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Franchesca Fontus

Dr. Franchesca Fontus
Biography

Dr. Franchesca Fontus is an Assistant Professor of Couple and Family Therapy at Alliant International University. As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), she provides culturally sensitive therapeutic services to diverse groups of individuals, couples, and families in private practice, specializing in improving mental wellness and relationships. Her clinical experiences include community-based, school-based, and substance-based treatment for children, teens, and adults. As an American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) Clinical Fellow and AAMFT Approved Supervisor, she is passionate about mentoring students, supervisees, and early researchers. Dr. Fontus is informed by a Bowen Family Systems Theory lens and has special research interests in issues of culture & diversity and the lived experiences of therapists.

Additionally, Dr. Fontus served on the Broward Association for Marriage and Family Therapy in South Florida and is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University, having earned Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Family Therapy. 

Professional Interests

Bowen Family Systems Theory; Trauma; Family Trauma; Couple and Family Relationships; Culture & Diversity: Working clinically with Black, African-American, and Afro-Caribbean Communities, Working clinically with Faith-Based Communities, Exploration of Haitian-American Experiences; MFT Training and Supervision: Exploring Therapists' Experiences of Personal Loss & Impacts on their Clinical Practice, Self-Of-The-Therapist Development 

Education and Certifications
  • PhD in Family Therapy, Nova Southeastern University 
  • MS in Family Therapy 
  • Approved  Supervisor Candidate (2022)
  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT)                     
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (2018)
  • The Florida Department of Health                                 
  • State of Florida | License No: MT3464
  • Clinical Fellow    (2018)
  • American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) 
Courses
  • Diversity And The Family
  • Individual And The Family 
  • MFT Practicum
  • Group Therapy
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Fontus, F. (2022, April). Diversity Dialogues: Normalizing Therapy within Black and Brown Communities. Pfeiffer Institute for Marriage and Family Therapy. Pfeiffer University. Workshop presented on Zoom.
  • Beliard, C., Cunningham, P., Fontus, F., & Moye, D. (2018). "Therapists of Color: Surviving Long Enough to Keep Fighting." Journal of Systemic Therapies, Vol. 37, No. 1, 2018, pp. 18‚Äî26. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2018.37.1.18 
  • Fontus, F., Hood, A. (2018, May). Utilizing Systemic Principles to Increase Resiliency in Afro-Caribbean Women Who Have Experienced Trauma. Workshop presented at The Broward Behavioral Health Coalition‚ Behavioral Health Conference, Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 

Danielle Gissinger

Danielle Gissinger
Biography

Danielle Gissinger, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP), Los Angeles. Most recently, before joining CSPP in Fall 2021, Dr. Gissinger was on the faculty at Merrimack College in Massachusetts and maintained a private practice as a licensed psychologist in New Hampshire. Dr. Gissinger earned her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University at Buffalo and completed both her doctoral internship and postdoctoral fellowship at the University of New Hampshire Counseling Center.

Professional Interests

Multicultural competence; social justice; social class in higher education; college student mental health; yoga, meditation, and mindfulness-based interventions; narrative theory and storytelling; training and supervision; qualitative research

Education and Certifications
  • Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, University at Buffalo
  • M.A., English, Duquesne University
  • B.A., English & Political Science, Duquesne University

Kimberly Finney

Kimberly Finney
Biography

Board certified clinical psychologist, college professor, author, and a retired U.S. Air Force psychologist. After completing a fellowship in psychopharmacology and a post-doctoral master's degree in psychopharmacology, I was able prescribed medication while serving in the military. 

Working conceptual framework is psychodynamic therapy and interpersonal therapy and enjoys working with students on qualitative research related to psychological and social problems related to inequality, inequities and the Grand Challenges related to Health.

Professional Interests

Mind Body Psychology is the major umbrella of interest which includes race related trauma, military related trauma, and unresolved childhood trauma. In addition, clinical psychopharmacology and first responder mental health have been of interest. Currently working on diversity, inclusion and exclusion topics related to the practice of medicine and academic pedagogy.

