Research on Intersectional Sexual and Gender Identity Experiences (RISE LAB)
Alumni
Rebecca Gitlin, Ph.D.
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Dr. Rebecca Gitlin is serving as the LGBTQ+ Services Specialist for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. She is a 2015 graduate of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU), where she was in the Diversity & Community Mental Health and the LGBTQ Areas of Emphasis. She received a B.A. from Wesleyan University in 2008, where she held a double major in Feminist, Gender, & Sexuality Studies and Psychology. Her clinical and research interests include trauma-informed, gender affirming, feminist, and multicultural approaches to integrated care for vulnerable populations. Her dissertation research was a mixed-methods exploration of resilience and relationships among justice-involved women, titled “Gender Role, Feminist Ideology, and Intimacy in Prison: Implications for Empowerment and Psychological Well-Being among Formerly Incarcerated Women.” While at PAU, she completed practica at the State of California Department of Rehabilitation, Project Pride at East Bay Community Recovery Project, and The Gronowski Center’s Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic. She completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship at Pacific Clinics in Pasadena, CA. She then completed an APA-accredited clinical postdoctoral fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Behavioral Medicine/Women’s Behavioral Health and an Advanced Fellowship in Women’s Health at VA of Greater Los Angeles. Prior to her current position, she served as the women's clinical lead for veterans services with the LA County Department of Mental Health. Dr. Gitlin has a part-time private practice, with a focus on trauma, perinatal/postpartum mental health, and gender affirming mental health. Outside of direct clinical practice, she has facilitated trainings and workshops for medical and mental health providers on multicultural reflection and responsiveness, with a particular focus on antiracist practice.
Valentina Rubinstein, Ph.D.
Dr. Valentina Rubinstein completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU) in 2015. While at PAU she completed the LGBTQ and the Diversity and Community Mental Health Areas of Emphasis. Her research interests focus on male survivors of sexual assault and LGBTQ psychology. Her clinical interests focus on individuals living with severe mental illness. Prior to and during graduate school she worked with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders, and this continues to be a clinical interest. She completed an APA- accredited pre-doctoral internship at Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. During her pre-doctoral training she also worked as a research assistant for the CUPPLES study, headed by Dr. Kimberly Balsam, Ph.D. She completed her postdoctoral training at the Department of State Hospitals-Napa. Dr. Rubinstein is currently working as a Staff Psychologist at Napa State Hospital, working primarily with underserved individuals. She is currently perusing additional training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy.
Jayme Peta, Ph.D.
Dr. Jayme Peta is a 2016 graduate of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU) in the LGBTQ and the Diversity and Community Mental Health Areas of Emphasis. Jayme received a B.A. from Wesleyan University in 1996, and an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Naropa University in 2007. Jayme’s clinical and research interests include transgender and gender non-binary mental health, serious and persistent mental illness, diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical training, mindfulness, and LGBTQ cultural competence. Jayme completed clinical practica at Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, and the St Helena Center for Behavioral Health and pre-doctoral internship as well as a post-doctoral fellowship at Marin County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. Jayme’s dissertation, entitled, Childhood Abuse, Minority Stress, and Mental Health in Transgender Adults received the Murray Tondow Outstanding Dissertation Award. Jayme is faculty for the LGBTQ+ Clinical Academy, a 40-hour training on LGBTQ+ cultural competency for mental health providers, and serves as the Associate Director of Clinical Training for PAU’s Ph.D. program.
Christina Rincon, Ph.D.
Christina Rincon-Zahm is a 2016 graduate of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). She received a B.A. in Psychology with a Minor in Religious Studies from the University of Oklahoma in 2010 and a M.S. in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University in 2014. She was in the LGBTQ and Diversity and Community Mental Health Areas of Emphasis at PAU. She served as PAU’s first Student Veterans Organization (SVO) President, and as treasurer of the Psychological Association for Gender Expression and Sexuality (PAGES). Her clinical interests include sexual and gender identity development, minority stress, trauma, eating disorders, and military/veteran culture. She completed clinical practica at the Gronowski Center’s Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic, the Bay Area Addiction Research and Treatment (BAART) Market Street, the Private Clinical Practice of Dr. Carol Wong, and the San Francisco VA Santa Rosa CBOC. Her research interests include sexual and gender minority issues with an emphasis on military and veteran populations. She was an investigator on the LGB Service Member Study and in addition to completing her dissertation with this data she has authored/co-authored multiple manuscripts, posters, and presentations. Her dissertation research focused on LGB Service Members and was titled Gender Expression and the Experience of Discrimination, Victimization, and Psychological Distress Among Currently Serving Sexual Minority Service Members. She completed a pre-doctoral internship at White River Junction VA in Vermont and is currently a Captain in the U.S. Air Force serving as a staff psychologist at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.
