Neuropsychologist Cognitive Dysfunction Expert Witness

Summary of Qualifications

I am a clinical neuropsychologist with extensive experience diagnosing and treating neurobehavioral conditions in adults and children. Board certified in the specialty of neuropsychology, I conduct neurocognitive testing to assist in diagnosing brain disorders, learning problems, and neurodevelopmental conditions. Approximately 75% of my practice is clinical and 25% medical-legal consultation. I have served as a retained expert for many cases involving brain injury and emotional trauma. I also conduct IMEs for insurance carriers to evaluate disability claims and for employers to evaluate fitness for duty.

Services are offered to defendants and plaintiffs in civil litigation:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Psychosomatic disorders
• Depression and anxiety disorders
• Dementia and capacity

Opinions are based on comprehensive knowledge of the subject, up-to-date methodology and current research. Counsel can rely on timely response, excellent communication and prompt report preparation.

Areas of Specialization

• Neuropsychological testing
• Expert witness testimony in personal injury litigation
• Fitness-for-duty and disability evaluations
• Psychotherapy with children, adolescents, and adults

Current Appointments

Assistant Clinical Professor
At a UC

President
Neuropsychology Forum

Consulting Neuropsychologist to:

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Kaiser Permanente Medical Centers
Acalanes Union High School District
Mt. Diablo Unified School District
John Muir Medical Group

Education

1984, Postdoctoral Fellow, Division of Behavioral Pediatrics, UCSF Medical Center, San Francisco.
1983, Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, California School of Professional Psychology,
Berkeley, CA.  (APA approved)
1979, M.S., Clinical Psychology, San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA.
(APA approved) Cum Laude
1975, B.A., Psychology, Johnston College, University of Redlands, Redlands, CA.

Licenses and Certifications

Diplomate in Clinical Neuropsychology, American Board of Professional Psychology, 1999
National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology, 1986
Psychologist, 1985

Professional Experience

1983 – Present
Independent Practice
Walnut Creek, CA.

Neuropsychological assessment of adults, adolescents and children, including adults with traumatic brain injury, stroke, dementia, and psychiatric disorder, and children with neurodevelopmental disorders, learning disorders, ADHD and cancer. Psychotherapy with individuals and families (adult and pediatric).  Conduct independent medical examinations with personal injury litigants and disability claimants.  Consultant in neuropsychology to Kaiser-Permanente Medical Centers, John Muir Physician Network, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.  Current appointment as Assistant Clinical Professor, University of California, Berkeley.

1992-1994
Consulting Neuropsychologist.  Los Medanos Community Hospital, Pittsburg, CA.
Provided consultation to physicians and interdisciplinary professional staff on an 18-bed rehab-ilitation floor in an acute care community hospital.  Conducted neuropsychological exam–in-ations, psycho – therapy, and behavioral medicine consultation. Population included adults with traumatic brain injury, CVA, anoxia, orthopedic impairment, multiple sclerosis and brain tumors.

1991-1992
Coordinator, Anger Communication Treatment Track.  Oak Grove Hospital, Concord, CA.    Designed and implemented new treatment track for psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents with significant deficits in control of anger.  Developed screening protocol, group therapy program and milieu therapy program.  Provided in-service training to clinical staff.  Directed group therapy sessions for patients in the track.

1990-1992
Consulting Neuropsychologist.  Golden State Rehabilitation Hospital, San Ramon, CA.
Provided consultation to interdisciplinary professional staff in 80-bed acute care hospital serving brain-injured and physically disabled adults and children with traumatic brain injury, CVA, anoxia, MS and brain tumors.  Conducted neuro-psychological examinations, psycho–therapy, and behavioral medicine consultation.  Supervised two postdoctoral fellows.

1988-1991
Director of Training in Child and Adolescent Psychology.
CPC Walnut Creek Hospital, Walnut Creek, CA.
Created and co-directed training program (APPIC listed) for pre- and postdoctoral psychology interns in the largest psychiatric hospital in the Bay Area Provided clinical consultation to managers and nursing staff of 40-bed inpatient programs for adolescents and children.  Assisted program planning.  Treated adolescent in patients with serious deficiencies in self-control of anger. Designed and presented continuing education workshops for professionals in the community.

1986-1988
Consulting Neuropsychologist. Mount Diablo Rehabilitation Center, Pleasant Hill, CA.
Provided consultation to interdisciplinary professional staff at post-acute outpatient center (CORF accredited) serving brain-injured and physically disabled adults and children. Conducted neuropsychological assessments, sup-portive psychotherapy and group counseling.  Population included individuals with trau-matic brain injury, CVA, Alzheimer’s disease, and children with cerebral palsy and severe learning disabilities.

1984-1989
Clinical Director (1985-88). Family Services of Contra Costa, Walnut Creek, CA. Managed and directed clinical activities of 30 licensed psycho-therapists in four outpatient offices serving ethnically and diagnostically diverse population. Responsible for program planning, staff development, and hiring decisions.