Education and Certifications
  • Master of Arts, Wright State University, Applied Behavioral Science – Organizational Training and Development, Dayton, Ohio
  • Bachelor of Science, Rush University- Medical Technology in Biological Sciences, Chicago, Illinois

     

Post-Graduate Education

  • Keck school of Medicine, School of Public Health projected graduation date 2022, Spring
  • Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology, Post- Doctoral Degree, Nova
  • Southwestern University, Center for Psychological Studies, Ft Lauderdale, Florida
  • Doctor of Psychology, Wright State University, School of Professional Psychology-Clinical Psychology, Dayton, Ohio

     

Clinical License

  • Licensed Psychologist, California, Active
  • Licensed Psychologist, Indiana, Active

     

Board Certification

  • American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Active
  • American Board of Medical Psychology (ABMP), Active
  • American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Finney, K. (2020). African American Professors in Predominantly White Institutions. The Reality of Diversity, Gender, & Skin Color: From the Living Room to the Classroom. Cognella Academic Publishing
  • Finney, K. (2020). Environmental Consequences: A Discussion on Stress and Wellness. The Reality of Diversity, Gender, & Skin Color: From the Living Room to the Classroom. Cognella Academic Publishing
  • Crenshaw, G & Finney, K. (2020). Conclusion and Analysis on the Reality of Racism: An American Cancer, American Original Sin. The Reality of Diversity, Gender, & Skin Color: From the Living Room to the Classroom. Cognella Academic Publishing
  • Finney,K. (2018) Basic Principle of Psychopharamcology. First Edition Cengage Publications
  • Finney, K. (2018) "Treating the trauma of military sexual trauma and psychopharmacology (chapter 6)." In Understanding and treating military sexual trauma, Zaleski, K: Springer.
  • Zaleski, K., Araque, J., Finney, K., (2017) Empathy in Social Work, submitted to Journal of Social Work Education
  • Finney, K. & Smith-Maddox, R., Smoking Cessation Drugs for the SAGE Encyclopedia of Pharmacology and Society (2016)

     

Abstracts and Presentations

  • Finney, K (2020) DCFS BBS Training, Los Angeles County, Understanding Psychopharmacology (3CEUs)
  • Finney, K (2019) Iranian-American Law Conference, Los Angeles, Cultural Competency in Family Law
  • Finney, K (2019) Military and Veterans as part of the Perspectives on Native American Issues event, Panelist, Los Angeles, USC
  • Finney, K (2019) LEAD Los Angeles Police Department Training, Domestic Violence
  • Finney, K (2019) Marshall School of Business, Reintegration Training for Navy SEALS

Tom Carlson

Tom Carlson
Biography

Tom Carlson joined the CFT Program at Alliant International University-San Diego Campus, as a full professor in 2021. He brings 21 years of teaching and supervision experience in a COAMFTE accredited training program. Dr. Carlson is committed to centering his teaching, supervision, and clinical practice in social justice principles. He has published widely on feminist and social justice approaches to training and supervision as well as LGBTQ affirmative therapy and training. Dr. Carlson and his colleagues at North Dakota State University were awarded the AAMFT Training Award in 2012 for their commitment to diversity, inclusion, and social justice in CFT training. Dr. Carlson has also published widely on the topic of narrative therapy as it relates to therapy, supervision, and training. He is the co-editor of the Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy and the developer of a unique approach to narrative couples therapy called “Relational Accountability” that invites couples to nurture stories of love and compassion in one another through the intentional living out of narrative ethics in their lives and relationships. Dr. Carlson is passionate about developing alternative pedagogies for training therapists and is the co-author, along with David Epston and Travis Heath, of the soon to be published book entitled, “Reimagining Narrative Therapy Through Practice Stories and Autoethnography.” Dr. Carlson is also the co-developer, along with David Epston, of an innovative trauma-informed performative approach to narrative therapy called “Insider Witnessing Practices” invites clients to be witnesses to a dramatic retelling of the counter stories of their lives.