Predair Robinson, Ph.D.
Pronouns: He/him/his
Dr. Predair Robinson is a 2017 graduate of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). He received a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Leadership Studies and Philosophy/Religious Studies from Christopher Newport University in 2007. He also received his M.S. in Clinical Psychology from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University in 2014. He was in the LGBTQ Area of Emphasis at PAU. During graduate school, he served as PAU's Student Council (STUCO) Public Relations Chair and President of Psychological Association of Gender Expression and Sexuality (PAGES). His clinical interests include working with college students, LGBTQ+ populations, people of color, mood disorders, neurodivergent populations, supervision/training, and relationship work. His clinical approach combines feminist therapy and brief dynamic therapy elements, which focuses on systemic issues and their impact on an individual's mental health. His research interest included LGBTQ health, dating, and sex-seeking behaviors. He was a co-investigator on the Men’s Online Research of Psychological Health (MORPH) project, which spawned his dissertation "The Convergence of High-risk Sexual Behaviors, Online Dating, and Mental Health among Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Men." He completed his clinical practica at the Gronowski Center's Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic, City of Fremont: Youth and Family Services, San Jose State University's Counseling and Psychological Services, and the San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services: Youth Services Center. He also completed an APA-accredited predoctoral internship at Appalachian State University's Psychological and Counseling Services and his postdoctoral fellowship at San Jose State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. Following his postdoctoral experience, he worked at Palo Alto University as a Visiting Professor, Clinical Supervisor, and Interim Director of the SGIC. Currently, Dr. Robinson is the Director of Academic Satellites at Student Health and Counseling Services at UC Davis. In this role, he oversees clinicians embedded in UCD's professional schools, Graduate Studies, and each college Dean's Office.
Wyatt Evans, Ph.D.
Pronouns: He/him/his
Dr. Wyatt Evans is a graduate of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). He received a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas and a M.S. in Clinical Psychology from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University. He also completed the Diversity and Community Mental Health and LGBTQ Areas of Emphasis at PAU. Dr. Evans’ clinical and research interests are in the psychological sequelae of traumatic stress including PTSD, traumatic loss, and moral injury among military and marginalized populations. His ongoing translational research includes development and evaluation of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based interventions for resilience enhancement in service members and for combat veterans with moral injury. In 2020, Dr. Evans published his first book, The Moral Injury Workbook: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Skills for Moving Beyond Shame, Anger, & Trauma to Reclaim Your Values. From 2012 to 2017, Dr. Evans led and contributed to several research projects at PAU. Along with Drs. Balsam and Goldblum, he collaborated with the Naval Center for Combat and Operational Stress Control to complete the first study of LGB service members following the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Dr. Evans’ dissertation examined mental health, identity disclosure satisfaction, and unit acceptance among LGB service members. Also while at PAU, he completed clinical practica at the Palo Alto VA, the National Center for PTSD, and the Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System. Subsequently, he completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center and a two-year clinical research fellowship at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio with the STRONG STAR Consortium and the Consortium to Alleviate PTSD. Dr. Evans is currently a staff psychologist with the VA North Texas Health Care System in Plano, TX as well as adjunct faculty with Central Texas College and the University of North Texas.
Kevin K. Tomita, PhD
They/he/she
Dr. Kevin Tomita is a licensed clinical psychologist in Hawaiʻi who specializes in LGBTQ mental health. They received their doctorate in Clinical Psychology with emphases in 'LGBTQ Psychology' and 'Diversity and Community Mental Health' at Palo Alto University. They completed their B.S. in Psychology and Human Communication at Southern Oregon University and M.S. in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University prior to pursuing their doctorate. Dr. Tomita completed their internship and post-doctoral training at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and later served as clinical faculty. They have since opened a full-time private practice focused on the mental health and wellness of sexual and gender minority populations and provide psychotherapy on a pro bono basis at the Hawaiʻi Health and Harm Reduction Center. They have contributed to Hawaiʻi based public health policy efforts aimed at supporting Hawai'i's gender diverse communities. Additionally, they have co-authored research examining the effects of minority stress and gender-affirming medical interventions on the mental health of gender diverse individuals internationally. Apart from their work as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Tomita is an amateur wildlife photographer with special interests in Native Hawaiian forest birds.
