Caroline Mok, Ph.D. is an Adjunct Professor in the APA-accredited Clinical Psychology PsyD Program on the Emeryville Campus and first joined Alliant in 2022. Se received her doctorate in 2013 from Palo Alto University, completed her internship at Metropolitan State Hospital in Los Angeles and post-doctoral training at Palo Alto University and Department of Veteran Affairs in Palo Alto and, and stayed at the university for several years as a researcher, program director, and adjunct professor. Dr. Mok received extensive training in psychodiagnostic, neuropsychological, and forensic assessment at Department of Veteran Affairs and on inpatient units at Vacaville Prison and Metropolitan State Hospital. Dr. Mok continued her assessment practice in Berkeley, California, providing individual and group psychotherapy and assessment for the local community, surrounding schools, and attorneys in need of an expert witness in civil litigation proceedings. 

Dr. Vanessa Kovachy is a certified school psychologist. Dr. Kovachy earned her undergraduate degree from Harvard University in the field of Psychology. After graduating, Dr. Kovachy conducted research at Stanford University School of Medicine studying the effects of preterm birth on neural development and academic performance. She piloted, managed, and conducted the assessments investigating how children born preterm differed in their academic, functional, behavioral, and social emotional functioning compared to their full-term peers. Additionally, this research centered on how white matter differences between preterm and full term children impacted later academic attainment. During this tenure, Dr. Kovachy published several peer reviewed articles, presented at national conferences, and added considerable and important information to the field of educational neuroscience and developmental medicine. Dr. Kovachy earned her Masters of Arts in Education and additional certification in School-Based Mental Health Services at Alliant International University. She then earned her Doctorate in Educational Psychology at Alliant International University. Her dissertation focused on the Best Practices in the School-based Assessment of Children Born Preterm.

Dr. Kovachy has extensive and advanced training on the assessment of developmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorders. She uses a variety of techniques to elucidate the neuropsychological underpinnings of specific learning disabilities (e.g. dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and intellectual disabilities. Dr. Kovachy also has extensive experience with both evaluating and providing interventions, counseling, and parent training for individuals with social emotional and behavioral disorders, including oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, anxiety disorders, and depression. Dr. Kovachy advocates for the use of science-based intervention, collaboration with school and medical teams, and ongoing support for both the individual and family to meet the needs of all individuals.

Dr. Kovachy taught individuals at both the Masters and Doctorate Level since 2018. She is a member of the National Association of School Psychologists and Illinois School Psychologists Association. She holds credentials and licensure in Illinois and California.

Thaddeus Camlin, PsyD, is assistant professor at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant. He teaches courses in chemical dependency, integrative psychology, psychopathology, and ethics. He also runs The Center for Integrative Psychology at CSPP, offering specialized training in the practice of integrative psychotherapy. 

Research interests include psychedelic assisted psychotherapy, integrative harm reduction for addictive problems, and integrative psychology. Dr. Camlin completed his undergraduate work at Marquette University, majoring in psychology with a minor in theology. He completed his graduate training with an integrative emphasis at CSPP, where he completed his doctoral dissertation on the use of ibogaine to treat opioid use disorders. He later published an article version of his dissertation in a peer-reviewed journal. 

In addition to his role as core faculty, Dr. Camlin works as a psychologist specializing in self-empowering treatment for addictive problems at Practical Recovery in San Diego. He is certified in Community Reinforcement And Family Training (CRAFT) and as a SMART Recovery facilitator.

Mark Barnes, PhD., is a child psychologist who has worked with children and adolescents since 1984. He holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology and is a licensed psychologist. He also holds a Master's degree in Marriage, Family, and Child Counseling. Dr. Barnes has diverse experience in treating children, adolescents, and their families in a variety of settings including hospitals, residential treatment centers, as well as day treatment and outpatient programs. Dr. Barnes has a specialty in psychological testing, as well as the treatment of depression, attention deficit disorder, and developmental issues of children and adolescents. Dr. Barnes follows a relationship based depth oriented approach when treating children and adolescents. Trained in Play and Sandplay treatment approaches, as well as interpersonal treatment strategies Dr. Barnes uses a variety of therapeutic approaches to assess and treat those who suffer from mild to severe mental health issues. Dr. Barnes has successfully treated children from as young as four years of age to young adulthood.