Education and Certifications
  • Ph.D. Iowa State University
     

Credentials and Certifications

  • Fellow and Approved Supervision American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
Courses
  • Couples Therapy
  • Diversity and the Family
  • MFT Theories and Techniques I
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Paljakka, S. & Carlson, T. (2020). "Love is not dead yet. Narrative couples therapy in times on unlove." Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy. December Release.
  • Carlson, T. (2020). "What is a good story? Counterstorying in narrative therapy." Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. April Release.
  • Carlson, T. (2020). "Who is the insider in insider and outsider witnessing practices." Journal of Contemporary Narrative Therapy. April Release.
  • Zimmerman, J. & Carlson, T. (2020). "Insider Witnessing Practices, Trauma, and Neuro-Affectional Reauthoring". Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. April Release.
  • Carlson, T. S., & Epston, D., H. (2017). "Insider witnessing practices: A preliminary discussion: Part One." Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. March Release.
  • Carlson, T. S., & Epston, D., H. (2017). "Insider witnessing practices: A preliminary discussion: Part Two." Journal of Narrative Family Therapy. March Release.
  • Carlson, T. S., Corturillo, E. M., & Freedman, J. (2017). "There’s always a puppy (and sometimes a bunny): A story about a story about a story." Journal of Systemic Therapies, 35(3), 73-82.
  • Carlson, T. S., Corturillo, E. M., Huerta Lopez, A. Vedvei, S. & Pilkington, S. (2017). "Learning narrative therapy backwards: Exemplary Tales as an Alternative Pedagogy for Learning Practice." Journal of Systemic Therapies, 36(1), 94-107.
  • McGeorge, C. R., Carlson, T. S., & Maier, C. (2017). "Are we there yet? Faculty Members’ Beliefs and Teaching Practices Related to the Ethical Treatment of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients." Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 43(2), 322-337.
  • McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2016). "The state of lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative Training: A survey of faculty from accredited couple and family therapy programs." Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 42(1), 153-167.
  • Carlson, T. S. & Haire, A. R. (2014). "Toward a Theory of Relational Accountability: An Invitational Approach to Living Narrative Ethics in Couple Relationships." International Journal of Narrative Therapy & Community Work, 3, 1-16.
  • Carlson, T. S., McGeorge, C. R., & Toomey, R. B. (2013). "Establishing the validity of the lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative training inventory: Assessing the relationship between affirmative training and clinical competence." Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 39(2). 209-222.
  • McGeorge, C. R., & Carlson, T. S. (2011). "Deconstructing heterosexism: Becoming an LGB affirmative heterosexual couple and family therapist." Journal of Marital & Family Therapy, 37(1), 14-26.

Talia Szydlo

Talia Szydlo
Biography

Dr. Talia Szydlo is a psychologist licensed in California and in the United Kingdom. She holds a full-time Core Faculty position in the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at CSPP, Alliant International University, San Diego. In addition, she is an Assistant Clinical Professor at the Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, where she collaborates with international clinicians and scholars conducting research on topics related to development processes.

Prior to moving to the US, Dr. Szydlo worked in London as a psychotherapist at the Mental Health Support Service of King’s College University, as well as at Parkside Clinic, where she provided long-term psychoanalytic psychotherapy to individual clients.

In private practice, Dr. Szydlo works with adults and young adults. Her clinical work focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of various psychological conditions (anxiety, depression, personality disorders, eating disorders, etc.), as well as with broader existential concerns such as how to live an authentic life, and connect meaningfully with other people.

Professional Interests

Dr. Szydlo enjoys conducting qualitative research as a way of building an in-depth understanding of unique lived experience and complex psychological phenomena. Her research interests include: culturally-informed developmental psychology, migration and its effect on the formation of identity, critical psychopathology, and the variable applications of psychoanalytic theory and existential philosophy in psychotherapy.

Courses
  • Advanced Psychopathology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Qualitative Methods of Research 
  • G2 Clinical Consultation 
  • G3 Clinical Consultation 
  • Psy.D Proposal Development
  • Psy.D Dissertation Supervision

Sara Lappan

Alliant Faculty Member
Professional Interests
  • Systemically-based interventions to reduce health disparities
  • Community Based Participatory Research
  • Cultural adaptation of Evidence-Based Interventions
  • Psychedelic-assisted treatments for trauma and addiction
  • Incorporating client feedback into therapy
Education and Certifications
  • PhD, Michigan State University
  • AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Courses
  • Supervision in MFT
  • Practicum
  • Trauma and Crisis Intervention
  • Advanced Family Therapy I
  • Advanced MFT Research: Qualitative
  • Chemical Dependency and the Family
  • MFT Theories and Techniques II
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

Danna Abraham

Danna Carter
Biography

As a light brown-skinned female who immigrated from Brazil, Danna arrived in the United States with many hopes for the future. As a young clinician, she was drawn even further towards her commitments to the community when she developed a particular interest in examining what kind of knowledges informed psychological practices. As these ideas solidified, she embraced aspects of therapy that invited people to broaden the ways they think about themselves and others. Once she obtained an MFT licensure in California, she worked closely with the LatinX community at a local children’s hospital in San Diego where she was privileged to witness the perseverance of families seeking her help in the face of adversity and life constraints. 

