Dr. Olkin is a Distinguished Professor in the clinical PsyD program in SF. the author of two books on the confluence of psychology, disability, cultural, and disability studies: Disability-affirmative therapy: a case formulation template for clients with disabilities (2017, Oxford University Press) and What psychotherapists should know about disability (1999, Guilford Press). She has been with CSPP for almost 30 years, and taught over 18 different courses, including CBT with couples, families, children, and adults; Advanced psychopathology; Family therapy; Clients with chronic illness and Disabilities; Research proposal design. She is a frequent speaker and consultant on disability issues in clinical and work environments. Her current project is a book on Teaching disability: A practical guide for instructors.
Distributive justice; models of disability; parents with disabilities; diversity training; case formulation, psychopathology and diagnosis; family therapy; cognitive behavior therapy
PhD, University of California, Santa Barbara, (Counseling Psychology)
MA, University of California, Santa Barbara, (Counseling Psychology)
BA, Stanford University (Psychology)
Honors
2003
Alliant International University President's Award for Faculty Excellence
2001
National Multicultural Conference and Summit II: Dalmas A. Taylor Award
2001
APA Division 43 (Family Psychology) Carolyn Attneave award
2001
APA Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) award
1988
Meritorious Performance & Professional Promise Award, CA State Univ., Sacramento
Award for Outstanding Performance, VA Medical Center, SF, CA; 1983, 84, 85
Outstanding Merit Increase Awards, CSPP: 1991; 1992; 1993; 1995; 2000
Olkin, R. (2006). Disability and depression. In F. Haseltine (Ed.), Women with disabilities - A comprehensive guide to care. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Olkin, R. (2006). Why I changed my mind about physician-assisted suicide: How Stanford University made a radical out of me. Journal of Disability Policy Studies.
Olkin, R. (2005). Females with disabilities. In J. Worell & C. Goodheart (Eds.), Handbook of girls' and women's psychological health. New York: Oxford University Press.
Olkin, R. (2003). Women with physical disabilities who want to leave their partners: A feminist and disability-affirmation perspective. Women and Therapy, 26(3/4), 237-246.
Olkin, R. (2003). Women with disabilities. In J. C. Chrisler, C. Golden, & P. D. Rozee (Eds.), Lectures on the psychology of women (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Olkin, R., & Pledger, C. (2003). Can disability studies and psychology join hands? American Psychologist, 58(4), 296-304.
Olkin, R. (1999). What psychotherapists should know about disability. New York: Guilford Press.