education and experience

I am a licensed Clinical Psychologist in Davis, California (PSY 21603). Since 2009, I have worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Currently, I am a Senior Psychologist in a 400-bed inpatient psychiatric facility where I coordinate suicide prevention efforts, provide consultation, and train staff in suicide risk assessment and intervention. I am a Certified Correctional Health Professional, a designation given by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care.

I also have a part-time practice where I provide individual psychotherapy for adults as well as expert testimony on cases of suicide in prison. I specialize in suicide risk assessment, the treatment of suicidal thoughts and behavior, and legal aspects of caring for suicidal patients. I have given related presentations designed for mental health professionals, delivered customized trainings for mental health agencies, and written on suicide-related topics. 

I earned my doctorate in clinical psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University (San Diego), one of the first free-standing schools of professional psychology in the nation. I completed a two-year postdoc in the Co-occurring Disorders Program at the Gifford Clinic, an outpatient mental health service administered by the UC San Diego Department of Psychiatry. Soon after, I was lecturer at Alliant International University where I taught classes in introductory clinical psychology, attachment, ethics, and chemical dependency. In 2009, I co-edited the book Attachment Theory and Research in Clinical Work with Adults with Ety Berant and have written other clinical articles.

I am member of the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association and the American Association of Suicidology.