Clinical Faculty, Dept. of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences,
David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
2009 Distinguished Psychologist Award,
Los Angeles County Psychological Association
I am dedicated to excellence in providing therapeutic and consultation services. I strive to create a nurturing and supportive atmosphere for change, growth and development. My commitment extends to both my own personal and professional growth and to the enhancement of my profession through a range of scholarly pursuits. I am guided by thoughtfulness and respect for those I serve. My goal is to diagnose, treat and eliminate or prevent mental health concerns using the latest knowledge and state-of-the-art techniques while striving to meet each individual’s special needs by providing the highest quality of care in a cost-effective manner, within a compassionate, professional, and pleasant environment. I look forward to hearing from you.
Major Areas of Clinical Interest
Anxiety, Trauma, and Phobias; Health and Medical Concerns; Mind-Body Issues; Relationship Concerns; Depression; Parenting; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Crisis Intervention; Abuse; Loss; Life Transitions; Performance, Personal Growth.
Education
Pepperdine University, Psy.D., Psychology
Colleagues Award for Academic Excellence, Pepperdine University (1993 - 1996)
Pepperdine University, M.A., Psychology
University of Southern California, B.A. – Psychology
Prominent Memberships & Associations
Los Angeles County Psychological Association, Cedars Sinai Hospital, American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, USC Keck School of Medicine, Sepulveda Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pepperdine University, Psi Chi: National Psychology Honor Society, American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Ventura County Psychological Association
Honors and Awards
2009 Presidential Citation Award, Los Angeles County Psychological Association
2009 Award Recipient, Distinguished Psychologist Award (Los Angeles County Psychological Association)
2008 Approved Consultant in Clinical Hypnosis. Designation awarded by American Society of Clinical Hypnosis
2007 President, Los Angeles County Psychological Association
2006 Award Recipient, American Red Cross Exceptional Volunteer Service - Candlelight Award. Los Angeles, CA.
2006 Certificate of Appreciation American Red Cross for Service in Response to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita
Special Pilot Research Grant Award. American Cancer Society – California Division. Principal Investigator: Short-Term Treatment of Traumatic Stress in Immigrant Latina Mothers of Children with Cancer. (5/99)
Special Projects Grant Award. American Cancer Society - California Division Co-Principal Investigator: Traumatic stress symptoms in immigrant Hispanic mothers of newly diagnosed cancer patients. (Grant #51097; 8/97-1/00)
Small Grant Recipient Award. American Cancer Society – California Division and the Norris Cancer Institute, ACS/IRG Pilot Project “Seed” Funds, (Grant #58-007-41). (9/96-12/99) Co-investigator: Quality of life and familism in Hispanic children with cancer and their families.
Colleagues Award for Academic Excellence, Pepperdine University (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996)
Psi Chi, National Psychology Honor Society (Lifetime)
Clinical, Consultant, and Teaching Responsibilities:
Clinical Faculty, Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA. (9/08-present).
Psychoeducational Consultant for Nelvana/Disney Channel (‘09). Provided assistance in script development and psychoeducational review for “Handy Manny,” a children’s animated television series.
Educational Consultant. Philips Graduate Institute, Doctoral Studies Community Consultant. (’08-’09)
Clinical Assistant Professor (Childrens Hospital Los Angeles), USC Keck School of Medicine Dept. of Pediatrics/Voluntary. Clinical Psychologist, PSY 16672. Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases. (‘00-’01)
Psychological Consultant for LIFE (‘01 – ‘03). Legal Information and Family Education Institute (LIFE; Moorpark College, Mary Baird Womens Center). Provided workshops for community attendees contemplating divorce.
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, CA (‘96 –’01) Postdoctoral Resident (1998-1999), Predoctoral Intern (1996-1997), USC Keck School of Medicine, Dept. of Pediatrics. Licensed Psychologist, Childrens Center for Cancer and Blood Diseases.
Sepulveda Veterans Affairs Medical Center, CA. (‘95 - ‘96)
UCLA/Olive View Medical Center. Sylmar, CA. (‘94 - ‘95) Three inpatient locked units: diagnostic interviewing, neuropsychological assessment and bilingual neuropsychological assessment of adolescents and adults, personality evaluations, and report writing.
Pepperdine Psychological and Family Services Clinic, Culver City, CA.( ‘94 - ‘95) Provided individual therapy for outpatient caseload, performed intakes and general psychological assessments.
Glendale Family Service Association, CA. (‘94) Short and long term child and family therapy, individual psychotherapy with diverse multicultural clientele, group therapy, play therapy, and psychological assessment of children, adolescents and adults.
Valley Counseling Clinic. Sherman Oaks, CA. (‘92 - ‘93) Individual therapy to adolescents, young adults, adults and couples. Performed general psychological assessments.
AMEND Organization. Los Angeles, CA. (‘86 - ‘88) Ongoing crisis intervention and bereavement therapy for parents experiencing trauma from infant death. Recovery groups focusing on cognitive restructuring strategies and coping skills training.
Cedars Sinai Hospital. Los Angeles, CA. (‘83 - ‘84) Volunteer mental health supportive services to cancer patients and their families. Explored availability of coping resources with families, and issues of meaning, purpose, and spirituality.
American Red Cross
Disaster Mental Health Advisory Council (L.A. Chapter, 2004-2009)
American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Services, Certified Disaster Mental Health Volunteer. (‘01-present).
American Red Cross Disaster Response Community Activity Assistance:
Station Fire, Angeles National Forest
Metrolink train derailment (Chatsworth)
Sylmar (Sayre) fire
Simi Valley wildfires
La Conchita mudslides
Ojai Valley mudslides
Santa Clarita wildfires
Malibu Canyon wildfires
Individual family mortality from fires
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Rita
Alaska Airlines plane crash memorial
Los Angeles apartment house fire(s)
Northridge apartment house fire
Los Angeles County Psychological Association:
President (‘07)
Board of Directors (‘04-’10)
Mind/Body Community Education Committee (‘09)
Immediate Past President (‘08)
Chairperson, Nominations and Elections Committee (‘08)
Executive Committee (‘04-’08)
Disaster Response Committee Co-chairperson (‘03,‘04,‘05,‘06)
Health Psychology Committee (‘05 -'09)
Continuing Education Committee (‘07-’10)
Media/Public Affairs Committee (‘07-’09)
California Psychological Association Board of Directors (Representative, 5/05)
Psychology Delegate to California State Legislature, Annual Advocacy Day (2005-2007)
Ventura County Psychological Association
Disaster Response Committee Chairperson, (2001-2002)
Board of Directors, (2001-2002)
Society Memberships (past and present):
National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, (2004-present)
Los Angeles County Psychological Association/Board of Directors (2004-2013)
Ventura County Psychological Association (Board of Directors, (2001)
California Psychological Association/current member
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies/current member
Conejo Valley Mental Health Professionals Association
Southern California Society for Clinical Hypnosis
American Society for Clinical Hypnosis/current member
Society of Psychological Hypnosis (APA Division 30, past member)
Society for Clinical Psychology (APA, Division 42, past member)
American Psychological Association /current member
Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology/life member
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies/past member
Society of Group Psychology and Group Psychotherapy (APA, Div. 49, past member)
Society of Pediatric Psychology (APA Division 12, past member)
Division of Psychotherapy (APA, Division 29, past member)
Karin
