Parent Mental Health Fellowship and is certified as an Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist (IFECMHS) in the state of California. She is also credentialed as a Health Service Psychologist with the National Register.

When not working, Dr. Fahey is an avid reader, passionate gardener, novice poet and photographer, perseverant runner, and loves being with her family (including her two pugs).

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 at SCU, where she was in a health psychology lab. In her graduate studies, Dr. Fahey was active in two labs: one related to health psychology and the other lab which focused on a project related to Veterans. In 2016, Dr. Fahey traveled with her 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. As a faculty member, she runs a health psychology research lab which actively involves students and explores various topics, pending on the interests of that specific team. She is particularly interested in the intersection of health, stigma, and marginalization.

In addition to her research experience, she has extensive training in working with children ages 0-5, Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, trauma treatment, 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. Her theoretical orientation is eclectic, with influences from CBT, attachment, and feminist theory.

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
Foundations of Psychotherapy
Four-Course Dissertation Sequence
Group Practicum Consultation
Education, Consultation, and Advocacy
Ethical Foundations of Clinical Practice

Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

Fahey, J., Newman, K., James, A., Lakey, J., Lakey, J., Duncan, J., James, J., Bennett, N. (2025, August). Stigma, Resiliency, & Spirituality: Exploring Potential Factors Impacting the Experience of Pregnancy Loss. Poster session presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Denver, Colorado.
Wilder, E., Bokoch, R., Fahey, J., Lynch, N., Lander, A. (2025, July). Mental Health Screening, Trauma Experiences, and Postpartum Mental Health. Poster session presented at the meeting of the Postpartum Support International, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Bokoch, R., Fahey, J., Wilder, E., Lynch, N., Lander, A. (2025, July). Perinatal and Postpartum Mental Health Research Lab: Supporting Mothers, Babies, Partners, and Families Through Research and Collaboration. Poster session presented at the meeting of the Postpartum Support International, New Orleans, Louisiana.
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.
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.
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.

Lisa Christensen

Biography

Dr. Christensen received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from UCLA in 2012, after completing a pre-doctoral internship at the UCLA Medical Center/Semel Institute (Child Track). Dr. Christensen then completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic. Prior to joining the faculty at CSPP/Alliant International University – Los Angeles, Dr. Christensen worked at UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services (2013-2017) and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in the USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (2017-2021).

Dr. Christensen has expertise in number of empirically-supported treatments, including but not limited to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A), the Incredible Years (IY) Program and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr. Christensen has a strong research background in developmental disorders, having published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, the Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disability, the Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Christensen's interests also include mental health outreach and the application of empirically-supported interventions to underserved populations.

Professional Interests

Developmental Disabilities
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Intellectual Disability
Comorbidity/Dual Diagnosis
Evidence-Based Treatments for Youth
Mindful Awareness

Education and Certifications

Licensed Psychologist, CA PSY 26014
Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles
M.A. University of California, Los Angeles
B.A. University of California, San Diego

Honors

2016 UCLA Star Award
2014 UCLA Star Award
2011 Shepherd Ivory Franz Distinguished Teaching Award
2010 Psychology Department Dissertation Year Fellowship
2010 Collegium of Undergraduate Teaching Fellows
2008 UCLA Graduate Research Mentorship Fellowship
2008 National Science Foundation Honorable Mention
2007 Faculty Women’s Club Fellowship
2007 UCLA Graduate Summer Research Fellowship
2006 Faculty Women’s Club Fellowship

Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

Christensen, L. & Baker, B. (2021). "The Etiology of Oppositional Defiant Disorder for Childrenwith and without Intellectual Disabilities: A Preliminary Analysis." Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disability. 14:1, 50-69.
Christensen, L., & Baker, B. (2020). "Risk-taking and Delinquent Behaviors among Youth with and without Intellectual Disabilities." Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disability. 13:1, 1-24.
Neece, C.L. Christensen, L.L., Berkovits, L., & Mayo, D. (2015). "Psychopathology: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Other Conditions Present in Early Childhood." In Matson, J.L & Matson, M.L. (Eds.) Comorbid Conditions in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. New York, NY: Springer Publishers.
Christensen, L. (2013). Dual Diagnosis: Intellectual Disability and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Dissertation Abstracts.
Tipton, L.A., Christensen, L. & Blacher, J. (2013). "Friendship Quality in Adolescents with and without an Intellectual Disability." Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 26(6), 522-532.
Christensen, L., & Baker, B. (2013). "Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Children with Developmental Delays: Prevalence, Age of Onset and Stability." Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disability. 6(3), 225-244.
Christensen, L., Fraynt, B., Neece, C. L. & Baker, B.L. (2012). "Bullying Adolescents with Intellectual Disability." Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disability. 5(1), 49-65.
Blacher, J. & Christensen, L. (2011). "Sowing the Seeds of the Autism Field: Leo Kanner (1943)." Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 49(3), 172-91.
Christensen, L., Rozga, A., Hutman, T., Young, G., Ozonoff, S., Rogers, S., Baker B., & Sigman, M. (2010). "Play and Developmental Outcomes in Infant Siblings of Children with Autism." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 40(8), 946-957.

Amy Johansson

Biography

Dr. Amy Johansson (Psy.D) is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at California School of Professional Psychology/Alliant International University. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Neuropsychological Associates of Southwest Missouri (NASM) and Burrell Behavioral Health in Springfield, Missouri. Dr. Johansson specializes in neuropsychological assessment and treatment of patients with various types of brain injury. She completed her internship at the Ozark Center’s inpatient psychiatric unit in Joplin, Missouri where she provided individual therapy, group therapy, and psychological assessments to adults. Prior to her internship, she provided individual therapy to children, adolescents, and adults at Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, California. She also completed her practicums at Paradigm Malibu, a treatment facility for adolescents in Malibu, and at California Lutheran University’s Community Counseling Clinic where she provided therapy services to individuals with a history of intimate partner violence. Dr. Johansson utilizes a Rogerian approach to therapy and teaching, and believes that the best way to facilitate change and growth is through congruence, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard.

Professional Interests

Child and adolescent trauma, neuropsychology

Education and Certifications

Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, California Lutheran University, Oxnard, CA
M.S. in Clinical Psychology, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA
B.S. in Clinical Psychology, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA

Kristin Whiteside

Biography

Dr. Whiteside is a clinical psychologist and graduate in Adult Psychoanalysis from the San Diego Psychoanalytic Center. In her private practice she provides psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis for adolescents and adults. She has been involved in the field of psychoanalysis through committee and programming work at the international, national, and local levels. Dr. She is Assistant Professor in the Clinical PsyD Program at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, is a faculty member of the San Diego Psychoanalytic Center, and is a Voluntary Assistant Professor in the Health Sciences at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine.

Professional Interests

Whiteside’s research interests include neurodevelopmental disorders, psychoanalytic perspectives on clinical topics, the therapeutic relationship, and individual attachment and its relationship with personality and relationship experiences.

Education and Certifications

Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, CSPP, San Diego

Courses

Theories of Personality, Pathology, And Psychotherapy: Psychoanalytic
Clinical Elective Psychodynamic
Clinical Elective: Attachment Seminar

Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

Whiteside, K. (2019). "Technical Challenges Posed by ADHD in the Opening Phase of Analysis: A Candidate’s Reflections." The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 72(1), 107–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/00797308.2019.1558626

Dumayi Gutierrez

Biography

Dumayi Gutierrez, has a Ph.D. in Couple and Family Therapy. She is an Assistant Professor in the Couple and Family Therapy Program at Alliant International University in San Diego and Online campuses.

Dr. Gutierrez has a passion for working with multiple marginalized communities and is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). She has published and presented nationally on minority stress, intersectionality of self and family systems, couple support systems, resiliencies of sexually marginalized and gender expansive Latinx populations, intersectional culturally competent care, and Women of Color in higher education. She uses a narrative, experiential and feminist approach, utilizing techniques of advocacy and empowerment. Additionally, Dr. Gutierrez has served as clinical coordinator and family therapist for the LGBTQ Counseling Clinic in Iowa, and The Gender & Family Project at the Ackerman Institute for the Family in New York.

Dr. Gutierrez received her Bachelor’s and doctorate degrees from The University of Iowa, and Master’s degree from Mount Mercy University in Iowa.

Education and Certifications

Bachelor’s and doctorate degrees from The University of Iowa
Master’s degree from Mount Mercy University in Iowa.

