ALYSON MADIGAN
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Licensed Clinical Staff Psychologist
ATASCADERO STATE HOSPITAL
Atascadero, CA
03.2015 - 02.2023
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist at locked Forensic Psychiatric facility providing treatment to severely mentally ill patients with Forensic commitment (PC 1370, PC2684, PC1024, OMD)
- Working on a Medical unit as a part of a Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Team
- Provides individual therapy to patients and leads treatment groups (Brain Fitness, Social Skills, Music, Aggression Reduction, Yoga, Mental Health Wellness, CBT, DBT, Substance Abuse, CBI, provides psycho education and coping skills on managing anxiety, depression, pain, and mental illness symptoms (psychosis)
- Focus on the importance of psychotropic medication compliance, rapport, safety, reality-testing, and use of coping skills
- Creates individualized patient Treatment plans, interventions, Behavior Plans
- Addresses behavioral issues (SIR's) and completes risk assessments (Suicide/Self-Harm-CSSR-S) and Violence (START, V-Risk)
- Provides therapy (music, sensory, visual, art) for lower cognitive functioning patients, including some with neurocognitive disorders (Alzheimer's Disease, dementia, TBI, and strokes)
- Conducts cognitive screeners (MoCa) and refers patients, presenting with memory deficits, for comprehensive Neuropsychological assessments, as needed
- Supports patients going through Chemotherapy, managing chronic illness/pain management, end of life care/hospice care (Life Review, conflict resolution, Music therapy), and Grief Therapy
- Teaches PC1370 patient (Incompetent to stand trial) legal information, their legal charges, 5 Pleas, Plea Bargain, Courtroom participants, possible punishment, and ways to work with their attorney in a rational manner in their defense
- Completes detailed background reports and intake assessment reports (APA's) for patients directly admitted to Medical unit-case formulation, diagnosis, and recommended therapy recommendations and interventions
- Conducts assessments: MoCa,WRAT, PCLR training/assessment Malingering Assessments
- Presented on Alzheimer's Disease-prevalence, contributing factors, symptoms, treatment, and interventions
- Strength-based clinician with Trauma informed care focus
- Clinician provides therapy to patients in- Spanish
- Unit 1 Medical Treatment Team: Dr
- Veronica Quezada, MD, Dr
- Willard Towle, MD
- Clinical Supervisor: Pilar Gonzales, PhD
- Chief of Psychology: Matt Hennessy, PsyD.
Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow
INSTITUTE ON AGING
San Francisco, CA
09.2015 - 03.2015
- Clinician provides in-home behavioral health services (psychological assessment, individual psychotherapy, and crisis management) to home-bound elders
- Clinician works in collaboration with a team of Psychologists, Primary Care Doctors, Psychiatrists, and Social Workers
- Clinician is partaking in a clinical research study led by IOA and UCSF Geriatrics Division-collecting data to assess the efficacy of the in-home treatment of depression in isolated, late-life adults
- Provides therapy and activities in a day treatment facility for patients with Neurocognitive disorders
- Clinician will teach didactics on Neurocognitive Disorders-Alzheimer's DiseaseCaregiver support to first year Psychology Doctoral students working on IOA's Friendship Line
- Clinician provides therapy in Spanish to several clients
- Supervisor: Carolyn Stead, PsyD
- Clinic Director: Carolyn Stead, PsyD.
Pre-Doctoral Psychology Intern
AGE SONG
San Francisco, CA
07.2013 - 07.2014
- Student Therapist providing Existential/ Humanistic Psychotherapy, group therapy, case management, and crises intervention to older adults; many with various forms of dementia (Alzheimer's and Lewy Body types)
- Clinician used music and art therapy interventions with clients
- Clinician supported residents in creating Life Review and Words of Wisdom books to help support memory, validate life meaning, regret resolution, and to create a sense of generativity
- Clinician worked collaboratively with psychiatrists, medical doctors, nurses, and social workers, along with family members/caregivers to provide resources and emotional support
- Clinician provided therapy in Spanish to several clients
- Supervisors: Galia Schechter, PsyD, Elizabeth Reid, PhD, Lani Chow, PhD
- Clinic Director: Galia Schechter, PsyD.
Psychology Trainee
ANN MARTIN CENTER
Piedmont, CA
09.2011 - 09.2012
- Student Therapist providing Psychotherapy, case management, and crises intervention to multi-culturally diverse children, adolescents, and family members with complex trauma histories, abuse, and mental illness
- Clinician worked collaterally with parents, families, teachers, Psychiatrists, and therapists
- Administration, scoring, and interpretation of Cognitive, Psychological and Neuropsychological Assessments (WISC, WAIS-IV, MMPI-2, MPACI, Rorschach, TAT, Trailmaking A & B, Rey Osterrieth Complex Figure Drawing)
- Clinician prepared detailed assessment reports and presented results and recommendations to parents and clients
- Supervisors: Kristen Carey, PsyD, & Frank Davis, PsyD
- Clinic Director: Laurie Lober, MSW.
