Alba L. Donovan, Ph.D. CV

Alba L. Donovan, Ph.D.
E: albadonovan.phd@gmail.com
T: (805)602-7229

Credentials Menu:

Licensure

Psychologist November 2022

California Board of Psychology - #33772

Education

Palo Alto University September 2016-June 2021

Palo Alto, CA
Ph.D. Program in Clinical Psychology (APA accredited)
Emphasis: Forensic Psychology
Research Advisor and Dissertation Chair: Christopher Weaver, Ph.D.

Palo Alto University September 2016-June 2019

Palo Alto, CA
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology

University of California, Berkeley August 2010-August 2012

Berkeley, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Cuesta College August 2006-May 2010

San Luis Obispo, CA
Associate Degree in General Studies

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Other Languages

Spanish - native fluency speaking, reading, and writing

Clinical Experience

California Men’s Colony – State Prison August 2023-Present

California Department of Corrections
San Luis Obispo, California
Psychologist
Supervisor: Chisholm, S., Psy.D.

  • Provide psychological service (individual therapy, group therapy, and case management) for inmate-patients with serious mental illness
  • Conduct suicide risk assessments based on clinical necessity and provide appropriate recommendations
  • Collaborate with interdisciplinary team (psychiatry, medical staff, recreational therapists) and lead IDTT (Interdisciplinary Treatment Team) meetings
  • Facilitate a variety of groups (trauma, coping skills, substance abuse, etc.) for patients/incarcerated persons
  • Provide clinical and assessment supervisions for pre and post-doctoral level trainees
  • Provided direct services in English and Spanish

Patton State Hospital September 2021-Agust 2022

Forensic Psychiatric Hospital
Patton, California
Forensic Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow
Supervisor: Sean Evans, Ph.D.; Elba Campos, Psy.D.; David Glassmire, Ph.D., ABPP

  • Conducted evaluations of forensically involved patients, focusing on referral questions related to competency to stand trial, violence risk, and response style
  • Utilized several forensic assessment and forensically relevant instruments (e.g., PCL-R, HCR-20, and SIRS-2)
  • Authored comprehensive evaluation reports
  • Provided long-term individual therapy for patients with serious mental illness and sex offenses, primarily utilizing Psychodynamic and Humanistic theoretical orientations
  • Co-facilitated a sex offender processing group
  • Consulted with interdisciplinary treatment teams regarding patients to provide integrative care
  • Participated in weekly didactic seminars on advanced forensics and landmark case law
  • Provided direct services in English and Spanish

Patton State Hospital September 2020-August 2021

Forensic Psychiatric Hospital
Patton, California
Clinical Psychology Pre-Doctoral Intern
Supervisor: Allison Pate, Ph.D., ABPP; Felix Sanchez, Psy.D.; David Glassmire, Ph.D., ABPP

  • Conducted evaluations of forensically involved patients, addressing a variety of referral questions, including competency to stand trial, violence risk,response style, and psychodiagnostic clarification
  • Utilized several forensic assessment and forensically relevant instruments (e.g., the MacCAT-CA, M-FAST, ILK, and TOMM)
  • Authored comprehensive evaluation reports
  • Provided long-term individual therapy for patients with serious mental illness, primarily utilizing Psychodynamic and Humanistic theoretical orientations
  • Co-facilitated a Spanish cognitive remediation group
  • Consulted with interdisciplinary treatment teams regarding patients to provide integrative care
  • Participated in weekly didactic seminars on forensic assessment, treatment, and professional development within forensic psychology
  • Provided direct services in English and Spanish

Youth Services Center (YSC) July 2019-May 2020

San Mateo County Juvenile Detention Center<
San Mateo, California<
Student Therapist & Evaluator<
Supervisor: Bruce Bess, Ph.D.; David McIntyre, Ph.D.

  • Provided individual therapy for detained youth, primarily utilizing CBT and Motivational Interviewing theoretical orientations
  • Conducted integrated court-mandated evaluations (Rorschach, PAI-A, PCL-YV, D-KEFS) and created comprehensive dispositional reports
  • Conducted intake and suicide assessments, as well as crisis intervention during weekly “on duty” shift
  • Collaborated with medical, probation, and other mental health staff to provide integrative treatment to youth
  • Provided direct services in English and Spanish

Maguire Correctional Facility September 2018-July 2019

Adult Forensic Mental Health
Redwood City, California
Student Therapist
Supervisor: Shivika Dharamrup, Psy.D.

