Faculty
Our talented and competent faculty bring various life experiences and educational backgrounds to the classroom and beyond.
For complete profiles, please click on the faculty's name.
Department Chair
Marie-Claude Couture, associate professor, health professions department chair, and epidemiologist, has more than fifteen years of experience leading public health studies in national and international settings, including Haiti, Cambodia, Ghana, Thailand, and the Ivory Coast. She built a solid academic background in epidemiology and public health with research interests in substance use, infectious diseases, vaccination, victimization and violence, and social determinants of health in diverse...
- Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada, PhD in Public Health, epidemiology
- McGill University, Montreal, Canada, MSc, Masters in Biochemistry, molecular biology
- Université Laval Quebec, Canada...
- Epidemiology
- Data analysis
- Mixed methods research
- Geospatial ecological momentary assessment
- Survey methods
Program Director
Dr. Alette Coble-Temple is a licensed clinical psychologist who comes to the University of San Francisco with 18 years of teaching within a clinical psychology doctorate program and 20 years of experience as a forensic evaluator. Her cultural-responsive leadership style promotes innovative academic and training structures to strengthen accessibility and effectiveness. Dr. Coble-Temple mentors from a developmental perspective with an emphasis on equity, diversity, and inclusion. Her research and...
- John F. Kennedy University, PsyD in Clinical Psychology, 1999
- John F. Kennedy University, MA in Sport Psychology, 1995
- Santa Clara University, BS in Psychology, 1993
- Clinical psychology
- Disability rights, justice, and identity development
- Neuropsychology
- Forensic risk assessment
- Attachment theory
- Invisible disability
- Ableism
- Universal design
- Navigating academic and clinical settings with a...
Full-Time Faculty
June Madsen Clausen, PhD is a Professor in the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program within the School of Nursing and Health Professions (SONHP). Previously, she served as the inaugural Senior Associate Dean for SONHP, as Program Director for the PsyD Program, as Associate Dean for Academic Effectiveness in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and as Chair of the Department of Psychology in CAS. She is the founder and collaborating researcher with the Foster Care Research Group; her published work...
- University of California, San Francisco, Post Doctoral Fellowship in Clinical Services Research, 1994
- University of California, San Diego, PhD in Clinical Psychology, 1992
- University of California...
- Trauma
- Foster Youth
- Program Evaluation
- Assessment of Student Learning in Higher Education
Brent (Rick) Ferm is a core faculty member and licensed psychologist in the USF Clinical Psychology PsyD program. He was a clinical psychologist for the Veterans Affairs, Northern California Health Care System for 20 years, including providing training in psychodynamic treatment approaches for clinical psychology interns. Additionally, he was on the medical faculty at the UC Davis School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, providing psychotherapy training to psychiatry residents. He is a...
- Northwestern University, PhD in Clinical Psychology, 1991
- UC Berkeley, BS in Psychology, 1980
- Psychodynamic psychotherapy
- Clinical supervision
- Attachment theory
- Time-limited dynamic psychotherapy
Dr. Dellanira Garcia, a licensed clinical psychologist, obtained her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the University of Washington. She was awarded a National Research Service Award (F31) from the National Institutes of Mental Health to examine social capital and mental illness among women of Mexican descent. Dr. Garcia's research focuses on socio-cultural contextual factors impacting ethnic minority mental health and sexual risk behaviors, with an emphasis in Latino populations. Her community...
- PhD, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
- MA, Psychology, Boston University
- BA, Psychology, University of California at Davis
- Mental health and health disparities among BIPOC communities
- Latinx Mental Health
- Community based research methods
- Social determinants of health
- Women's sexual risk and health
Dr. David A. Martinez completed his PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Health Psychology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Post-doctoral fellowship at the Medical School of Brown University. Prior to his post-doc he was a Psychology Intern in the Behavioral Medicine Program at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System. He was awarded a pre-doctoral National Research Service Award (F31) from the National Institute of Mental Health to explore the barriers and facilitators to...
- PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City
- MA, Psychology, University of Missouri-Kansas City
- BA, Psychology, San Diego State University
Dr. Meghani is a core faculty member and licensed psychologist in the School of Nursing and Health Professions Clinical Psychology PsyD program. She served as the PsyD Program Director from 2021 - 2024.
Dr. Meghani is the founder of Parentline, a free telehealth service that provides emotional support and counseling to parents of children from birth to five years of age. Her research examines the impact of inclusive, culturally responsive, and evidence-based interventions focused on reducing...
- UCSF/ZSFG Clinical Psychology Training Program, Clinical Internship and Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2009-2011
- University of Massachusetts Amherst, PhD in Clinical Psychology, 2010
- University of...
