Academic Appointments
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Stanford School of Medicine
Experience
As a clinical psychologist with a specialization in diagnostic assessments—including psychological, neuropsychological, and educational evaluations—I serve children, adolescents, and adults with diverse needs.
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In addition to my practice, I hold an Adjunct Professor appointment at the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences where I train and supervise forensic psychiatry fellows. I am also faculty in the Stanford Program in Psychiatry and the Law.
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With over fifteen years of experience, I have conducted evaluations in a multitude of settings, including outpatient clinics, medical centers, VA hospitals, rehabilitation centers, partial hospitalization programs, jails, inpatient units, and research studies.
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Prior to establishing my private practice, I was the Co-Director of the Gronowski Center's Assessment Center and led multidisciplinary team evaluations at Children's Health Council, focusing on children and adolescents with a spectrum of complex emotional, learning and behavioral issues. At CHC, I helped found an ADHD clinic for families with MediCal, where I served as the lead psychologist.
My expertise has been acknowledged in courts where I have been qualified as an expert witness in various assessment domains. In addition to my clinical and academic roles, I am a member of an advisory committee that provides expert guidance on the latest best practices in forensic psychological evaluations to the presiding Judge.
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I earned my doctorate at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, where I conducted research for the Minnesota Twin Family Study. My research focused on the interplay of genetics and environment on personality and mental health.
Philosophy
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My practice is distinct in that I embrace a lifespan perspective on assessment, a philosophy shaped by my diverse clinical experiences and my research involvement with the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the world's longest-running longitudinal study.
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This lifespan perspective recognizes that development extends beyond childhood and pays equal attention to events occurring in adulthood. In my evaluations, I consider the significant changes that transpire at every stage of life, interpreting these changes within the context they occur. Such a comprehensive approach yields a deeper understanding of an individual's developmental trajectory.
I am grateful for my experiences working in various settings and in multidisciplinary teams. They have honed my ability to discern critical nuances that may be overlooked by those with a more limited scope of practice (e.g., role of medical illness, unique life events, rare conditions).
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I am particularly attentive to the complex ways in which a client's multiple identities—such as gender, ethnicity, religion, disabilities, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status—interact and influence their life experiences.
Having immigrated to the U.S. as a preteen, I understand firsthand the challenges and richness of navigating multiple cultures. Fluent in Spanish, I am dedicated to serving a diverse clientele and enjoy working with individuals of all nationalities
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