  • Provided individual and group (up to 13 members) therapy for inmates (ages 21-70) with serious mental illness and a history of administrative segregation
  • Utilized integrated theoretical orientations throughout treatment including CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety
  • Conducted intake assessment, crisis intervention, and suicide assessment for inmates in administrative segregation and in the Behavioral Health Program (BHP)
  • Collaborated with medical, custody, and other mental health staff to provide integrative treatment to inmates and to provide psychiatric medication referrals
  • Created and monitored behavior management plans for inmates in the BHP
  • Provided direct services in English and Spanish

HOPE Program July 2018-July 2019

Community-Based Sex Offender Treatment
Stockton, California
Student Therapist & Evaluator
Supervisor: Cristina Loree, Psy.D.

  • Conducted court-mandated sex offender treatment using the Containment Model (Treatment, Supervision, Polygraph)
  • Conducted individual and group (up to 11 members) therapy for sex offenders (ages 23-91) with diagnoses including personality disorders, anxiety, depression, substance use
  • Conducted integrated evaluations (LS/CMI, STABLE, PAI, SOTIPS, MMPI, ABLE) and wrote comprehensive reports
  • Developed treatment plans based upon integrated theoretical orientations including CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety
  • Conducted case management, including collaboration with parole agents and other California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) staff
  • Coordinated and reviewed polygraph examinations
  • Received video and live supervision
  • Provided all direct services in English and Spanish

Gronowski Center at Palo Alto University June 2017-June 2018

Outpatient University Training Clinic
Los Altos, California
Specialty Clinic: Clinica Latina
Student Therapist
Supervisor: Martha Hernandez, Ph.D.

  • Conducted individual therapy for an ethnically and SES diverse population (ages 15-60) with diagnoses including PTSD, personality disorders, anxiety, depression, substance use
  • Conducted risk consults and implemented and reported the recommendations
  • Conducted intake assessments (MoCA, OQ-45, DASS, BAS, PAS) and wrote integrative reports
  • Administered and reported psychodiagnostic assessments (OQ-45 and DASS) 1x per week for each client
  • Developed treatment plans based upon integrated theoretical orientations including (CBT, Motivational Interviewing, Seeking Safety)
  • Received video supervision
  • Conducted case management, including form translations for clients
  • Provided all direct services in English and Spanish

San Luis Obispo County Mental Health – Youth Services August 2013-August 2016

County’s Community Mental Health Clinic
San Luis Obispo, California
Rehabilitation Specialist – Full-Service Partnership Program
Supervisors: Jill Rietjens, LMFT; Susan Harney, LCSW

  • Provided intensive community based mental health services to youth ages 7-25 with serious mental illness and complex trauma
  • Provided mental health services in forensic and in-patient settings on a regular basis contingent on clients’ locations and needs
  • Implemented evidence-based interventions to reduce maladaptive behaviors and improve quality of daily living
  • Consulted with LMFT regarding mutual clients; collaborated with LMFT to develop treatment plans for mutual clients
  • Participated in bimonthly consultation meetings regarding challenging cases
  • Attended clients’ medical and psychiatric evaluations
  • Provided all direct services in English and Spanish

Family Care Network September 2012-August 2013

Non-Profit Community-Based Organization
San Luis Obispo, California
Behavioral Counselor
Supervisor: Monique Nelson, LMFT

  • Provided behavioral counseling to youth of ages ranging from 3-17 years old
  • Provided CBT based interventions to redirect behaviors and prevent inappropriate behavioral responses
  • Provided behavioral interventions to improve client social functioning and daily living quality
  • Trained caregivers to improve their ability to manage client behaviors and promote stability
  • Participated in child and family treatment team meetings
  • Provided all direct services in English and Spanish

La Clinica Casa Del Sol August 2011-June 2012

Community Mental Health Clinic
Oakland, California
BA Undergraduate Intern
Supervisor: Cecilia Guillermo, LCSW

  • Conducted case management for over forty clients ages ranging from 13-60 with a variety of diagnoses
  • Conducted, transcribed, and translated interviews with clients for research project regarding mental health and traditional medicine from Spanish to English
  • Co-lead domestic violence support group for adolescents
  • Participated in weekly case conferences, staff meetings, and supervision meetings to improve program function and therapy treatments
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Clinical Certifications

California Sex Offender Management Board (CASOMB) July 2018-July 2020
Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) July 2018-July 2020
STABLE-2007 (Sex offender risk assessment instrument) July 2018-July 2020
STATIC-99R (Sex offender risk assessment instrument)

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Research Experience

Adult Forensic Research Lab, Palo Alto University July 2017-August 2021 Lab Member
Faculty Advisor: Christopher Weaver, Ph.D.