Her clinical work focused on helping children and adolescents who experienced self-harm and suicidal behaviors. Working on the behavioral health frontlines with economically disadvantaged families sparked her interest in pursuing her doctoral studies. Without reservations, she made the commitment to diversity and social equity extended to supporting young therapists in a mentorship role. As an AAMFT-approved supervisor, she dedicated her time to help students and interns focusing on culturally sensitive practices as well as providing supervision in English and Spanish. In her teaching, she attempts to recapture the essence of relational ethics between learner and mentor. She hopes that the considerations and efforts to reverse traditional hierarchical roles in academia can offer new possibilities in a sacred space of learning where the importance of examining our own values/ethics facilitate conversations for rich and equity-based learning.

Dr. Abraham is the director of the Research Initiative for Storytelling Engagement (RISE) Lab. She is committed to explore structural gender inequalities in higher education. www.theriselab.com

Professional Interests
  • Narrative practices
  • Supervision & Pedagogy
  • Community-based research
  • Quantitative and qualitative research methods
  • Animal-assisted interventions
Education and Certifications
  • Education 1: PhD, Loma Linda University
  • Education 2: M.S in Counseling, San Diego State University
  • Education 3: B.S in Psychology, University of Fortaleza

 

Credentials and Certifications

  • AAMFT Approved Supervisor (2017)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (2013)
  • Peace Officer with 5150 Certification, San Diego County Behavioral Health  Agency (2015). San Diego, CA
  • Certification in Emergency Services Approved Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training (2009). San Diego, CA
  • Animal-Assisted Interventions, PESI (2015). San Diego, CA
  • Conflict Resolution Certificate, National Conflict Resolution Center (2008). Rimini, Italy

 

Honors

  • 2020 Research Excellence Award - Loma Linda University
Courses

  • Diversity and the Family

  • MFT Theories and Techniques 1

  • MFT Practicum

  • MFT Assessment

  • Group Therapy

  • MFT Theories and Techniques 2

  • Advanced Statistics 1

  • MFT Research Methods

  • Internship Supervision

  • Supervision in MFT

  • Advanced Quantitative Methods

Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

  • Abraham, D. (2024, in press). Therapy tales from Dominic the pit. Mascot Books.

  • Abraham, D. (2023). Have you received the gift of adversity this season? Op – Ed. San Diego Union Tribune. San Diego, CA.

  • Abraham, D. (2024, Feb). I am brave enough... to claim my space. Invited Presentation Regional Student Diversity Summit. Bishop High School. Feb 4th, 2024. San Diego, Ca.

  • Abraham, D. (2024, Apr). Re-politicizing MFT Education & Practice. 50 year Anniversary CFT program. Alliant International University. Invited Presentation. Systemwide.

  • Abraham, D. (2023, Oct). Reimaging Family Therapy through Research and Practice. Invited Speaker. AAMFT Virtual Systemic Family Therapy Conference. Sponsored by AAMFT.

  • Abraham, D., Chandler, D., DeGraff, A., Fontus, F., Osborne, K. R., Somo, C. M., & Walsdorf, A. A. (2023, May). The race between us: Exploring justice and relational ethics through “race talks.” Workshop presented at the International Conference on Contextual Therapy 2023 (ICCT2023) in Long Beach, CA.

  • Abraham, D. (2023). Exploring adversity and its value in your story development. Regional Student Diversity Summit. Bishop High School. Feb 4th, 2023. San Diego, Ca.

  • Carter, D. & Carlson, T. (2021). "Narrative Supervision as Counterstory Development." Journal of Narrative Family Therapy.
  • Distelberg, B., Carter, D., Ochoa, S. (2021). "The Golden Apartments Permanent Housing Program Baseline Report." The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino.
  • Carter, D. (2020). "Witness to Witness Psychosocial Support Pilot Study Program Evaluation." Migrant Clinician Network. (Report No. 1).
  • Distelberg, B., Carter, D., & Ochoa, S. (2020). "No Child Left Unsheltered (NCLU)." The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (Report No. 5).
  • Distelberg, B., & Carter, D. (2019). "Maplewood Report: A community needs assessment." The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (Report No. 2).
  • Distelberg, B., Carter, D., & Ochoa, S. (2019). "No Child Left Unsheltered (NCLU) study report." The Housing Authority of the County of San Bernardino (Report No. 4).
  • Distelberg, B, Carter, D.,(2018) "Launch Initiative Report." Inland Empire Economic Partnership (IEEP). (Report No. 1).