- Child, adolescent, and family psychology
- Psychodynamic, brief/strategic, and solutions-focused therapy
- South Asian diaspora acculturation and mental health
- Program development and community partnerships
Dr. Michelle Montagno is a licensed psychologist and a long-time social justice advocate. She worked in the nonprofit and government sectors prior to pursuing a career in clinical psychology. Her areas of clinical and research interest include culturally responsive therapy, interpersonal and brief psychotherapy, racial and sexual identity development, privilege and oppression, and culturally accountable graduate training. She is also proudly certified as an advanced open-water scuba diver.
- The Wright Institute, PsyD in Clinical Psychology, 2010
- The Wright Institute, MA in Clinical Psychology, 2007
- Ohio State University, BA in Political Science and Women’s Studies, 1999
- Culturally responsive therapy
- Interpersonal therapy
- Brief therapy
- Identity development
Conor Smith is a core faculty member and the Assistant Director of Clinical training in the Clinical Psychology PsyD program at the University of San Francisco. He received his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) from the University of San Francisco and completed his clinical residency and internship at the San Francisco V.A. Health Care System.
His primary clinical and research interests involve addressing the healthcare needs of LGBTQ+ people and other marginalized communities through...
- University of San Francisco, Doctor of Psychology PsyD, 2021
- University of San Francisco, MS in Clinical Psychology, 2019
- Boston College, BA in Philosophy and English, 2013
- LGBTQ+ mental health
- Veteran mental health
- Primary care mental health
Part-Time Faculty
Dr. Bhattacharjee is a licensed clinical psychologist, adjunct professor in the PsyD program of the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium, and adjunct professor in the School of Nursing and Health Professions Clinical Psychology PsyD program at USF. Dr. Bhattacharjee sees individuals in private practice in San Francisco, CA.
Dr. Bhattacharjee has co-authored publications in peer-reviewed publications in the fields of developmental psychology, Asian-American psychology, and mood disorders and...
- PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium, PsyD in Clinical Psychology, 2023
- Wake Forest University, MA in Experimental Psychology, 2013
- UCLA, BS in Psychobiology, 2007
- UCLA, BA in English Literature...
- Psychoanalytic psychotherapy
- Trauma
- Cultural factors in psychotherapy
Dr. Boot-Haury (he/they) is a licensed clinical psychologist, American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) Certified Sex Therapist, and adjunct professor in the School of Nursing and Health Professions Clinical Psychology PsyD program at USF. In addition to teaching, Dr. Boot-Haury works in private practice, seeing couples and individuals, and works as an LGBTQ+ Research Fellow at Palo Alto University. Jared also serves as a certified mentor for individuals...
- Michigan School of Psychology, PsyD in Clinical Psychology, 2023
- George Washington University, Graduate Certificate in LGBT Health Policy and Practice, 2022
- Michigan School of Psychology, MA in...
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Global Education Institute Standards of Care 8 Certified Mentor, World Professional Association of Transgender Health
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LGBTQ+ Interprofessional Health Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Resident, San Francisco VA Health Care System
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Do...
Dr. Christine Chang is an adjunct professor in the School of Nursing and Health Professions Clinical Psychology PsyD program. She is a licensed psychologist practicing in California. Born and raised in Taipei, Taiwan, Dr. Chang offers culturally informed depth psychotherapy with specialties in anxiety, grief, family trauma, and immigrant and minority experience. Dr. Chang also works as a clinical supervisor and adjunct faculty at the Wright Institute and Palo Alto University. Additionally, she...
- Loyola University Chicago, Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, 2015
- Harvard University, M.Ed. in Human Development and Psychology, 2008
- National Taiwan University, B.A. in Sociology, 2005
- Contemporary psychodynamic theories and practices (e.g., Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), Somatic Experiencing (SE))
- Treatments for grief and complex trauma (e.g., intergenerational trauma)
- Anxiety and stress management
- As...
Dr. Jennifer Chen is a clinical psychologist, educator, and activist. She has a small private practice in Berkeley seeing adolescents and adults for individual therapy, utilizing CBT, EMDR, attachment theory, and trauma-informed approaches. She is currently an adjunct professor in the Clinical Psychology PsyD Program at USF and has taught classes on Evidenced Based Practices: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Practicum 2A and 2B. Dr. Chen is passionate about teaching and training new therapists...
- PGSP - Stanford PsyD Consortium, PsyD in Clinical Psychology, 2013
- UC Berkeley, BA in Psychology, 2005
- UC Berkeley, BS in Business Administration, 2005
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Mindfulness-based interventions
- Trauma
Dr. Fresnedi (she/her) is a licensed clinical psychologist and adjunct professor in the School of Nursing and Health Professions, Clinical Psychology PsyD program at USF. She received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) from USF. She completed her Doctoral Internship at the University of Oregon and her Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Fresnedi is committed to practicing psychology from a culturally informed perspective that honors strengths and...