Michael Richards, Ph.D.
Pronouns: He/him/his
Michael Richards is a 2018 graduate of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU) . He received a B.A. degree from Duke University in 2009, majoring in Psychology and minoring in Philosophy and Russian Language. He received an M.S. degree in Clinical Psychology from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University in 2015. He is in the Diversity and Community Mental Health and LGBTQ Psychology Areas of Emphasis at PAU. Michael served as the Vice President of the Psychological Association for Gender Expression and Sexuality (PAGES) from 2013-2014. His clinical interests include integrative therapy with young adult populations working on issues related to sexual and gender identities, as well as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. He completed clinical practica at the Gronowski Center community mental health clinic, HealthRight360’s dual diagnosis residential treatment facility, San Jose Job Corps’ health clinic, and San Jose State University’s counseling center. Michael’s research interests include personality and individual differences among LGBTQ individuals. He is one of the co-lead investigators on the Men’s Online Research on Psychological Health (MORPH) project. In June 2017, he defended his dissertation focused on the moderating effects of personality on the relationship between minority stress and mental health among gay, bisexual, and queer men. He completed his predoctoral internship at San Jose State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. He is currently employed as a visiting assistant professor at Palo Alto University and clinical supervisor at the Gronowski Center.
Jessica Simonetti, Ph.D.
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Jessica Simonetti received her Ph.D in Clinical Psychology from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU) in June 2019. She received her B.A. degree from St. John’s University in 2010 and her M.S. from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University in 2017. During her doctoral training, she completed both the Mindfulness and Meditation and the LGBTQ specialty areas of of emphases. She also served as Student Council (STUCO) Secretary, Psychological Association for Gender Expression and Sexuality (PAGES) President, and also as a board member of The Wellness Initiative for Therapists in at PAU. Her clinical interests include the integration of third wave behaviorism (e.g. mindfulness, meditation, compassion-focused work) into the field of health psychology and trauma-informed care. She completed clinical practica at the Gronowoski Center's Sexual and Genders Identities Clinic, the Community Health Awareness Council and the Women’s Counseling Center at the Palo Alto VA. She completed her predoctoral internship was at the Long Beach VA Hospital and is currently completing her postdoctoral residency in the Integrated Health and Healing Center at the West LA VA with a specialty focus in holistic mind-body approaches to healing. Likewise, her research interests focus on holistic care (mind-body approaches, mindfulness, compassion) and resilience among marginalized populations (e.g. LGBTQ). Her dissertation research focused on Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research protocol “Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT).” Specifically, her study was the first to examine the impact of CCT among LGBTQ individuals. She is currently completing a postdoctoral fellowship at the Integrative Health and Healing Center at the West LA VA, utilizing evidenced based mindfulness and compassion interventions.
Genevieve M. Kozne, Ph.D.
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Dr. Genevieve Kozne is a 2019 graduate of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). She received a B.S. degree from Saint Mary’s College of California in 2012 and her M.S. degree in Clinical Psychology from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University in 2016. She completed both the LGBTQ and the Diversity and Community Mental Health Areas of Emphasis at PAU. She previously served as the Vice President of Academic Affairs for PAU’s Ph.D. Student Council from 2014-2015. Her clinical interests include working with college students, grief, trauma, sexual orientation, gender identity, identity development and transition, and group therapy. She completed clinical practica at the Gronowski Center's Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic, the County of Monterey’s Behavioral Health Division (Transition Age Youth program), San Jose State’s Counseling and Psychological Services, and Santa Rosa Junior College. She completed her pre-doctoral internship serving college students at Colorado State University's Health Network. Her research interests include issues related to identity development, coming out, mental health, suicide risk, resiliency, pregnancy, and parenting within trans and non-binary populations. Her dissertation focused on the experiences of parents with trans and non-binary gender identities, particularly exploring issues related to pregnancy within these populations. Genevieve is currently working as a licensed psychologist at a private practice in Washington, D.C.
Molly Brennan, Ph.D.