 

Presentations

  • Carter, D., & Carlson, T. (2021, Accepted Presentation). Narrative Supervision as a Counter Story Development: Embracing relational knowledge and personal experience. 43rd Annual AFTA Conference 1st Virtual Conference.
  • Carter, D., & Distelberg, B. (2020, Accepted Presentation). No Child Left Unsheltered: Examining the politics of navigating the systems of homelessness. Annual AFTA conference, Alexandria, VA.
  • Carter, D., & Carlson, T. (2020, Accepted Presentation). Narrative Supervision as a Counter Story Development: Embracing relational knowledge and personal experience. Annual AFTA Conference, Alexandria, VA.
  • Carter, D., & Distelberg, B. (2019, November). Relationships for social change: A Longitudinal Examination of a Promotora-led program for Socioeconomic Mobility. Poster 2019 NCFR Conference, Fort Worth, TX.
  • Carter, D. (2019, November). Advancing Culturally Responsiveness practices. Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA.
  • Carter, D. (2019, June). Relationships for Social Change. Annual AFTA Conference, Oakland, CA.
  • Carter, D. (2016, September). All you wanted to know about 504's and IEPs and the Educational Mental Health Services in Schools. Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA.
  • Grame, T., & Carter, D. (2015, May) Addressing compassion fatigue in the work environment. Rady Children's Hospital Outpatient Psychiatry All Staff Seminar. San Diego, CA.
  • Carter, D. (2015, June). All you wanted to know about 504's and IEPs and the Educational Mental Health Services in Schools. Rady Children's Hospital, Outpatient Psychiatry, North Inland. In-Service, San Diego, CA.
  • Carter, D. (2014, June). Integrating technology in psychotherapy interventions. Rady Children's Hospital, Outpatient Psychiatry, North Inland/North Coastal in Service, San Diego, CA.

Nadine Nakamura

Dr. Nadine Nakamura
Biography

Nadine Nakamura, Ph.D. has served on the APA Presidential Task Force on Immigration and the APA Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity, and as co-chair of the APA LGB Guidelines Revisions Task Force. She was awarded the American Psychological Association Minority Fellowship Program Early Career Achievement Award in 2014, the National Multicultural Conference and Summit’s Rising Star Award in 2017, and the APA Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Outstanding Achievement Award in 2020. She is currently a member of APA’s Minority Fellowship Program’s Training Advisory Committee and the APA representative to the International Psychology Network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex Issues. She is also active in the Asian American Psychological Association where she is serving as co-chair of the AAPA Leadership Fellows Program. 

Professional Interests

Her research focuses on understanding the unique needs of LGBTQ people of color, LGBTQ immigrants and asylum seekers, as well as LGBTQ international issues. 

Education and Certifications

Dr. Nakamura earned her BA in Psychology with a specialization in Asian American Studies from UCLA and earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from The George Washington University. 

Scholarship and Contributions to the Field

She has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, as well as a co-edited book titled LGBTQ Mental Health: International Perspectives and Experiences. 

Jacqueline Fahey

Jacqueline Fahey
Biography

Jacqueline Fahey, Psy.D., IFECMHS, is an Assistant Professor and the Program Director in the PsyD program at the Sacramento Campus. She has been with the Sacramento campus as a faculty member since 2021 and is a proud alumni of the Sacramento program as well. Dr. Fahey completed her APA-accredited internship with a community mental health agency, Family Service and Guidance Center, in Topeka, Kansas. She then completed her post-doctoral fellowship at the UC Davis Dept. of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences in the Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Services (CAPS) Clinic in Sacramento, California. She has previously held positions with Job Corps - Sacramento, the Division of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), Veterans Affairs (Mather), California State Prison – Sacramento, in addition to holding contracts doing psychological assessments to determine Social Security benefits as well as diagnostic/treatment recommendations for children/adolescents/young adults in Sutter County. Dr. Fahey is a graduate of the UC Davis Napa Infant-Parent Mental Health Fellowship and is certified as an Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist in the state of California.

When not working, Dr. Fahey is an avid reader, passionate gardener, novice poet and photographer, and loves being with her family. 

