Biography
Brasileira of origin, Dr. Danna Abraham started her work as a clinical psychologist before becoming a family therapist. As an educator and researcher, her work lives at the intersection of relational ethics, feminist inquiry, and community-engaged scholarship. She is particularly interested in the experiences that often remain at the margins of professional discourse, including institutional inequities, gendered forms of asymmetries, immigrant experiences, socioeconomic barriers to care, and the relational consequences of public policy.
As Director of the Research Initiative for Storytelling Engagement (RISE Lab) www.theriselab.com, Dr. Abraham collaborates with students to examine how stories shape relationships, institutions, and opportunities for social change. She is an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, Clinical Fellow, COAMFTE Site Visitor, and serves on the editorial board of the International Journal of Systemic Therapy.
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
Please go to my Publications Page www.theriselab.com/publications for an up-to-date list of current and past research projects in my Research Initiative for Storytelling Engagement (RISE) lab
You may find full Curriculum Vita www.theriselab.com/research