Research & Teaching

I was actively involved in academic research between 1992 and 2010. I found it interesting and challenging. This was an important series of steps in my professional development. I had many opportunities along the way. I was surrounded by and collaborated with some of the top researchers and leaders in the field. I was able to provide a meaningful contribution to different research areas, advanced statistical modeling, and helped secure funding for many different research projects for over a decade. I’m glad I did it.

In 2001, I opened my private practice in Westlake Village. Between word of mouth referrals and numerous professionals referring clients to me, I have had a thriving practice since the beginning.

For about a decade, I was full-time private practice and full-time research. Long days, but good. Shortly after my daughter was born, I decided that being actively involved in her life was most important and I had to cut back my professional commitments. I chose what I was and am most passionate about, my private practice. I reduced my commitments to UCLA and phased myself out of the projects I was involved with. I stepped down from my research position in 2010. I left 2 years of additional funding secured for the project. All’s well that ends well… I made the right choice

UCLA Psychology Department
Assistant Research Psychologist I
April 2001 to July 2002
Research on the psychosocial aspects of adolescent drug and alcohol use. Use of multivariate, confirmatory, and latent variable statistical methodologies. Preparation of questionnaires, data collection, and grant writing. Submission of articles for publication.
NIDA grant # DA 01070 Peter Bentler, Ph.D., Michael Newcomb, Ph.D.

UCLA Psychology Department
Staff Research Associate
September 1999 to April 2001
Professional staff at the UCLA/NIDA Center for the Collaborative Research. Research on the psychosocial aspects of adolescent drug and alcohol use. Use of multivariate, confirmatory, and latent variable statistical methodologies. Preparation of questionnaires, data collection, and grant writing. Submission of articles for publication.
NIDA grant # DA 01070 Peter Bentler, Ph.D., Michael Newcomb, Ph.D.

University of Michigan School of Medicine Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI October, 1998 to August, 1999 Ken Adams, Ph.D., ABPP – Director of Training
1) Investigating the relationships between alcoholism, learning disorders, and attentional disorders. 2) Examining the efficacy of measures for predicted intelligence in alcoholics. 3) Examining memory function correlates with PET scan and neuropsychological data in an alcoholic population.

Richard Amdur, Ph.D. – PTSD Clinical Team- Staff Psychologist Developing a training model/conceptual framework for work with PTSD patients highlighting the relationships between the therapeutic alliance and the change process. Poster session at APA annual convention, 1999; preparation of manuscript.

University of Southern California – Division of Counseling Psychology November, 1997 to August, 1998 Joan Rosenberg, Ph.D. – Professor, Practicum Coordinator
1) Examined the application of expertise and cognitive psychology principles to the training of counselors and supervisors. Symposia at APA annual convention, 1998.
2) Development and application of a counselor training model addressing client’s emotional connections and disconnections in psychotherapy. Poster session at APA annual convention, 1998.

UCLA School of Medicine – Department of Psychiatry Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA September 1997 to Present Marcel Ponton, Ph.D. – Director Neuropsychology Clinic
1) Investigated the functional capabilities of individuals with multiple head traumas in an indigent population. 2) Examined the efficacy of a qualitative scoring system for the Rey-Visual Memory Test. Poster sessions at NAN annual convention, 1998, preparation of manuscript.

Veterans Affairs (VA) Outpatient Clinic, Los Angeles, CA
January 1997 to September 1997
1) Investigated compliance and treatment outcomes in a day treatment program for the chronic mentally ill. 2) Investigated the influence of data-based information about client need on clinical judgment and program development. Data analysis and presentation.

University of Southern California – Andrus Gerontology Center – Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences
September 1996 to May 1997
Vern Bengtson, Ph.D.- AARP/University Professor of Gerontology and Professor of Sociology; Director of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Andrus Gerontology Center.

Longitudinal Study of Generations.
Duties included consultation/review of NIA grant, coordination of research projects, statistical and data manipulation, preparation of code book.

University of Southern California – Division of Counseling Psychology
September 1994 to December 1996
Rodney Goodyear, Ph.D. – Professor, Training Director

Expertise in Professional Psychology.
Duties included literature review, symposia at APA annual convention-1995, first author of publication in Educational Psychology Review, 9 (3), 239-249.

University of Southern California – Psychology Department Honors Program
September 1992 to May 1994
Joe Hellige, Ph.D. – Director of Honors Program, Professor and Chair of Psychology Department, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies

Jo Ann Farver, Ph.D. – Faculty Mentor, Professor

One of six undergraduate students selected to participate in a two-year, advanced research-training program. Planned, organized and implemented a research project under the guidance of the program director and a faculty mentor. Senior honors thesis examined the relationship of aggression in preschool-age children to parental attitudes and behaviors. A component of an international, cross-cultural study.

University of Southern California – Andrus Gerontology Center, and the Program in Neural, Informational and Behavioral Sciences
October 1991 to May 1993
Daniel Rice, Ph.D. – Professor
Investigated the relationship of item meaningfulness (moderate frequency words vs. pronounceable non-words) and item repetition (novel vs. repeat) on recognition and recall memory. Examined Event-Related-Potential patterns associated with these processes.