Pronouns: She,her,hers
Molly Brennan completed her degree in 2010 in the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology. She received a B.A. in English Literature from Gettysburg College in 2000 with minors in French and Studio Art. In 2009, she completed her M.A. in Psychology at San Diego State University with a focus in psychophysiology. After working as a research associate for the Child and Adolescent Services Research division of Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego, Molly began the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program at Palo Alto University and is currently completing dual Areas of Emphasis in Diversity and Community Mental health and LGBTQ psychology. Her research interests focus on underserved populations, stigma-based stress, and social connectedness. Throughout her research efforts, she has presented research from the Rainbow Women’s Health Survey and the Women’s Health Update Study. Her dissertation research focuses on examining chronic exposure to sexual minority stress and quality of social support among LGBQ adults living with a serious mental illness. Molly’s areas of professional interest are cultural diversity and mental health treatment, trauma psychology, and serious mental illness. She completed clinical practica at the Gronowski Center’s Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic, Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System, Prevention and Recovery in Early Psychosis of San Mateo County, and the Men’s Trauma Recovery Program at the Menlo Park Division of the VA Palo Alto Health Care System where she worked with Veterans receiving residential treatment for PTSD. She recently completed her predoctoral internship at the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System.
Janna E. Holmes, Ph.D.
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Dr. Janna Holmes is a graduate of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). She received a B.A. in Psychology from Arkansas Tech University in 2011 with a minor in Sociology, an M.S. in General Psychology from Arkansas Tech University in 2013, and an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University in 2016. She also completed the Forensic and LGBTQ Areas of Emphasis at PAU. Dr. Holmes served as the PAU Chapter Vice-President of the Psi Chi International Honor Society, Vice-President of PAU’s Psychology Honor Society, and Secretary of the Psychological Association of Gender Expression and Sexuality (PAGES) while a student at PAU. Her clinical and research interests include forensic populations, LGBTQ individuals in forensic populations, severe mental illness, and neuropsychological and forensic evaluations. While at PAU, she completed clinical practica at the Gronowski Center’s Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic in Los Altos, the Bridges criminal justice program at HealthRight 360 (formerly Walden House) in San Francisco, San Quentin State Prison, the Neuropsychological Assessment Services at the VA Palo Alto Health Care Systems (VAPAHCS) and the Memory Clinic at the VAPAHCS. Dr. Holmes’s dissertation research involved gender cultural sensitivity in violence risk assessment. More specifically, examining gender differences in the violence risk factors of impulsivity and anger between cisgender and transgender populations. She completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at the Colorado Mental Health Institute – Pueblo (CMHIP), a forensic state hospital. She is currently employed as a psychologist candidate at CMHIP where she is completing her postdoctoral hours.
Victor Rios, Ph.D.
Pronouns: He/him/his
Victor is a 2020 graduate of the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). He was in the LGBTQ and the Diversity and Community Mental Health Areas of Emphasis at PAU. He served as Vice President for PAU's Psychological Association for Gender Expression and Sexuality (PAGES). He received a B.A. degree in Psychology from New York University in 2011 and a M.S. degree in Clinical Psychology from the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University in 2017. His clinical interests include working with historically underprivileged and underserved populations, youth, and families. Victor also provides bilingual therapy. He completed clinical practica at the Gronowski Center's Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic (SGIC), the Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC) – Latinx Track, Kaiser Oakland – Child and Family Psychiatry Department, and the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital - 5150/Consultation Liaison Services. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at Mount Sinai, Saint Luke's: Child Track. He recently completed his post-doctoral fellowship at Mt. Sinai, Morningside as the DBT/High Risk Fellow. His research interests include intersectionality and LGBTQ well-being and health. He worked on the Men's Online Research on Psychological Health (MOPRH) dataset. His dissertation research focused on transmasculine sexual health and race/ethnicity.
Itzel Anaya, M.S.
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Itzel is a 6th-year in the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). She received a B.A. in Psychology and minor in Women's Studies from Chapman University in Orange County, CA in 2014. and an M.S. in Clinical Psychology at PAU in 2018. She is in the Diversity and Community Mental Health and the LGBTQ Areas of Emphasis at PAU. Itzel served as the Vice President of PAU's Student Council and as President of the Psychological Association of Gender Expression and Sexuality (PAGES). Itzel's research interests include the experiences of sexual minority people of color. Itzel's dissertation focuses on identifying resilience factors that help promote positive mental health outcomes and well-being in Latinx LGBTQ individuals. Her clinical interest is in working with underserved and marginalized communities. Itzel is particularly interested in working with immigrants who have experienced trauma. Itzel has completed clinical practica at the Gronowski Center's specialty clinic, La Clinica Latina, San Jose Job Corps, the San Francisco VA, and Kaiser Permanente, Vallejo. She is currently on internship at the Downtown Los Angeles VA.
