Leighna N. Harrison, M.S.

Academic Affiliation
Pacific Graduate School of Psychology
Palo Alto University
1791 Arastradero Road
Palo Alto, CA 94304

EDUCATION
2009 Present

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University

Palo Alto, CA
Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology (expected 2015)
Advisor: Leonard Beckum, Ph.D.

2002 2006

University of California, Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, Culture Studies with a minor in Latin American Studies
Universidade Catlica do Salvador
Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
Semester Abroad, Philosophy and Brazilian Studies

LANGUAGES
Spanish

Advanced speaking, reading & writing

Portuguese

Intermediate speaking, reading & writing

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
07/13 Present Predoctoral Psychology Intern, Veterans Affairs Caribbean Healthcare System
San Juan, Puerto Rico
VA Medical Center predoctoral internship program treating a veteran population.
Rotations include: Outpatient Mental Health; Psychological Assessment Unit;
Returning Veterans Outreach, Education, and Care Program; and Sexual Health
Clinic. Clinical responsibilities: provide bilingual long-term and short-term
individual cognitive-behavioral therapy to mainly Spanish-speaking veterans;
provide solution-focused couples therapy, co-lead psychoeducation groups and
group therapy; act as a consultant responding to referrals for psychological
assessments seeking diagnostic and personality functioning clarification and
treatment recommendations; administer psychological assessments, including the
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (EIWA-III, Spanish version), MMPI-2, MCMI,
Rorschach Inkblot Test, Thematic Apperception Test; write integrated reports;
participate in multidisciplinary case consultation; engage in community outreach to
veterans recently returned from combat; provide case presentations on psychological
assessment cases; provide presentations in journal club with psychiatry residents;
participate in individual and group supervision. Didactic training activities include:
psychological assessment and consultation seminar, psychotherapy seminar, family
therapy seminar, diversity seminar, ethics and professional issues module, advanced
clinical techniques and practice seminar, and supervision module.
Training Director: Rafael Cancio-Gonzalez, Ph.D.

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08/13 06/14

Student Therapist, Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System

Menlo Park, CA
VA-based 90-day residential treatment program for veterans with substance use
disorders and dual diagnoses. Clinical responsibilities: provided individual
cognitive-behavioral therapy and case management; co-led classes and group
therapy; facilitated occasional staff meetings; completed risk assessments and
developed safety plans; administered brief psychological screens, including the
Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Mini-Mental Status Exam; worked with a
multidisciplinary team of psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, recreation therapists,
and paraprofessional addiction counselors; participated in program evaluation and
improvement.
Supervisor: Timothy Ramsey, Ph.D.

08/13 06/14

Student Therapist, Community Health Awareness Council

Mountain View, CA
Community mental health clinic servicing adults, adolescents, children, and families.
Clinical responsibilities: provided individual cognitive-behavioral therapy in
Spanish with monolingual Spanish-speaking clients; utilized projective techniques in
working with child and adolescent clients (e.g. sand drawing, house-tree-figure);
completed risk assessments and developed safety plans; participated in individual
and group supervision in Spanish; received didactic training.
Supervisor: Elisabet Revilla, Ph.D.

09/11 03/12;
01/13 11/13

Student Therapist, Santa Clara Valley Health and Hospital System

San Jose, CA
Hospital-based outpatient, community mental health, and inpatient clinics servicing
adult and older adult African Americans, Caucasians, Asian Americans, and Latinos.
Clinical responsibilities: conducted individual cognitive-behavioral therapy in
English and Spanish; co-led group psychotherapy; administered neuropsychological
and psychological assessments in English and Spanish, including the RBANS,
WASI, PAI, BSI, Trails A&B, and COGNISTAT Subtests; conducted assessment
feedback sessions to discuss evaluation results and treatment recommendations;
provided milieu therapy and psychoeducation to migrant farm workers as part of a
mobile clinic; participated in grand rounds; worked with a multidisciplinary team of
primary care physicians, psychiatrists, nurses, marriage and family therapists, and
licensed clinical social workers.
Supervisors: Ginny Estupinian, Ph.D. & Charles Preston, Ph.D.