  • Major lab projects include the validation of a PTSD malingering assessment tool and the Police Study, which focuses on training law enforcement personal to recognize and manage mental health related situations
  • Collaborated with group members collecting and entering data for a PTSD malingering measure
  • Collaborated with group members in the PTSD malingering measure translation to Spanish and validation
  • Participated in data management

Youth in Action Research Project September 2013-January 2016
Volunteer Research Assistant
Supervisor: Lisa Sweatt, Ph.D., California Polytechnic University

  • Evaluated the effectiveness of a behavior modification program, for at-risk youth, implemented by the San Luis Obispo County’s Department of Probation
  • Conducted youths’ behavioral pre and post program assessments; transcribed verbal interviews conducted during assessments
  • Coded and entered data into computer database for further evaluation
  • Collaborated with research team members writing a project abstract and poster presentation proposal to present at the annual conventions of the Western Psychological Association

Bakari Mentorship Program March 2013-July 2013
Volunteer Research Assistant
Supervisor: Roslyn Caldwell, Ph.D., California Polytechnic University

  • Study evaluating the effectiveness of a court mandated behavior modification program for adolescents on probation
  • Participated in the administration and evaluation of a numbers of assessments (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Massachusetts Youth Screening Assessment/MAYSI-2, Adolescent Anger Rating Scale/AARS, Aggression Questionnaire/AQ, Multi-group Ethnic Identity Measure/MEIM and Coping Response Inventory/CRI-Y) intended to measure anger, coping capacity, aggression, self-esteem, etc.
  • Entered data into the computer database for further analysis

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Publications

Donovan, A. L., Gutierrez, R., Roy, S., & Glassmire, D. M. (in press). Behavioral interpretations. In M. Houck (Ed.), In Encyclopedia of forensic Sciences (3rd ed.). Elsevier. 

Gutierrez, R., Donovan, A. L., Roy, S., & Glassmire, D. M. (in press). Forensic psychology. In M. Houck (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciences (3rd ed.). Elsevier.

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Presentations

Sweatt, L. I., Arroyo, P. I., Fan, C., Taniyama, S., & Tapia, A. (2015). Evaluating the effectiveness of a program for at-risk youth. Poster presented at the 2015 annual convention of the Western Psychological Association. Las Vegas, NV.

Donovan, A., & Weaver, C. (2018). Differences in response style in detecting malingered PTSD within Spanish-speaking subgroups. Symposium presented at the Annual American Psychological Association Conference, San Francisco, CA.

Giordano, B., Donovan, A., Mok, C., & Weaver, C. (2018). Police officer improvement in mental health awareness outcomes: Evaluating a video training method. Poster presented at the 2018 Annual American Psychological Association Conference, San Francisco, CA.

Palacios, M. P., Donovan, A. (2018). Breaking down barriers to mental health treatment: Increasing growth and resilience within Latinx communities. Symposium presented at the 2018 Annual National Latino/a Psychological Association Conference, San Diego, CA.

Donovan, A., Giordano, B., Vazquez, M. C., Barrera, A., Lugo, A., & Weaver, M., C. (2019). An In-Person and Online Sample Comparison of Reporting Patterns Related to Exaggerated PTSD. Poster presented at the 2019 American Psychology-Law Society 2019 Annual Conference, Portland, OR.

Giordano, B. L., Donovan, A., Cha, Y., Uyeda, N., Zadonowicz, T., & Weaver, C. (2019). Identifying Predictors of Police Participation Compliance in a National Mental Health Initiative. Poster presented at the American Psychology-Law Society 2019 Annual Conference, Portland, OR.

Donovan, A. L. (2021). Exploring the Impact of Region of Origin and Trauma Type in Detecting Malingered PTSD in a Spanish Speaking Group (Doctoral dissertation, Palo Alto University).