Graduate Student Therapist/Third Year Practicum Training
PERALTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Oakland, CA
09.2010 - 07.2011
- Student Therapist providing individual and group Psychotherapy to multiculturally diverse elementary school children in urban area facing trauma, poverty, behavioral, social, and learning challenges
- Use of ARC model, fostering resilience through, Attunement, Regulation, and Competency, Play Therapy, Narrative Therapy, and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- Clinician provided parental/familial support and emotional support to teachers
- Supervisors: Candis Cousins, PhD, Charlotte Tilson, PsyD
- Clinic Director: Crystal Johnson, PsyD, Naheed Sheikh, PsyD.
Graduate Student Therapist/Second Year Practicum Training
INSTITUTE ON AGING
San Francisco, CA
08.2009 - 08.2010
- Student Therapist providing Psychotherapy to elderly, home-bound individuals (ages 65-90 years) diagnosed with Axis 1 and Axis II Disorders; health-related issues and cognitive impairment due to Dementia
- Use of Integrative therapeutic approaches, including CBT, DBT, and Mindfulness (using, Guided Imagery, meditation, and gentle seated yogic postures), Supportive/Insight-based psychotherapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and Life Review
- Familiarity with the administration of the following cognitive assessments: the RBANS, Clock Drawing Test, and the Mini-Mental Status Exam, and frequent administration of the following assessment tools: Geriatric Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory II, Beck Anxiety Inventory, and Lawton's Morale Scale
- Frequent consultations with IOA's staff Psychiatrist to discuss medication options for clients
- Supervisor & Clinic Director: Tom Ciciarelli, PsyD
- Group Supervisor: Janet Meiselman, PsyD.
Graduate Student Therapist/ First Year Practicum Training
PHOENIX CENTER/ANKA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Concord, CA
02.2009 - 08.2009
- Student Therapist at this outpatient/day treatment facility for ethnically diverse adults, from low SES backgrounds, with chronic and persistent mental illness (including Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder)
- Many clients were duallydiagnosed with substance abuse disorder, P.T.S.D., and Axis II disorders
- Provided individual, group, and milieu therapy, following the Recovery Model
- Clinician provided individual therapy to clients focusing on the following areas: psychoeducation, teaching clients coping strategies, problem-solving techniques, social skills, anger management, stress management, Mindfulness Meditation, Guided Imagery, and relaxation techniques
- Clinician led several groups including daily community meeting and process groups, using psycho education addressing biological components of Mental Illness, the importance of Medication Compliance and sleep hygiene, health, nutrition, and wellness, Clinician led yoga and art therapy groups
- Supervisor: Emily Diamond, PsyD
- Clinic Director: Wayne Thurston, PhD.
Graduate Student Therapist/ First Year Practicum Training
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AUTISM INTERVENTION
Oakland, CA
08.2008 - 02.2009
- Student Therapist for ethnically diverse toddlers, from low/middle SES backgrounds, with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, using a combination of play, behavioral, sensory processing, and speech and language communication therapy
- Therapeutic approaches include psychodynamic, DIR-Floor Time Model, developmental/relationship-based and applied behavioral analysis models
- Children's goals include the following: Social and emotional, cognitive learning readiness skills, communication, sensory-motor, and self-help skills
- Supervisor: Eileen Lee, PhD
- Clinic Director: Mimi Lou, PhD.
Telephone Crises Counselor
DIDI HIRSCH SUICIDE PREVENTION CENTER
Culver City, CA
07.2007 - 08.2008
- Assessed suicidality and provided therapeutic support and resources to callers struggling with mental illness: (Major Depression, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Anorexia Nervosa/Bulimia, Substance Abuse, Borderline Personality Disorder), physical abuse, trauma, loneliness/isolation, depression, grief/loss, poverty, and substance abuse
- Supervisor: Barbara Hornichter
- Clinic Director: Kita Curry, PhD.
Creative Executive to Motion Picture Film Producer
FRELAINE/PARAMOUNT STUDIOS
Los Angeles, CA
03.2005 - 03.2007
- Read scripts and wrote coverage
- Provided detailed script notes for film projects in their various stages of development
- Searched for new writers, scripts, and ideas to develop into film projects
- Attended film screenings and premieres.
Assistant to Motion Picture Talent Agent
International Creative Management
Beverly Hills, CA
03.2004 - 03.2005
- Provided full administrative assistance to high-level talent agent; handled day-to-day business dealings and high call volume
- Tracked clients' film projects with precision and accuracy
- Able to multi-task, with precision, in high-pressure environment
- Coordinated agent's complex schedule with detail and accuracy
- Read and wrote break downs for multiple film scripts under deadline pressure.