Kenneth Dowling, M.S.
Pronouns: He/him/his
Kenneth Dowling is a 6th-year student and PhD candidate in clinical psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). A San Francisco Bay Area native, he received a B.A. in International Studies and Religious Studies from UC San Diego, then worked for his hometown Congresswoman Jackie Speier on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, where highlights included working on LGBTQ-related legislation and organizing a congressional briefing on LGBTQ family acceptance and youth suicide prevention. In 2018 he earned his MS in Clinical Psychology from PAU, and in 2020 he defended his dissertation on the relationship of sexual minority men's religious identity with internalized homophobia, substance abuse, and sexual risk behavior. In addition to LGBTQ psychology, Kenneth is interested in mental health for populations who are male-identified, university students, neurodiverse, religious/spiritual, or substance-dependent. His past clinical practica include the Gronowski Center's Sexual & Gender Identities Clinic, the Institute on Aging in San Francisco, and counseling services at Notre Dame de Namur University and Santa Clara University. He is currently completing his APA-accredited pre-doctoral internship at the University of Iowa Counseling Service, and will soon start his post-doctoral hours at Wellman Psychology & Associates in Chicago, IL.
Briahna Yuodsnukis, M.S.
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Briahna Yuodsnukis, PhD, is a psychology fellow in the Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. She is receiving specialized clinical training providing clinical care for transgender and gender diverse youth and young adults as well as for youth and young adults with differences in sex development through Lurie Children’s Gender & Sex Development Program, a multidisciplinary team designed to support the physical and psychosocial health of children and adolescents. She is also a part of several research projects related to psychosocial development in youth and young adults with gender diverse identities and those with differences in sex development. Her clinical training has focused on providing evidence-based treatment for trauma-related disorders, disordered eating, and mood disorders primarily in diverse populations. Her research interests include understanding minority stress, gender-specific psychosocial considerations, and sexual health in transgender and gender diverse individuals. Dr. Yuodsnukis received her BS (2015) in psychology and criminal justice from Sam Houston State University. She received her MS (2019) and PhD (2021) in clinical psychology with an emphasis in LGBTQ+ psychology from Palo Alto University. She completed her doctoral internship (2021) at the Medical College of Georgia/Charlie Norwood VA – Trauma Track.
Kyle P. Jones, M.S.
Pronouns: He/him/his
Dr. Kyle P. Jones is a clinical psychology postdoctoral fellow affiliated with Feeling Good Institute, in Mountain View, California. He is receiving advanced training in Exposure and Response Prevention for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. He continues his clinical work providing high quality CBT and affirmative LGBTQ+ mental health care. Kyle received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology, with a minor in French language, from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2011. He received his MS (2018) and his PhD (2022) in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University, with an emphasis in LGBTQ+ psychology. He completed his predoctoral psychology internship at the VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System. His dissertation research focused on LGBTQ cultural competency among psychologists delivering mental health services in private practice.
Rel Friedman, M.A., M.Ed., M.S.
Pronouns: She, her, hers and they, them, their
Ariel (Rel) Friedman is a 4th-year candidate in the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). She received a B.A. degree in Psychology from Clark University in 2014 and an M.A., and M.Ed. degree in Counseling Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2017. She is in the LGBTQ Area of Emphasis at PAU. She previously served as the Vice President for the Psychological Association of Gender Expression and Sexuality (PAGES) at PAU. Rel’s research interests include risk and resiliency factors in plurisexual populations, kink/BDSM, sexual shame, and nonmonogamy. Ariel previously completed practicum placements at the Gronowski Center’s Sexual and Gender identities Clinic (SGIC), and The Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC). Rel is currently completing a practicum placement at Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco’s Addiction Medicine and Recovery Services department. Rel is also currently completing a supplemental practicum placement at Stanford Medicine’s Center for Interdisciplinary Brain Sciences.
Jonathan Clinkenbeard, M.S.
Pronouns: He/him/his
Jonathan Clinkenbeard is a 5th-year student in the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University. He received his B.A. in Psychology from California State University San Bernardino in 2013. Additionally, he received his M.S. in Experimental Psychology from Central Washington University in 2016. He is in the LGBTQ Area of Emphasis at PAU. He is the past president of PAU’s Psychological Association of Gender Expression and Sexuality (PAGES). His clinical interests include community mental health with sexual and gender minorities. He has previously worked as an adjunct professor at Chaffey College and most recently at Notre De Namur University. He has completed practicum training at the Gronowski Center's Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic and LifeMoves. He is currently placed at UCSF Alliance Health Project. His research interests include exploring LGBTQ+ risk and resiliency factors, LGBTQ+ community connectedness and support, and acceptance of diversity.