Over the years of Dr. Barnes’ professional life, as well as treating children, adolescents and their families, he has held positions within the community at The Sullivan Center for Children including being the Assistant Clinical Director of the Center. He was also the Director of Training, overseeing the training components at the Center, including the APPIC member internship and post-doctoral fellowship training programs. Dr. Barnes has also served as a clinical supervisor to participating pre-doctoral interns and post-doctoral fellows. He supervises students in training and pre-doctoral interns at The Gary W. Cannon Psychological Service Center, which is affiliated with The California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. In addition, Dr. Barnes has supervised practicum students and Licensed Marriage and Family Interns through the Onsite Counseling Center at Fresno Pacific University.

Dr. Francesca Kassing in an Associate Professor and the Director of Clinical Training of the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Fresno. She is a licensed psychologist and has specialty experience and research interests in trauma and adversity, suicidality, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and child, adolescent, and young adult populations. Dr. Kassing received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Alabama, and completed her doctoral internship at Augusta University/Medical College of Georgia and her postdoctoral fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children’s Hospital. She serves as a Co-Investigator for a multi-site, NIMH-funded study focused on treating suicidality in college students. She previously served as a co-chair of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Special Interest Group of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies and was awarded the Deborah L. Rhatigan Early Career Award for Excellence in Violence Research in 2019 for her work on polyvictimization and health outcomes among LGBTQIA+ populations.

Dr. Bermudez (she, her) earned her doctorate at the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles.  Her professional background includes clinical work, research, and teaching in the field of health psychology and educational psychology.  Her clinical areas of focus include pediatric health psychology, educational psychology, and psychodiagnostic assessment throughout the lifespan. 

Dr. Bermudez worked as a clinical psychologist at Rady Children's Hospital conducting assessments on infants and young children in the Developmental Evaluation Clinic, Polinsky Children’s Center and C3 (Children’s Care Connection).  She completed her pre-doctoral, APA Approved, internship at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, Health Psychology Department.  She also completed a pre-doctoral practicum at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, University Affiliated Program with USC School of Medicine, Center for Child Development.  Dr. Bermudez was part of research teams at both Rady Children's Hospital Center for Child Health Outcomes, and at the UCSD Cancer Center. She is 3rd author on a publication in the journal, Pediatrics, titled, ""Parents’ Perceptions of Primary Care:  Measuring Parents’ Experiences of Pediatric Primary Care Quality.""  Dr. Bermudez was a consulting psychologist for the Rady Children’s Hospital, Child & Adolescent Services Research Center.  She collaborated on research to develop a clinical pathway for primary care physicians to aid in the diagnosis of ADHD.  

Dr. Bermudez has been teaching psychology courses at the undergraduate level for over 25 years. She is currently teaching at a local community college, in addition to AIU, where she is part of the Strong Workforce Faculty Institute, an organization that promotes equitable teaching practices in order to improve retention and success in disproportionately impacted college students.   Dr. Bermudez also works with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE) as a facilitator teaching college professors Inclusive Practices for Equitable Learning.

Bianca Cersosimo, Ph.D. is a California Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at Alliant International University's Clinical Psychology Psy.D. Program in San Diego. She earned her BA in Psychology at Loyola University New Orleans where she graduated Cum Laude, and subsequently earned her MA in Clinical Psychology at Columbia University and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Adelphi University. Her research focuses on integrative psychotherapy, personality pathology, treatment process and outcome, assessment, therapeutic alliance, and related factors. She completed a post-doctoral fellowship in psychological assessment and has also had clinical and research experiences in the area of health psychology. Dr. Cersosimo has published peer-reviewed scientific articles and presented posters, papers, and moderated panels at academic conferences. She is an early career researcher and clinician, and most recently received the George Stricker Fellowship for Psychotherapy Integration Research in 2020. Dr. Cersosimo is dedicated to teaching and scholarship that focuses on helping students expand their knowledge about psychopathology, psychotherapy, and research through considering patient perspectives and cultural and systemic factors.

Dr. Meghan Fagundes (she/they) is an Assistant Professor, Consultant, Clinical Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist from San Diego, California. Since 2002, they have worked in community-based organizations, outpatient, residential and inpatient facilities, hospitals, and prison, offering clinical services to active-duty military and historically marginalized groups such as those with severe mental illness, co-occurring disorders, the LGBTQIA+ community, low-income and forensic populations. Along with teaching, Dr. Fagundes works in an inclusive and affirming private practice and consults with organizations to provide supervision, trauma-informed care, and presentations on the neurobiology of trauma. For nearly a decade they provided treatment to youth with sexually abusive behavior and they currently provide clinical supervision at a local treatment facility for such youth. Their research publications include studies of youth with sexually abusive behavior, and their TEDx presentation, “Dangerous Myths About Juvenile Sex Offenders” has been used at conferences, in classrooms, and in the media to address problematic stereotypes about this population. 