Credentials and Certifications

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (New York #001774),
Certificate in College Teaching (The University of Iowa)

Courses

Sex Therapy in Marriage and Family Therapy
Advanced Statistics I
Advanced Statistics II
MFT Research Methods
MFT Practicum

Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

Gutierrez, D. (2021, May 20-21). Utilizing an intersectional minority stress model to explore Latinx cultural influence, romantic relationships, and mental health outcomes for Latinx lesbian women [Virtual presentation]. The National LGBTQ Health Conference, Chicago, IL, United States.
Gutierrez, D. (2019, May). Exploring Protective Factors of Internalized Heterosexism and Mental Health outcomes of Latinx Lesbian Women. Presented at American Association of Family Therapy Minority Fellowship Institute.
Gutierrez, D. (2018, November). Intersecting Queer and Latinx Families: Core Sources of Support and Resilience for Marginalized Bisexual Latinx Women. Presented at National Council of Family Relations.
Gutierrez, D., Gamboni, C., Frazier, A. & Wojciak, A. (2017, October). Relationship Quality and Attachment Outcomes of Adults with Parents with Previous Same Sex Relationships. Presented at Annual American Association of Family Therapy Conference.
Gutierrez, D. (2020). "I’m not going to choose a side Hermana: Adding voices of bisexual Latinx women to an intersectional minority stress model." In Thomas M. (Eds.), Intersectionality: Concepts, perspectives, and challenges (pp. 60-81). Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, Inc.
Gamboni, C., Gutierrez, D., & Miller, H. (2018). "Prohibiting versus discouraging: Exploring mental health organizations varied stances on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE)." American Journal of Family Therapy, 46(1), 96-105.
Gutierrez, D. (2018). "The role of intersectionality in marriage and family therapy multicultural supervision." American Journal of Family Therapy, 46(1), 14-26.
2017-2019 American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Minority Fellowship. Dissertation Completion and Doctoral Fellowship.
2016 - 2017 Family Process Writers Institute. New Writers Initiative.

Eloiza Alcaraz

Biography

Dr. Eloiza M. Alcaraz is an alum and Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology in the Clinical PsyD Program at Alliant International University, CSPP-LA Campus. Dr. Alcaraz earned her B.A. in psychology from California State University, Nortanthridge, an M.S. in counseling psychology from Mount Saint Mary’s University-Los Angeles, an M.A. and a Psy.D. in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology-Los Angeles at Alliant International University. Dr. Alcaraz grew up in a predominantly Latinx community where her parents worked as campesinos in the strawberry fields and her mother was a Curandera in the community. Dr. Alcaraz is an active member of the National Latinx Psychological Association and holds board member positions in different mental health agencies in Los Angeles County. Dr. Alcaraz is an active Latinx community advocate/activist, as well as a consultant for cultural and diversity enhancement.

Professional Interests

Multicultural/diversity issues, particularly Latinx mental health. Indigenous/traditional healing practices within a holistic approach. Immigration/acculturation issues among adults, children, and families. Families involved with DCFS, adoption/foster care, and family reunification. School-based therapy, special education, and assessment. Trauma, PTSD, dissociation, child abuse, and forensic interviewing. Pediatric oncology/hematology, loss and grief, and minority health disparities.

Education and Certifications

PsyD, Clinical Psychology
MA, Clinical Psychology
MS, Counseling Psychology
BA, Psychology

Courses

Intercultural Processes and Human Diversity
Psychodiagnostic Assessment
Theories of Personality and Psychotherapy
Ethics and Professional Development
History and Systems
Program Development and Evaluation
Immigration and Mental Health
Clinical Dissertation

Kathryn Yoshida

Biography

Kathryn Yoshida, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at CSPP. Her specialties include child and family psychology, infant-preschool mental health, and biofeedback. Dr. Yoshida teaches courses in Cultural Diversity Training, Dissertation Proposal Development, and Advanced Child Assessment.

Dr. Yoshida earned a PhD in Clinical Psychology, Ecosystemic Child Emphasis; an MA in Clinical Psychology; and an Infant-Preschool Mental Health Certificate, all from CSPP Alliant Fresno. She has been I-MERIT Co-Chair since 2019, and in May of 2020, received a Grant Award from Alliant Educational Foundation for her Mobile Biofeedback Lab for Student Research Team. In March of 2020, Dr. Yoshida was a discussant at the Association for Women Psychologists Annual Conference Symposium on the subject of an Intersectional Approach to Wellbeing.