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Teaching Experience

Assessment of Personality & Psychopathology, Graduate Level Course January-April 2020 &
Teaching Assistant January-April 2019
Professor: Yan Leykin, Ph.D., Associate Professor

  • Held weekly lab lectures to review and build on lecture material, focusing on report interpretation and writing
  • Graded assessment reports and other homework assignments
  • Held weekly office hours and availability through email to support students with class material

Assessment of Personality & Psychopathology, Graduate Level Course March 2020
Invited Lecturer
Professor: Sarah Borish, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor

  • Developed and presented a lecture to graduate students about the use of projective tests (i.e., the Rorschach) in integrated evaluations

Psychopathology & Psychodiagnosis, Graduate Level Course August-December 2018 &
Teaching Assistant August 2017-April 2018
Professor: Samantha Kountz-Edwards, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor

  • Graded homework materials, including psychodiagnostic vignettes
  • Prepared students for psychodiagnostic interviews
  • Facilitated and graded psychodiagnostic interviews
  • Collaborated with the professor in the administration of tests and quizzes
  • Held weekly office hours and availability through email to support students with class material

Psychopathology & Psychodiagnosis, Graduate Level Course December 2018 &
Invited Lecturer December 2017
Professor: Kountz-Edwards, Ph.D., Adjunct Professor

  • Presented a lecture to graduate students about the identification and diagnosis of Sexual Dysfunctions, Gender Dysphoria, and Paraphilic Disorders

San Luis Obispo Community High School, Correctional School June 2011-August 2011
San Luis Obispo, California
Teaching Assistant/Mentor

  • Assisted teacher with administrative work such as grading, organizing work, and giving quizzes
  • Supervised approximately 20 students ranging from 14-18 years of age with a wide range of behavioral and substance abuse issues
  • Supported and guided students academically and socially with issues like probation, confusion regarding continuing their education, drugs abuse, and rehabilitation
  • Collaborated with staff discussing daily outcomes to improve the support and guidance given to students

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Professional Affiliations

American Psychological Association (APA) June 2017-August 2024
Graduate Student Affiliate
APA – Division 41, American Psychology – Law Society June 2017-Present
Graduate Student Affiliate

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Academic Honors and Awards

Palo Alto University Fellowship Award September 2016-May 2019
Dean’s List, University of California Berkeley December 2010-August 2012
Hispanic Scholarship Fund, Academic Excellence Award May 2009
Alpha Gamma Sigma, Academic Excellence Award June 2009
Dean’s List, Cuesta College December 2007-May 2010

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Academic Leadership

Forensic Mental Health Ph.D. Student Group July 2017-June 2018
Public Relations Officer
Psi Chi, International Honor Society in Psychology March 2011-Present
Permanent member
Cuesta College Student Ambassador August 2008-May 2010
Student Ambassador
Alpha Gamma Sigma, Honor Society January 2007-Present
Vice President/Publicity Director/Permanent member

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Relevant Experience

SHINE Mentorship Program August 2010-May 2011

Oakland, California
Mentor

  • Provided academic and social support to at-risk teens
  • Held weekly meetings with mentee to problem solve around issues in student’s life
  • Attended monthly workshops with mentee to prepare them for college
  • Attended weekly supervision/staff consultation meetings to discuss mentees’ progress

Dida/Pro-Brazil June 2009-August 2009

Researcher/Volunteer
Supervisor: Jennifer Jones

  • Conducted interviews with students and staff of a school for adolescent girls and young women who had been victims of/at risk of being victims of sex trafficking and prostitution develop skills to become self-sufficient
  • Translated interviews from Portuguese to English to write grant proposal for the school
  • Taught English and Spanish, helping students to increase their vocabulary and improve their grammar

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References

David Glassmire, Ph.D., ABPP
Psychology Training Director
Department of Psychology
Patton State Hospital
3102 E. Highland Avenue, Patton, CA 92369
david.glassmire@dsh.ca.gov
(909) 672-1430

Sean Evans, Ph.D.
Senior Supervisor
Department of Psychology
Patton State Hospital
3102 E. Highland Avenue, Patton, CA 92369
sean.evans@dsh.ca.gov
(916) 805-7936

Jette Warka, Ph.D. Chief
Department of Psychology
Patton State Hospital
3102 E. Highland Avenue, Patton, CA 92369
jette.warka@dsh.ca.gov
(909) 672-1460

David McIntyre, Ph.D.
Supervising Psychologist
Youth Services Center Forensic Team
YSC–San Mateo County Juvenile Detention Center
222 Paul Scannell Drive, San Mateo, CA 94402
djmcintyre@smcgov.org
(650) 583-1260

Christopher Weaver,
Associate Professor
Director, Forensic Psychology Program
Ph.D. Palo Alto University
1791 Arastradero Rd., Palo Alto, CA 94304
cweaver@paloaltou.edu
(650) 433- 3858

Yan Leykin, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Palo Alto University
1791 Arastradero Rd., Palo Alto, CA 9430
yleykin@paloaltou.edu
(650) 417-2017

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