National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Behavioral Health Program Psychologist. University of Texas, Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
Developed behavioral and cognitive health assessment services for former Astronauts and Payload Specialists. The purpose of this work is to support the optimal behavioral and cognitive health of former Astronauts by conducting annual evaluations for early identification of symptoms and providing clinical resources, like referrals, for the adequate treatment and management of findings.
Conducts annual clinical interviews to establish baseline level of functioning with former Astronauts. Periodic Neuropsychological assessments are completed to monitor changes in cognition. Research is conducted to establish prevalence of behavioral and cognitive symptoms in this cohort of former Astronauts. The exploratory results will be used to develop countermeasures to support Astronauts during NASA’s future long duration space missions.
Telehealth services to manage clinic closure and travel cancellation related to the 2020 pandemic.
This position relates to the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-10), sections 441-443 which is also referred to as To Research, Evaluate, And Treat (TREAT) Astronaut Act. 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1241.
Occupational Medicine: Human Reliability Program (HRP). Consolidated Nuclear Security, LLC. Pantex Plant, Amarillo Texas.
Operational Psychologist for the Human Reliability Program, title 10, Code of Federal Regulations, part 712 (10 CFR 712). Responsible for a workforce consisting of more than 3,000 employees participating in the HRP program and requiring annual, if not more frequent, assessment. Part of a multidisciplinary medical group including physicians and nurses. Conducted pre-employment screening of Protective Force (PF) personnel. Also, initial Psychological Evaluations, including MMPI-2, for employees required to have HRP certification for their work duties. HRP maintenance consisted of annual psychological evaluations for recertification, containing triennial MMPI-2-RF assessment, and consultation as needed. Referrals for Employee Assistance Program and community resources, including substance use treatment are made as needed.
Pre-employment evaluations for PF personnel consisted of semi-structured clinical interviews to determine current and history of psychiatric diagnosis, treatment and hospitalizations that could become a risk for safety or security (e.g., impulse control issues such as substance use disorders).
Initial and annual psychological interviews for HRP certification and recertification included initial and triennial MMPI-2 psychological assessments, initial Mental Health Status Examination and Psychosocial measures, among others. The HRP certification process aid in identifying employees experiencing an elevated level of stress, stressors, or clinical symptoms that could compromise their ability to be effective at supporting the company’s mission. The goal of identifying employees experiencing high stress or symptomatology was to make referrals for services and ascertain adequate interventions.
Additionally, employees identified with mental health concerns were followed up and evaluated to determine adequacy for re-entry into an HRP job assignment. Consultations were self-referrals and other-personnel referrals (e.g., supervisors, physicians) for concerns that could impact employee’s reliability such as changes in behavior or medication’s side effects (e.g., drowsiness).
VA Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation Recovery Treatment Program, San Diego California
Leading Psychologist in 29-bed residential clinic providing evidenced-based individual and group services, including lectures, for substance use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other comorbidities. SARRTP is an accredited facility (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities; CARF) consisting of a 28-day comprehensive rehabilitation program to improve on patients’ drug refusal and interpersonal skills, stress management, healthy habits (e.g., nutrition, sleep), and to ascertain need and appropriateness for additional psychological services.
Administrative responsibilities include program evaluation, development, and implementation of services. For instance, developed and implemented DBT Skills Lectures in response to growing demand for PTSD services and need to increase patient’s emotional regulation for enhancing their chances of PTSD treatment completion which increases substance abstinence. Developed second PTSD track curriculum to serve Veterans suffering with non-combat PTSD integrating concepts from Cognitive Processing Therapy and/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with the flexibility of open enrollment to mimic SARRTP patient admission flow. Co-leader with Clinic Director of weekly Clinical Team Meeting to provide oversight of clinical staff’s case management, treatment plans, discharges, case presentations for higher level of care, community referrals and resources. Consultant for nation-wide training of evidenced based psychotherapy (i.e., CBT) for substance use disorders. Leadership Team member that meets weekly to discuss ways to meet clinical demands, and hiring needs and resources.
Supervisory responsibilities include clinical training and supervision of services of psychology practicum and intern, and co-facilitator of weekly didactic seminar on addiction topics for psychology practicum students, interns, and postdoctoral fellows. Research supervisor to medical resident leading to publication. Member of multidisciplinary clinical team (i.e., psychiatrist, nurse, addictions therapist, social worker, and psychologist) that meets daily (5x/week) for rounds to discuss patient updates, including emerging medical and psychological needs, treatment and discharge planning.
Lectures provided include: Distress Tolerance, Emotion Regulation, and Interpersonal Effectiveness using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) skills, relaxation techniques and interpersonal communication skills.
Individual services consist of a) medical chart review, intake evaluations including comprehensive psychological testing, behavioral observations, and self-report measures; b) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) for substance use and comorbidities; and c) Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD: childhood, military sexual, interpersonal, and combat trauma).
Group services are intensive CBT for PTSD (modified open enrollment CPT protocol) meeting 3 times per week for 90 minutes to provide psychoeducation on common reactions to trauma, and on cognitions and behaviors that maintain symptoms. Skills provided include Cognitive Restructuring leading to changing beliefs affected by the Trauma (e.g., Safety and Trust).
Dual-diagnosis treatment services are provided on an individual basis and tailored to the patient’s specific needs (e.g., Depression/Grief and SUD).
UCSD Neuropsychology Hillcrest Clinic and VA Hospital San Diego
Neuropsychological experience includes WASI, WAIS-IV, WIAT, WMS-IV, DKEFS, CVLT-II (i.e., intelligence, achievement, executive function, and memory measures) among others. Assessment needs are determined on an individual basis (e.g., Traumatic Brain Injury) with the purpose to inform treatment needs (e.g., modified protocols to ensure skill acquisition). Personality assessment experience includes MMPI-2 and PAI.