Professional Interests

Dr. Fahey has participated in numerous research projects and teams; however, her primary research interest is in the field of health psychology. Dr. Fahey has been completing research in this field since her undergraduate career. In 2016, Dr. Fahey traveled with fellow graduate students to rural villages in Vietnam to examine the impact of introducing health behavior change on the rates of parasitic disease. She then completed an additional qualitative research study that reviewed the impact of completing international research on graduate students' professional development. She currently has a research lab led by students that is exploring a variety of health-related topics, including perinatal/postpartum mental health. In addition to her research experience, she has extensive training in working with children ages 0-5, Play Therapy, Sandtray Therapy, trauma treatment (TF-CBT, CPT, etc.), Motivational Interviewing, and Exposure and Response Prevention for anxiety disorders. She is also passionate about teaching, supervision, the professional development of graduate students, and social justice. 

Education and Certifications
  • IFECMHS from the California Center for Infant-Family and Early Childhood Mental Health, California (2023)
  • Psy.D. from California School Professional Psychology, Sacramento (2019)
  • M.A. from California School Professional Psychology, Sacramento (2017)
  • B.S. from Santa Clara University (2014)
Courses
  • Advanced Psychopathology 
  • Introduction to Psychotherapy
  • Four-Course Dissertation Sequence
  • Group Practicum Consultation
  • Education, Consultation, and Advocacy 
  • Lifespan/Human Development
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Fahey, J. E. (2018). The Impact of the Mother-Son Relationship on Expressions of Aggression in Young Adulthood (Doctoral dissertation). CSPP at Alliant International University, Sacramento, CA. Defended Spring 2018.
  • Plante, T. G., Opezzo, M. A., Diaz, L. A., Pistoresi, S., Santos, M., Fahey, J. E., Kay, E., Britton, B., & Khan, S. (2014). "The Influence of Exercise Environment and Gender on Mood and Exertion." International Journal of Exercise Science, 7(3), 220-227.

     

Presentations

  • Fahey, J., Swanson, S., & Petersen, S. (2017, August). Imagine the Possibilities: The Impact of Conducting International Research. Poster session presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
  • Burns, J., Swanson, S., Lor, M., Schlinger, J., Pasha, S., Galvez, V., Fahey, J., Schumacher, J., Nicholson, V., Bobb, K., Baity, M. (2017, March). The Use of the Ego-Resiliency Scale (ER89-R) in Measuring Resiliency Among Combat Veterans. Poster session presented at the meeting of the Society for Personality Assessment, San Francisco, California.
  • Kay, E., Plante, T. G. Santos, M., Diaz, L., Lara, M., Britton, B., Moreno, P. E., Khan, S., Sia, M., & Fahey, J. (2013, March). The influence of gender, narcissism, and fitness environment on exercise exertion and mood. Paper session presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, San Francisco, California.

Lisa Christensen

Lisa Christensen
Biography

Dr. Christensen received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from UCLA in 2012, after completing a pre-doctoral internship at the UCLA Medical Center/Semel Institute (Child Track). Dr. Christensen then completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Clinic. Prior to joining the faculty at CSPP/Alliant International University – Los Angeles, Dr. Christensen worked at UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services (2013-2017) and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles in the USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (2017-2021).  

Dr. Christensen has expertise in number of empirically-supported treatments, including but not limited to Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A), the Incredible Years (IY) Program and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr. Christensen has a strong research background in developmental disorders, having published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, the Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disability, the Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Dr. Christensen's interests also include mental health outreach and the application of empirically-supported interventions to underserved populations.

Professional Interests
  • Developmental Disabilities
  • Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Intellectual Disability
  • Comorbidity/Dual Diagnosis
  • Evidence-Based Treatments for Youth
  • Mindful Awareness
Education and Certifications
  • Licensed Psychologist, CA PSY 26014
  • Ph.D. University of California, Los Angeles
  • M.A. University of California, Los Angeles
  • B.A. University of California, San Diego

     