- University of San Francisco, PsyD in Clinical Psychology, 2023
- University of San Francisco, MS in Clinical Psychology, 2021
- University of San Francisco, BA in Psychology, 2015
- Filipino psychology
- Cross-cultural psychology
- Identity development and concerns
California Board of Psychology: Licensed Psychologist PSY 24776
Allied Medical Staff/Staff Psychologist – California Pacific Medical Center
Adjunct Instructor – School of Education, Counseling Psychology Department
Affiliate Faculty – School of Nursing and Health Professions
Training
Fellowship, Department of Psychiatry, Child Adolescent Services, Kaiser SSF
Pre-Doctoral Internship, Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland
Juvenile Hall Forensic Mental Health Team, San Mateo County...
- PhD, Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology
- Family therapy
- Child and adolescent therapy
- Parent consultation
- Developmental differences
- Mental health intern supervision and training
- Community outreach
- Consultations with schools and pediatricians
Knute Johnson graduated with his PhD in clinical psychology from University of Palo Alto in 2012. His dissertation investigated how Cambodian refugees would adapt psychologically after deportation by the United States. It included variables such as Bicultural Identity Integration and Conflict as well as Khmer language proficiency and Knute's research was carried out in Cambodia. His postoctoral fellowship at Kaiser Permanente, Richmond Child and Family Psychiatry focused on adolescents with an...
- Palo Alto University, PhD in Psychology, 2012
- UC Davis, BA in Anthropology, 2000
- Clinical psychology
Dr. Melissa J. London, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who provides individual and group psychotherapy, supervision, and consultation in private practice and through her affiliation as an Assistant Professor with the University of California-San Francisco. She is also an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco. She has over a decade of experience working in specialty clinics for trauma and addiction at various Veterans Affairs hospitals, most recently as clinic coordinator...
- Northern Illinois University, PhD in Clinical Psychology
- CUNY-Hunter College, BA in Psychology & Sociology
- Substance use and addiction
- PTSD, complex trauma, and anxiety
- Identity based stress
Nithya is a first generation licensed clinical psychologist. She is passionate about de-colonizing and de-stigmatizing mental health and raise awareness on mental health in under-served communities. Nithya has worked in community mental health settings and integrated hospital settings in the past. Nithya provides therapy in English, Tamil and Hindi.
- India California School for Professional Psychology, San Francisco, Doctorate in Psychology
- Christ University, M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology
Dr. Patrick Saint-Jean, S.J, is a Member of the Society of Jesus-Jesuit and an adjunct professor in the School of Nursing and Health Professional Psychology program, Psy.D. He brings more than 15 years of experience in clinical psychology, psychoanalyst, psychotherapy, teaching, and writing skills. He specializes in complex trauma and racial trauma. Dr. Saint-Jean has a plethora of teaching experience with undergraduates and graduate students; he is a public speaker and author of several popular...
- Catholic Theological Union Chicago, M.Div, M.A, 2019
- Post Doctoral and certificate in race trauma at University of Chicago, 2015
- Universidad Autonoma National de Mexico, UNAM, Psy.D, 2013 in...
- Intergenerational trauma
- Race
- Racism
- Justice
- Religious Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome (RPTSS)
Alisha Saxena, PsyD (she/her/hers), is a licensed clinical psychologist and adjunct professor in the PsyD program at USF. In addition to teaching, Dr. Saxena works in private practice and partners with community organizations to host workshops, with a focus on inclusive spaces for historically marginalized groups.
Dr. Saxena earned her PsyD in Clinical Psychology at the PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium in 2021. She completed her doctoral internship at the Philadelphia VA and her postdoctoral...
- PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium, PsyD in Clinical Psychology, 2021
- Teachers College, Columbia University, MA in Psychology in Education, 2015
- University of Pennsylvania, BA in Psychology with...
- Clinical psychology
- Trauma, risk, and resilience factors
- Health psychology
- Multicultural identity experiences
Dr. Sneed has worked in the realm of behavioral health treatment for individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) for 17 years. She conducts applied research where she evaluates the efficacy of different models of care, parent-mediated interventions, parental stress, parental self-efficacy, autism spectrum disorder, and investigating psychometric properties of scales for people with I/DD. Dr. Sneed emphasizes the value of person-centered care that accentuates...
- Walden University, PhD in Clinical Psychology, 2022
- Walden University, MS in Applied Psychology, 2020
- National University, MS in Educational Counseling, 2010
- William Jessup University, BA in...
- Autism spectrum disorder
- Diagnostics
- Applied behavior analysis
- Parent-mediated interventions
Dr. Michael Vallario is a licensed clinical psychologist at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, where they work as a Suicide Prevention Coordinator and LGBTQ+ Veteran Care Coordinator. They also work in private practice part-time through the San Francisco Therapy Collective, and serve as volunteer supervisor on the training side of the practice, Queer LifeSpace. Their doctoral internship was completed at the James J. Peters VAMC in Bronx, NY and their postdoctoral residency in LGBTQ...
- Nova Southeastern University, PsyD in Clinical Psychology, 2019
- Florida Atlantic University, BA in Honors Psychology, 2014
- Clinical psychology
- Program development/quality improvement