Director of Training (1985-1989). Directed clinical training program for doctoral psychology and social work interns from the California School of Professional Psychology and UC Berkeley.

Clinical Supervisor (1984-1985). Responsible for general administration, supervision, and program development for one office of 10 psychotherapists.

1984
Consultant in Neuropsychology.  Neuropsychology Laboratory, Psychology Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Martinez, CA. Conducted neuropsychological assessments of VA inpatients and outpatients.  Assisted research on new neuro-psychological  test instruments.  Worked closely with Dr. Dean Delis and Dr. Joel Kramer.

1981-1983
Intake Coordinator.  Psychiatry Clinic, Kaiser-Permanente Medical Center, Vallejo, CA.
Conducted telephone intake screening, crisis intervention and triage disposition of new clinic patients.

1979-1984
Senior Counselor. YMCA Youth Development Program, Oakland, CA.
Individual, group and family psychotherapy with status-offender adolescents within outpatient and 30-day residential programs.  Clinical supervision of interns.

Clinical Training

1983-1984
Postdoctoral Fellow in Clinical Psychology.  Adolescent Medicine Division and the Division of Behavioral Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
Trained in an interdisciplinary program providing health care to adolescents (11 to 21 yrs).  Performed psychological and neuropsychological assessments of youth with learning disorders, brain tumors, CF, renal failure and developmental disorders. Provided individual and family therapy.  Provided consultation to medical staff and school personnel.  Taught medical residents and fellows.

1982-1983
Psychology Intern.  Psychiatry Clinics, Kaiser-Permanente Medical Centers.

1981-1982
Received training in the psychology internship programs in San Francisco, Vallejo and Walnut Creek,

1978-1979
for one year each.  Conducted individual, marital and family therapy with adult and child outpatients. Conducted hospital consults and neuropsychological assessments.

1977-1978
Psychology Trainee.  Veterans Administration Medical Center, San Francisco.
Conducted psychological and neuropsychological assessments of adults.

1977-1978
Psychology Intern.  Richmond Area Multi-Services (RAMS), San Francisco, CA.
Conducted individual therapy with adults in this community mental health clinic.

Teaching and Research Experience

2009-Present
Assistant Clinical Professor.  Department of Psychology at a UC.
Provide training to doctoral psychology students in clinical assessment.

1998-1999
Expert Faculty.  Hastings College of the Law, University of California, San Francisco.  College of Advocacy Program Personal Injury Litigation Institute.  Provided training to attorneys.

1988-1998
Consultant. Gave workshops and lectures to nearly all school psychologists and counselors in Mt. Diablo Unified School District, San Ramon School District, and other local school districts. Training topics included suicidality, depression, borderline personality disorders and principles of anger management. Led monthly clinical case conference for school psychologists.

1985-1987
Faculty.  Graduate School of Professional Psychology, John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, CA.
Taught graduate psychology courses on psychotherapy, research methods.

1984-1986
Clinical Supervisor.  Graduate School of Professional Psychology, John F. Kennedy University, Orinda, CA.  Supervised the clinical work of 5 interns per quarter in the Child and Adolescent program.

1983-1984
Research Specialist.  Institute of Human Development, University of California, Berkeley.
Assisted research in a longitudinal project examining different parenting styles.

1983
Dissertation.  California School of Professional Psychology, Berkeley, CA.
“Protective factors contributing to resilience in children at high risk for psychological disorder.”

1981-1983
Teaching and Research Assistant.  California School of Professional Psychology, Berkeley, CA.
Assisted the Director of Research in conducting seminars on dissertation research.

1979-80
Assistant Field Supervisor.  National Institute for Advanced Studies, Washington, D.C.
Assisted in supervising 10 researchers on a project commissioned by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development examining effects of displacement from a San Francisco inner-city neighborhood.

1979
Master’s Thesis.
San Francisco State University, San Francisco, CA. “A psychophysiological comparison of verbal and imaginal modes of word association in their efficacy in arousing affect.”

Professional Affiliations

American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology
National Academy of Neuropsychology
American Psychological Association (Divisions 12 & 40)
California Psychological Association
Northern California Neuropsychology Forum (President 2010-2011)
Contra Costa Psychological Association
President 1994, 1995, 1996
Past President 1997-1998
Hospital Practice Chair 1989-1994

Honors

Illinois State Scholar 1970-72
National Institute of Mental Health Training Award 1977-78
Helen Marvine Scholar 1978-79
Research Grant Recipient, Three Swallows Foundation 1983
Meritorious Dissertation Award, California School of Professional Psychology 1983
Society of Pediatric Psychology Research Award 1986
Award for Outstanding Contributions, Contra Costa Psychological Association 2001

Selected Presentations and Publications

Available Upon Request