Vinisha Rana, M.S., M.A.
Pronouns: She/her/hers
Vinisha Rana is a 6th-year student in the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University. She received her B.S. in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience (BCN) from University of Michigan in 2013. She received her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with an emphasis in children and families from Andrews University in 2016. Additionally, she received her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from PAU in 2019. Vinisha is in the Trauma Area of Emphasis and the LGBTQ Area of Emphasis at PAU. She served as the Ph.D. Student Council President for two years from 2017 to 2019. She is currently serving as a research consultant for Adolescent Counseling Services through CLEAR and as a project coordinator for the LGBTQ+ Clinical Academy. Her clinical interests include providing care to youth and families who are dealing with sexual orientation, gender identity, and/or ethnic minority related distress. She completed her master's internship at the OutCenter, Southwest Michigan's LGBTQ+ resource center, and the Buchanan, Michigan school district. She completed practicums at the Gronowski Center's Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic, Community Health Awareness Council (CHAC) and the inpatient ambulatory track at Santa Clara Valley Medical Hospital. She is currently completing a supplemental telehealth and assessment practicum at Santa Clara Valley Medical Hospital. Her research interests include exploring LGBTQ+ youth risk and resiliency factors and school interventions that increase inclusivity and the acceptance of diversity.
Dottie Gill, M.S.
Pronouns: They/them/theirs and she/her/hers
Dottie Gill is a 6th-year student in the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). They received a B.A. in Individualized Major and minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies from New York University (NYU) in 2016. Their individualized major focused on the impact of childhood trauma on identity formation, resiliency, and mental health in adolescence and adulthood. They received their M.S. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University in 2019. They are in the LGBTQ+ and the Mindfulness and Meditation Areas of Emphasis at PAU. Dottie previously served as president of PAU’s Psychological Association of Gender Expression and Sexuality. Dottie’s clinical interests include third-wave behavioral therapies (ACT, DBT, CFT, FAP), taking an anti-diet culture and anti-fatphobia perspective, and working with LGBTQ+ adults. In August 2021 Dottie will begin their year-long doctoral internship at the University of Washington counseling center in Seattle, Washington. Dottie will complete an advanced practicum at Mills College located in Oakland, California in May 2021. Prior to that they completed a clinical practicum at the San Francisco VA Hospital's General Psychiatric Outpatient Services center. They have also completed clinical practica at the Gronowski Center’s Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic and at the Inner Resources Center where they facilitated 8-week mindfulness interventions. They also completed a practicum at LifeMoves where they provided psychotherapy services to homeless adults and children. Their dissertation examines the potential moderating role of trait mindfulness on the relationship between stressors and mental health in plurisexual (eg. bisexual, pansexual, queer, etc) individuals.
Arielle Webb, M.S.
Pronouns: They, them, theirs
Arielle Webb is an advanced student in the Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University (PAU). They received a B.A. degree in Psychology with Honors with an emphasis in Women's Studies from Mills College in 2003. They received an M.S. degree in Clinical Psychology from Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University in 2016. They are in the Diversity and Community Mental Health and the LGBTQ Areas of Emphasis at PAU. They served as Student Advisor with the Ph.D. Academic Advising Center (PAAC) and President of PAU's Psychological Association for Gender Expression and Sexuality (PAGES). Their clinical interests include individuals with SMI, individuals diagnosed with personality disorders, transition-age youth, LGBTQQI individuals and, more specifically trans and non-binary individuals. They completed clinical practica at the Gronowski Center's Sexual and Gender Identities Clinic, the YMCA West Contra Costa's Y-Team Mental Health Program, Alta Mira Recovery, Treasure Island's Job Corps, the San Francisco VA's Psychosocial Rehab Program, and worked as a Psychological Assistant at La Familia Counseling's Trauma Recovery Center. They are currently completing a pre-doctoral internship at the VA Pacific Islands Healthcare System. They recently accepted a position as a post-doctoral resident at La Familia Counseling in Hayward, CA. Their research interests include gender identity, transgender psychology, and non-binary identities. Their dissertation research focuses on mental health, minority stress, and resiliency among individuals with non-binary gender identities.