Talent Agent
MARLA DELL TALENT AGENCY
San Francisco, CA
01.2002 - 02.2004
- Interfaced daily with advertising clients, casting directors for booking of talent, scheduling auditions and negotiating rates, scouted new talent by attending local theatre productions and talent showcases and managed the careers of 100 actors by providing them opportunities in film, television, voice-overs, industrials, commercials and print.
Assistant to Literary Agent
CURTIS BROWN LITERARY AGENCY
New York, NY
01.2000 - 12.2001
- Read literary manuscripts and wrote reader's reports with an emphasis on children's literature and young adult fiction.
3rd Grade Student Teacher in Spanish Dual-Immersion Classroom
ALVARADO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
San Francisco, CA
08.1995 - 12.1999
Kindergarten Teacher in Spanish Bilingual Classroom
OAKLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
Oakland, CA
08.1995 - 12.1999
- Planned and taught curriculum-based lessons and activities; performed multiple tasks, assessed individual learning needs of students while monitoring their academic progress and social growth
- Provided parental support and worked collaboratively with teachers and staff members.
Private English Teacher
Madrid & Seville
Spain
04.1994 - 07.1995
Education
Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology -
THE WRIGHT INSTITUTE
Berkeley, CA07.2014
Master of Arts Degree in Psychology (Honors) -
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
Los Angeles, CA08.2008
Elementary Education -
SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
SF, CA12.1999
Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature -
U.C. BERKELEY
Berkeley, CA12.1993
Skills
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist
- Individual therapy
- Treatment groups
- Psychoeducation
- Coping skills
- Treatment plans
- Interventions
- Behavior plans
- Risk assessments
- Cognitive screeners
- Neuropsychological assessments
- Chemotherapy support
- Chronic illness/pain management
- End of life care/hospice care
- Grief therapy
- Legal information
- Background reports
- Intake assessment reports
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Trauma informed care
- Spanish proficiency
Volunteer Experience
- Alzheimer's Association-TeamHope-Team Leader-Walk to End Alzheimer's, San Francisco, CA, Allison Braca
- Central Coast Hospice Training Sept.-Oct 2017, San Luis Obispo, CA, Julie Hall
Languages
Conversational Spanish fluency.
Honorsawardsaffiliations
- Graduated with distinction
- Recipient of Wright Institute Scholarship (2008-2013)
- Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology-Dean's List (2007-2008)
- Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society Member (Pepperdine University)
- Recipient of Pepperdine University Scholarship (2007-2008)
- San Francisco State University Graduate School of Education Dean's List (1997-1999)
- Recipient of Apple Education Scholarship/San Francisco State University (1997-1999)
- Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority
Other
- Certified Yoga Instructor (Yoga Alliance-200 hour teacher training program)
- Published articles in The Montclarion & Berkeley Voice newspapers.
Research
09/12 - 07/13, THE WRIGHT INSTITUTE, Berkeley, CA, Doctoral Dissertation, The Experience of Joy in Late-Life Women: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study, This research explores the physiological and psychological impacts of aging and age-related losses while focusing on strengths: coping skills, resilience, and personality stability over time., Dissertation Chair: Patricia Wood, PhD, Second Reader: Mary Lamia, PhD
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow
INSTITUTE ON AGING
09.2015 - 03.2015
Licensed Clinical Staff Psychologist
ATASCADERO STATE HOSPITAL
03.2015 - 02.2023
Pre-Doctoral Psychology Intern
AGE SONG
07.2013 - 07.2014
Psychology Trainee
ANN MARTIN CENTER
09.2011 - 09.2012
Graduate Student Therapist/Third Year Practicum Training
PERALTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
09.2010 - 07.2011
Graduate Student Therapist/Second Year Practicum Training
INSTITUTE ON AGING
08.2009 - 08.2010
Graduate Student Therapist/ First Year Practicum Training
PHOENIX CENTER/ANKA BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
02.2009 - 08.2009
Graduate Student Therapist/ First Year Practicum Training
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AUTISM INTERVENTION
08.2008 - 02.2009
Telephone Crises Counselor
DIDI HIRSCH SUICIDE PREVENTION CENTER
07.2007 - 08.2008
Creative Executive to Motion Picture Film Producer
FRELAINE/PARAMOUNT STUDIOS
03.2005 - 03.2007
Assistant to Motion Picture Talent Agent
International Creative Management
03.2004 - 03.2005
Talent Agent
MARLA DELL TALENT AGENCY
01.2002 - 02.2004
Assistant to Literary Agent
CURTIS BROWN LITERARY AGENCY
01.2000 - 12.2001
3rd Grade Student Teacher in Spanish Dual-Immersion Classroom
ALVARADO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
08.1995 - 12.1999
Kindergarten Teacher in Spanish Bilingual Classroom
OAKLAND UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
08.1995 - 12.1999
Private English Teacher
Madrid & Seville
04.1994 - 07.1995
Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology -
THE WRIGHT INSTITUTE
Master of Arts Degree in Psychology (Honors) -
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
Elementary Education -
SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature -
U.C. BERKELEY