Honors

  • 2016 UCLA Star Award
  • 2014 UCLA Star Award
  • 2011 Shepherd Ivory Franz Distinguished Teaching Award
  • 2010 Psychology Department Dissertation Year Fellowship
  • 2010 Collegium of Undergraduate Teaching Fellows
  • 2008 UCLA Graduate Research Mentorship Fellowship
  • 2008 National Science Foundation Honorable Mention
  • 2007 Faculty Women’s Club Fellowship
  • 2007 UCLA Graduate Summer Research Fellowship
  • 2006 Faculty Women’s Club Fellowship
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Christensen, L. & Baker, B. (2021). "The Etiology of Oppositional Defiant Disorder for Childrenwith and without Intellectual Disabilities: A Preliminary Analysis." Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disability. 14:1, 50-69.
  • Christensen, L., & Baker, B. (2020). "Risk-taking and Delinquent Behaviors among Youth with and without Intellectual Disabilities." Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disability. 13:1, 1-24.
  • Neece, C.L. Christensen, L.L., Berkovits, L., & Mayo, D. (2015). "Psychopathology: ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, and Other Conditions Present in Early Childhood." In Matson, J.L & Matson, M.L. (Eds.) Comorbid Conditions in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. New York, NY: Springer Publishers.
  • Christensen, L. (2013). Dual Diagnosis: Intellectual Disability and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. Dissertation Abstracts.
  • Tipton, L.A., Christensen, L. & Blacher, J. (2013). "Friendship Quality in Adolescents with and without an Intellectual Disability." Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 26(6), 522-532.
  • Christensen, L., & Baker, B. (2013). "Oppositional Defiant Disorder in Children with Developmental Delays: Prevalence, Age of Onset and Stability." Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disability. 6(3), 225-244.
  • Christensen, L., Fraynt, B., Neece, C. L. & Baker, B.L. (2012). "Bullying Adolescents with Intellectual Disability." Journal of Mental Health Research in Intellectual Disability. 5(1), 49-65.
  • Blacher, J. & Christensen, L. (2011). "Sowing the Seeds of the Autism Field: Leo Kanner (1943)." Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. 49(3), 172-91.
  • Christensen, L., Rozga, A., Hutman, T., Young, G., Ozonoff, S., Rogers, S., Baker B., & Sigman, M. (2010). "Play and Developmental Outcomes in Infant Siblings of Children with Autism." Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 40(8), 946-957.

Amy Johansson

Amy Johansson
Biography

Dr. Amy Johansson (Psy.D) is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at California School of Professional Psychology/Alliant International University. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship at Neuropsychological Associates of Southwest Missouri (NASM) and Burrell Behavioral Health in Springfield, Missouri. Dr. Johansson specializes in neuropsychological assessment and treatment of patients with various types of brain injury. She completed her internship at the Ozark Center’s inpatient psychiatric unit in Joplin, Missouri where she provided individual therapy, group therapy, and psychological assessments to adults. Prior to her internship, she provided individual therapy to children, adolescents, and adults at Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, California. She also completed her practicums at Paradigm Malibu, a treatment facility for adolescents in Malibu, and at California Lutheran University’s Community Counseling Clinic where she provided therapy services to individuals with a history of intimate partner violence. Dr. Johansson utilizes a Rogerian approach to therapy and teaching, and believes that the best way to facilitate change and growth is through congruence, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard.

Professional Interests

Child and adolescent trauma, neuropsychology

Education and Certifications
  • Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology, California Lutheran University, Oxnard, CA
  • M.S. in Clinical Psychology, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA
  • B.S. in Clinical Psychology, California Lutheran University, Thousand Oaks, CA

Kristin Whiteside

Alliant Faculty Member
Biography

Dr. Whiteside is a clinical psychologist and graduate in Adult Psychoanalysis from the San Diego Psychoanalytic Center. In her private practice she provides psychodynamic psychotherapy and psychoanalysis for adolescents and adults. She has been involved in the field of psychoanalysis through committee and programming work at the international, national, and local levels. Dr. She is Assistant Professor in the Clinical PsyD Program at the California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, is a faculty member of the San Diego Psychoanalytic Center, and is a Voluntary Assistant Professor in the Health Sciences at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine. 

Professional Interests

Whiteside’s research interests include neurodevelopmental disorders, psychoanalytic perspectives on clinical topics, the therapeutic relationship, and individual attachment and its relationship with personality and relationship experiences. 

Education and Certifications
  • Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, CSPP, San Diego
Courses
  • Theories of Personality, Pathology, And Psychotherapy: Psychoanalytic
  • Clinical Elective Psychodynamic
  • Clinical Elective: Attachment Seminar
Scholarship and Contributions to the Field
  • Whiteside, K. (2019). "Technical Challenges Posed by ADHD in the Opening Phase of Analysis: A Candidate’s Reflections." The Psychoanalytic Study of the Child, 72(1), 107–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/00797308.2019.1558626

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