04/12 12/12

Student Therapist, Fundacin Aigl

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Private outpatient clinic servicing Argentinean children, adolescents, and adults.
Conducted individual cognitive-behavioral co-therapy in Spanish; observed live
intake interviews through one-way mirror and close-feed camera loop; received
didactic training; participated in supervision groups for adult, child and family
therapists; assisted in clinical and support work at local hospitals, specifically in the
palliative care and neonatal units.
Supervisor: Edith Vega, Ph.D.

Leighna N. Harrison
Leighna N. Harrison

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09/10 06/11

Student Therapist, The Gronowski Center: A Community Clinic for

Psychological Services
Palo Alto University, Los Altos, CA
University-based community outpatient clinic servicing children, adolescents,
families, and adults. Provided cognitive-behavioral therapy with individual adult and
couples clients; conducted semi-structured telephone and in-person intake
interviews; administered psychological screening assessments; completed risk
assessments and developed safety plans; received supervision of video review of
clinical interactions; participated in case conferences.
Supervisor: Jennifer McCollum, Ph.D.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
09/10 06/14

Dissertation: An Analysis of the Cultural Assessment of Risk for Suicide with

African American Adults
This study utilized a recently developed measure, the Cultural Assessment of Risk
for Suicide (CARS; Chu et al., 2013), to investigate cultural variations of suicidal
behavior in suicidal vs. non-suicidal African Americans. Results of the study
showed that two out of the four CARS factors accurately differentiated between
suicidal and non-suicidal African Americans.
Proposal Defended: September 19, 2013
Final Defense: June 12, 2014
Chair: Leonard Beckum, Ph.D.
Committee Members: Joyce Chu, Ph.D. and Alinne Barrera, Ph.D.

09/10 06/14

Research Assistant, Multicultural Suicide Research Center

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA
Research project involving the development of an online database for culturally-based
suicide risk and protective factors. Duties: generated a comprehensive literature
review on suicide in the African American population; recruited participants; collected
data; analyzed data using SPSS.
Principal Investigator: Joyce Chu, Ph.D.

9/10 05/13

Research Assistant, Trauma, Dissociation & PTSD Research Group

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA
Research project validating the psychometric properties of the Race-Related Events
Scale (RES, Waelde et. al., 2010). Duties: recruited participants; facilitated online
and in-person data collection; managed subject pool; analyzed data using SPSS.
Principal Investigator: Lynn Waelde, Ph.D.

06/12 01/13

Research Assistant, OCD: Narratives of the International Intrusive Thoughts

Interview Schedule, Research Consortium on Internal Fears (RCIF), Latin
American Group
Fundacin Aigl, Buenos Aires, Argentina
International research study investigating thematic differences in intrusive thoughts.
Duties: translated Argentinean participant narratives from Spanish to English.
Principal Investigator: Fernando Garcia, Ph.D.

Leighna N. Harrison
Leighna N. Harrison

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09/10 03/12

Research Assistant, Meditation & Psychotherapy Research Group

Stanford University; Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto
University, Palo Alto, CA
NIH-funded research project investigating hypnotic trance and mindfulness
meditation through functional MRI brain scans at the Stanford University School of
Medicine. Duties: administered consent forms; administered and scored the
Hypnotic Induction Profile and neuropsychological batteries (Wisconsin Card Sort,
Delis-Kaplan Trail Making Test, and Conners Continuous Performance Test);
assisted in screening and scanning subjects for fMRI analyses.
Principal Investigator: Lynn Waelde, Ph.D.