Dr. S. Nunnally has a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Educational Psychology. Dr. S. Nunnally is an Assistant Professor for the CSOE Psy.D. Educational Psychology Online Program. 

 

Dr. S. Nunnally has 21 years as school based practitioner including the county office of education as a school psychologist, community mental health settings, behavior support services for public and nonpublic schools, advocacy, and as a special education teacher within alternative public school settings. 

Dr. S. Nunnally has been on staff with Alliant International University CSOE program supports since 2010. Experience has included: chairing doctoral dissertation/projects, dissertation reader/consultant, instructing and developing courses both within the doctoral and masters level programs. 

Dr. Danielle Hankins is a dedicated educational psychologist with a strong background in a variety of areas, including K-12 education systems, special and general education programming, curriculum/program  evaluation, graduate course development, school neuropsychological assessment, psychoeducational assessment, evidence-based intervention planning, formative/summative assessment data analysis, parental collaboration in K-12 education, multidisciplinary team collaboration and cohesion, and expert-level interpretation of psychoeducational evaluations and reports.

With her experience in K-12 education systems, Dr. Hankins possesses a comprehensive understanding of the complexities and nuances within educational settings. She has worked closely with administrators, educators, and students to navigate the challenges and opportunities present in both special and general education programs. Dr. Hankins is committed to promoting best practices and ensuring access to quality education for all students.

As an educator, Dr. Hankins has played a pivotal role in the development of graduate courses. She has designed and taught specialized courses that encompass various topics, including assessment practices, multidisciplinary strategies, professional roles in educational psychology, psychopharmacology, and developmental psychopathology. She is committed to empowering future professionals, which is reflected in her engaging and comprehensive coursework and through her role as a dissertation chair, which prepares students to excel in the field of educational psychology.

Dr. Seema Saigal is a Professor in the PsyD program at the California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University. She earned her Ph.D. from Northwestern University and her B.A. from Cornell University and is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in private practice. Dr. Saigal is passionate about student mentorship and fosters inclusive spaces that celebrate diversity and promote academic rigor, open dialogue, and critical thinking. Dr. Saigal was humbled to receive a Teaching Excellence Award in 2022 and a Faculty of the Year award in 2019. Dr. Saigal’s current research focuses on the process of implementing inclusive, intersectional, identity affirming pedagogy and the provision of culturally congruent supervision and clinical care. Dr. Saigal is also interested in close relationships and the ways in which personality traits, mental health symptoms, behavioral interaction patterns, and geographic proximity impact health and relationship satisfaction. In her private practice, Dr. Saigal focuses on the provision of culturally responsive care and utilizes acceptance and commitment therapy and strength-based approaches designed to promote growth and resilience.  

Dr. Natalie Bennett is an Assistant Professor and the Director of Clinical Training of the clinical PsyD program on the Sacramento campus. She earned her PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Nevada- Reno, where her research focused on forensic concepts related to child sexual abuse. She completed internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the CAARE Center at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, providing assessment and intervention for children and families with histories of abuse, neglect, or involvement in the child welfare system. She is a certified provider and trainer in Parent-Child Care, a program designed to promote children’s socioemotional development through play with caregivers.

Dr. Bennett’s professional interests remain centered around child maltreatment, forensics, and trauma therapy. A proud Latina, she has additional interest in supporting health equity for underserved populations. Given her love for math and science, Dr. Bennett teaches the Research Methods & Statistics sequence and holds weekly dissertation office hours available to all students in the program. Her theoretical orientation draws primarily from radical behaviorism and contextual science, as well as existentialism. She leads the Sexual Trauma and Health Equity research lab, where students can participate in all aspects of the research process from project development to publication.

In addition to her experience in academia, Dr. Bennett has worked as a pediatric psychologist within a primary care clinic in Oregon, providing integrated behavioral health care to children from birth to 18. Although her passion lies in working with youth and families, she also has extensive clinical and teaching experience in adult assessment and intervention, particularly in exposure therapies for trauma.

In her free time, Dr. Bennett is usually outside in the Sierras— hiking, trail running, backpacking, rock climbing— with her partner and two pitties.