Megan Carlos

Biography

Megan Carlos, PhD, is an Associate Professor with the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) of Alliant International University. Her research interests include attachment theory, children and families, women’s mental health, and disability issues. At Alliant, she teaches courses in Human Development, Psychometrics, Statistics and Research Design, Observation and Interviewing, and Sociocultural Issues. Dr. Carlos received her MA in Child Psychology and her PhD in Child Clinical Psychology from the University of Minnesota at Twin Cities. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in developmental and clinical psychology over the past 15 years. She has a private practice in Berkeley, California. Dr. Carlos has previously served on the American Psychological Association’s Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology and currently serves on the National Council of Schools and Programs in Professional Psychology’s Disability Committee.

Andrew Bertagnolli

Biography

Dr. Bertagnolli is a licensed clinical psychologist and a core faculty member at the San Francisco campus. He has been affiliated with Alliant International University since 2006s been an adjunct faculty member since 2003. In addition, he is the National Director of Virtual Behavioral Health Services at One Medical, where his responsible for designing and developing new virtual programs and services to support members achieving and sustaining their mental health and wellness.

Prior to joining One Medical, Dr. Bertagnolli was with Optum Behavioral Health as Vice President of Care and Case Management and Recovery Programs after spending many years at Kaiser Permanente’s – National Offices as the Director of Integrated Behavioral Health. He has more than 25 years of health care experience and a strong background in healthcare operations, quality measurement and process improvement in the areas of behavioral health, suicide prevention, peer support, digital behavioral health, social determinants of health, evidence based psychotherapy practice and pain management.

Dr. Bertagnolli holds a B.A. from Vanderbilt University, an M.A., and Ph.D. from California School of Professional Psychology-San Francisco Bay Campus. He completed his clinical training at University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and Kaiser Permanente San Francisco.

Dr. Bertagnolli is currently on the Board of Directors of the National Alliance on Mental Illness – California, the Executive Committee of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and the Academic Training & Education Standards Committee of the Association of Behavioral & Cognitive Therapies.

Professional Interests

Chronic pain management
Depression
Suicide prevention
Digital behavioral health
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Evidence-based practices
Quality measurement in behavioral health
Integrated healthcare.

Education and Certifications

PhD Clinical Psychology - California School of Professional Psychology – San Francisco

Courses

Theory & Technique of Clinical Practice: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Advanced Clinical Seminar: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Clinical & Ethical Issues: Integrated Healthcare
Advanced Clinical Skills: Chronic Pain

Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

Botanov, Y., Cooper, L., Washburn, J. J., Bertagnolli, A. & McClain, T. (in press). Scientific Competence and Health Service Psychology Master’s Training: An Outline for an Applied Methodology Course Training and Education in Professional Psychology. Training and Education in Professional Psychology.
Botanov, Y., Cooper, L. D., Bertagnolli, A. & Washburn, J. J. (2022). Methods of assessing scientific competency in health service psychology master’s programs. Training and Education in Professional Psychology, 16(2), 173–181.
Mohr, D, Azocar, F, Bertagnolli, A, Choudhury, P, Chrisp, P, Frank, R, Harbin, H, Histon, T, Kaysen, D, Nebeker, C, Richards, D, Schueller, SM, Titov, N, Torous, J, & Arean, P. (2021). Banbury Forum consensus statement on the path forward to digital mental health treatment. Psychiatric Services. 72(6), 677-683.
Cooper, L, Bertagnolli, A, Botanov, Y, Jun, J, Valenstein-Mah, H, Washburn, J & Teisler, D. (2020) "Training competencies for master’s programs in health service psychology." The Behavior Therapist:43(4), 118-126.
Torous, J, Andersson, G, Bertagnolli, A, Christensen, H, Cuijpers, P, Firth, J, Haim, A, Hsin, H, Hollis, C, Lewis, S, Mohr, D, Pratap, A, Roux, S, Sherrill, J, Arean, PA (2019) "Towards a consensus around standards for smartphone apps and digital mental health." World Psychiatry 18:1, 97-98.
Karlin, B, Brown, G, Jager-Hyman, S, Wong, M, Lee, D, Bertagnolli, A & Ross, T (2018) "Dissemination and implementation of cognitive behavioral therapy for depression in the Kaiser Permanente system." Behavior Therapy: 50:2, 446-458.
Lewandowski, E, O’Connor, B, Bertagnolli, A, Tinoco, A, Beck, A, Gardner, W, Jelinek-Berents, C, Newton, D, Wain, K, Boggs, J, Brace, N, deSa, P, Scholle, S, Hoagwood, K & Horwitz, S. (2016) "Screening and diagnosis of depression in adolescents in a large HMO." Psychiatric Services.
The Kennedy Forum (2015) "Fixing Behavioral Health Care in America: A National Call for Measurement-Based Care in the Delivery of Behavioral Health Services. [White paper]." The Kennedy Forum.
The Kennedy Forum (2015) "Fixing Behavioral Health Care in America: A National Call for Integrating Specialty Behavioral Health Care with the Medical System. [White paper]." The Kennedy Forum.
Mental Health America, Inc. (2015) "National Certified Peer Specialist (NCPS) Certification: An Overview of the Development and Launch of the First National, Advanced Peer Support Specialist Certification [White Paper]." Mental Health America.
California Association of Social Rehabilitation Specialists (2014) "Meaningful Roles for Peer Providers in Integrated Healthcare: A Guide. [White paper]." CASRA.