PRESENTATIONS
Prado Abril, J., Harrison, L.N., Sanchez Reales, S., Cabellero Palaez, C., Ben-Bouchta, S., & Garcia
Campayo, J. (July, 2013). Relationship between clinical severity and dysfunctional beliefs in
obsessive-compulsive disorder. Presented at the 7th World Congress of Behavioral and
Cognitive Therapies, Lima, Peru.
Prado Abril, J., Garcia Campayo, J., & Harrison, L.N. (July, 2013) Effectiveness of cognitiveinterpersonal therapy in personality disorders: two single cases analyzed. Presented at the 7th
World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Lima, Peru.
Delorefice, A.R., Pan, I.C., Gruen, J., Harrison, L.N., Fett, A., & Waelde, L.C. (February, 2013).
Gender moderates ethnic differences in exposure to race-related events. Presented at the 3rd
Cross Cultural Health Care Conference, Honolulu, HI.
Pan, I.C., Delorefice, A.R., Harrison, L.N., Gruen J., & Waelde, L.C. (November, 2011). Ethnic
differences in exposure to race-related stressors. Poster presented at the 27th Annual Meeting of
the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, Baltimore, MD.
Waelde, L.C., Pan, I.C., Delorefice, A.R., Gruen, J., & Harrison, L.N. (November, 2011). Perceptions
of racist environment and race-related PTSD. In B. Ghafoori (Chair) Racism, psychological
distress, and treatment seeking in racially and ethnically diverse trauma survivors. Symposium
conducted at the 27th Annual Meeting of the International Society of Traumatic Stress Studies,
Baltimore, MD.
Harrison, L.N., Chu. J., Bongar, B., & Goldblum, P. (October, 2011). Minority stress and ethnic group
differences in assessing risk for suicide. Poster presented at the Canadian Association for
Suicide Prevention 2011 Conference: New Conversations on Suicidality, Vancouver, Canada.
Harrison, L.N., Chu. J., Bongar, B., & Goldblum, P. (August, 2011). A culturally relevant assessment
of risk factors for suicide in an African American adult population. Poster presented at the 119th
Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D.C.
Borgueta, A.M., Hall, M., & Harrison, L.N. (April, 2011). Pathways to identity in multiracial
individuals. Panel presented at Deconstructing Diversity in the Bay Area, Santa Clara, CA.
Harrison, L.N. (December, 2006). Here inside: the life of a Brazilian domestic worker. Documentary
film presented at Culture in Motion, The New School, New York, NY.
Harrison, L.N. (November, 2006). Here inside: the life of a Brazilian domestic worker. Documentary
film presented at the Pacific Coast Conference on Latin American Studies, CSU-Dominguez
Hills, Carson, CA.
Leighna N. Harrison
Leighna N. Harrison

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SPECIALIZED TRAINING
09/14 12/14

Family Therapy Training

VA Caribbean Healthcare System, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Family therapy seminar aimed at promoting the importance of familial contexts
when providing therapeutic interventions and promoting health. Training included:
didactic lectures, and direct clinical treatment of a couples client with a co-therapist
psychiatry resident. Competency areas: systems theory, solution-focused family
therapy theory and techniques, and the importance of social and cultural contexts.
Director: Rosa Ramirez-Mella, Ph.D.

09/10 06/14

Academic Emphasis in Diversity and Community Mental Health

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA
Doctoral curriculum designed to educate students in the provision of psychological
services within the public mental health sector. Competency areas: theories and
models of community mental health; philosophies of wellness, recovery, and
consultation; vulnerable minority populations; cultural competence; mental health
disparities; discrimination and stigma reduction; organizational, economic,
advocacy, and policy issues; program evaluation; organizational research.
Director: Joyce Chu, Ph.D.

06/13 06/13

The Essentials of Motivational Interviewing & Harnessing Your Clients

Energy and Drive to Promote Change
CMI Education Institute, San Francisco, CA
Two-day seminar focusing on the fundamentals of motivational interviewing.
Competency areas: theory and basic principles of Motivational Interviewing (MI);
client-centered counseling skills; the integration of MI with other clinical
approaches.
Facilitator: Raymond Tafrate, Ph.D.