David Hoskins

Biography

David Hoskins, PsyD., M.A.S. is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University. His research and professional interests include trauma and related behavioral health needs (i.e., psychiatric symptoms, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors); Latinx mental health; acculturation, acculturation gap-distress theory, and the Latinx paradox; and, culturally attuned and manualized treatment interventions.

Professional Interests

Examining unmet behavioral health needs (i.e., psychiatric symptoms, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors) in both the primary care setting and the juvenile justice system
Culturally attuned mental health services for youth who have faced multiple and various forms of interpersonal trauma and adversity as well as their caregiver
The Latinx community.

Education and Certifications

M.A.S., Clinical Research, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of California, San Francisco
Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, Alliant International University—San Francisco Campus

Honors

2017, National Institute of Health (NIH), National Institute of Drug Abuse.
- Diversity Supplement to an existing RO1
- Title: Uncovering Health Disparities Among First-Time Offending, Court Involved, Non-Incarcerated Latinx Youth
2014 & 2016 NIH, Loan Repayment Program, Initial and Resubmission.
- Title: Positive Adaptation for Trauma and Healing
2013, America Psychological Association, Minority Fellowship Program
- Treatment outcomes, Clinical Research Project

Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

Hoskins, D., Del Cid, M,Perez, L., & Tolou-Shams, M. (2019). "Ecological Systems in Relation to Latinx Youth in the Justice System: A Narrative Literature Review." Child and Youth Services Review.
Hoskins, D., Marshall, B., Koinis-Mitchel, D., Galbriath, K., & Tolou-Shams, M. (2018). "Latinx Youth at First Contact with the Juvenile Justice System: Trauma and Associated Behavioral Health Needs." Child Psychiatry and Human Development.
Hoskins, D., Duncan, L., Moskowitz, J., & Ordonez, A. (2017). "Positive Adaptations for Trauma and Healing (PATH), a Pilot Study of Group Therapy with Latino Youth." Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, and Practice.
Hoskins, D. and Padron, E. (2017). "The Practices of Curanderismo: A Qualitative Study from the Perspectives of Curanderos." Journal of Latino Psychology.
Hoskins, D. & Platt, J. (in press). "A collaborative model of care based upon the lived experiences of psychotherapists and traditional healers. In J. Cervantes & B. McNeil." Latinx Healing Practices: Psychotherapeutic Perspectives and Counseling Interventions. Cognella
Hoskins, D. & Padron, E. (2016). Historical Review of the history and tradition of Curanderismo. In R. Carrillo, & C. Saucedo Traditional Medicine and Mental Health: Integrative Practices. Hayes House, Carlsbad, CA.

Danna Abraham

Credentials and Certifications

Honors

Presentations

Nadine Nakamura

Jacqueline Fahey

Lisa Christensen

Honors

Amy Johansson

Kristin Whiteside

Dumayi Gutierrez

Credentials and Certifications

Eloiza Alcaraz

Kathryn Yoshida

Megan Carlos

Andrew Bertagnolli

David Hoskins

Honors

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