07/11 08/11

Spanish Language and Cultural Immersion Program

Alliant University, Mexico City, Mexico
Four-week immersion training in working with international and multicultural
populations. Activities: Spanish courses tailored to topics in psychology for mental
health workers; site visits to local clinics; dialogue on applying systems theory to
local and global settings; engagement with indigenous healers and alternative
healing practices; home-stay with local Mexican family.
Director: Jason Platt, Ph.D.

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
08/14 Present Member-at-Large, Diversity Focus
American Psychological Association of Graduate Students, Washington, D.C.
02/13 07/13

Event Coordinator, Simposio Tapas y Vino: A discussion on the advancement of

Palo Alto Universitys Internet-based interventions in Latin America
The 7th World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies, Lima, Peru

2009 2011

Newsletter Editor, Dialogues: The Newspaper for the Students of Ethnic and
Cultural Awareness
Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA
Leighna N. Harrison
Leighna N. Harrison

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SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, AND HONORS
2011

Diversity and Community Mental Health Scholarship of the Mental Health

Services Act Prop 63, $20,772
Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA

2011

Students for Ethnic and Cultural Awareness APA Travel Award

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology at Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA

2006

Undergraduate Deans Honors List: Six quarters

University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2010 Present

American Psychological Association, Student Affiliate Member

Division 9: Psychological Study of Social Issues, Student Affiliate Member
Division 38: Health Psychology, Student Affiliate Member
Division 45: Ethnic Minority Issues, Student Affiliate Member

2013 Present

The Association of Black Psychologists, Student Affiliate Member

2013 Present

National Latino Psychological Association, Student Affiliate Member

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
11/13 11/13

Learning Partner Program to Cuba, American Psychological Association

Havana, Cuba
Participant in APA-sponsored learning trip to Cuba focused on the Cuban health
care system. Activities: meetings with representatives from the Ministry of Public
Health to discuss health psychology in the Cuban system; visits to community-based
primary care and behavioral health care clinics; engagement with mental health
professionals involved in post-graduate work and community-based research.
Trip Leader: Suzanne Bennett Johnson, Ph.D., Past APA President

WORK EXPERIENCE
03/13 07/13

Research Consultant, Catalyst Resources

San Mateo, CA
User interface design company for mission critical software applications. Duties:
optimized software usability via human behavior research on issues of disaster
response and psychological reactions to fear and distress.
Supervisor: Paul Giurata, Managing Partner & Lead Solution Architect

Leighna N. Harrison
Leighna N. Harrison

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APPENDIX: ASSESSMENT EXPERIENCE

Name of Test
Beck Depression Inventory II
Beck Anxiety Inventory
Brief Symptom Inventory
Center for Epidemiologic Studies
Depression Scale
COGNISTAT
Conners Continuous Performance Test
D-KEFS Trail Making Test
Dissociative Experiences Scale
Geriatric Depression Scale
Hopkins Adult Reading Test
Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP)
Migrant Farmworker Stress Inventory
Mini-International Neuropsychiatric
Interview
Mini-Mental Status Exam
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality
Inventory Restructured Form-2RF
Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III
Montreal Cognitive Assessment
Outcome Questionnaire 45.2
Personality Assessment Inventory
Personality Assessment Screener
PTSD Checklist Military Version
Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of
Neuropsychological Status
Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of
Neuropsychological Status Spanish
Rorschach Inkblot Test
Tellegen Absorption Scale
Thematic Apperception Test
Toronto Mindfulness Scale
Trail Making Test A&B
Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (Spanish
Version) III
White Bear Suppression Inventory
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test Computer

Total Integrated Assessment Reports:

# Administered
64
10
4

# Reports Written
with Measure
6
0
4

# Administered as Part
of Research Project
0
0
0

13

5
0
0
0
1
1
0
7

5
0
0
0
1
1
0
0

0
13
13
13
0
0
13
0

3
3
82
3
1
10

3
0
5
3
1
0

0
0
0
0
0
0

2
0
1
0
6
4

2
0
1
0
6
4

13
0
13
0
4

0
0

0
0

13
13

10

Leighna N. Harrison
Leighna N. Harrison