Mani Seroa
Antioch,CA
Summary
Experienced mental health professional specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy and crisis intervention. Enhances client outcomes through individualized treatment planning and interdisciplinary collaboration. Expertise in trauma-informed care and resilience-building in diverse populations, driving effective mental health support.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Beginning Practicum Trainee
Auburn Davis DBT Center
Davis
08.2025 - Current
- Provide comprehensive Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) to children, adolescents, and adults presenting with severe suicidal ideation, self-harm behaviors, Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders (including social anxiety), ADHD, OCD, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD).
- Conducted DSM-5-TR diagnostic assessments and differential diagnosis under supervision, integrating structured clinical interviews, behavioral observations, and standardized symptom measures to ensure accurate clarification of mood, trauma-related, personality, and behavioral disorders.
- Managed active caseload of 5 individual therapy clients, 6 parent coaching/family therapy cases, and co-facilitated 4 DBT skills groups (adult, parent, child/adolescent, and young adult tracks), enhancing therapeutic support across diverse client needs.
- Conduct structured intake interviews, suicide risk assessments, and ongoing safety plan evaluations; develop and update individualized safety plans while providing crisis intervention and stabilization planning.
- Administer and interpret standardized measures (PHQ-9, GAD-7, DASS-21, C-SSRS) to inform diagnostic formulation, treatment planning, and progress monitoring within a measurement-based care model.
- Facilitated emotional processing, distress tolerance, mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, and Walking the Middle Path skill development with families, improving relational patterns and promoting adaptive behavioral strategies.
- Utilize integrative, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive case formulation—drawing from psychodynamic, attachment, and cognitive-behavioral frameworks within DBT to address maladaptive defense mechanisms, trauma-related schemas, relational patterns, and emotional dysregulation.
- Collaborate with Child Protective Services (CPS), attend wraparound meetings, and coordinate care for high-risk, system-involved clients.
- Lead team meetings utilizing structured DBT consultation agendas and facilitate case presentations to maintain treatment fidelity and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration.
Ethnographic Placement
Man 2 Man Non-Profit
Oakland
11.2024 - Current
- Conduct ethnographic observations examining behavioral change processes, trauma exposure, and barriers to reintegration.
- Observed group-based interventions targeting criminogenic risk factors, enhancing participant understanding of impulsivity, emotion dysregulation, conflict resolution, and accountability.
- Facilitated structured interactions with justice-involved individuals, promoting behavioral change and skill development within the program.
- Analyze participant engagement metrics to inform evidence-based diversion programming aimed at reducing recidivism and improving long-term psychosocial functioning.
- Provide structured feedback on intake assessments to strengthen data-focused evaluation of participant risk profiles and program effectiveness.
Mental Health Peer Ambassador
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara
06.2020 - 07.2022
- Facilitated virtual meditation and peer support sessions to enhance mental well-being, equip peers to navigate stress, and guide access to mental health resources during social distancing.
- Developed and distributed materials on COVID-19-safe mental health practices, providing strategies for managing anxiety, accessing remote counseling, and implementing self-care.
- Facilitated campus tours for prospective students and their families.
- Assisted in organizing events and workshops for student engagement.
- Collaborated with university staff to enhance peer support programs.
Event Coordinator
Peer Buddies
Isla Vista, USA
07.2020 - 06.2022
- Engaged campers in teaching and reinforcing social skills through interactive group activities and one-on-one mentoring, fostering empathy, communication, and teamwork.
- Collaborated with camp leaders to design and implement creative problem-solving exercises and conflict resolution scenarios, improving campers' skills in managing interpersonal conflicts.
- Coordinated logistics for community events and workshops for individuals with disabilities.
- Managed vendor relationships to secure services and materials for events.
- Developed event timelines and schedules to ensure smooth execution of activities.
Education
PsyD - Clinical Psychology
National University
Pleasant Hill10.2024
B.S - Psychological and Brain Sciences
University of California
Santa Barbara06.2022
A.S - Economics
Diablo Valley College
Los Medanos College06.2020
Skills
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- DSM-5-TR diagnostic interviewing and differential diagnosis
- Psychological assessment integration and report writing (under supervision)
- Suicide, self-harm, and violence risk assessment
- Crisis intervention, stabilization, and safety planning
- Trauma-informed and culturally responsive care
- Ethical decision making and risk management in high-acuity settings
- Behavioral chain and solution analysis
- Parent coaching and family-based interventions
- Skills development and skills generalization (emotion regulation, distress tolerance, interpersonal effectiveness)
- Individual, family, and group psychotherapy
- Treatment planning, progress monitoring, and clinical documentation
- Experience with justice involved populations and institutional treatment settings
- Interdisciplinary collaboration and consultation within multidisciplinary teams
- Quantitative research methods
- Statistical analysis (regression, ANOVA, multivariate techniques)
Research
Research Proposal – University of California, Santa Barbara
Supervisor: Dr. Vanessa Woods, PhD | 04/2021 – 07/2021
- Conducted a meta-analysis on mindfulness training and group conformity.
- Developed a neurocognitive research proposal examining prefrontal regulation, ACC conflict monitoring, and amygdala reactivity underlying cognitive control.
Data Analysis Project – University of California, Santa Barbara
06/2021 – 09/2021
- Applied advanced statistical methods (regression, ANOVA, multivariate analysis) to behavioral datasets.
- Built and interpreted statistical models examining self-efficacy, motivation, and executive functioning.
Neuro Research Presentation – University of California, Santa Barbara
04/2022 – 07/2022
- Examined neurocognitive determinants of self-efficacy using behavioral and quantitative methods (N = 173).
- Synthesized findings using models of prefrontal control, dopaminergic reinforcement, and feedback processing.
Field Research Study – Neuro – University of California, Santa Barbara
04/2022 – 07/2022
- Authored a research paper investigating neurocognitive mechanisms of self-efficacy, including executive control and reward sensitivity.
- Presented results within a neurocognitive framework emphasizing PFC–ACC circuitry and motivation-related neural processes.
Affiliations
- National Academy of Neuropsychology
- SPSSI
- Society of Undergraduate Psychologists
- Society of Asian Scientist and Engineers
- Student Council National University
Projects And Leadership
President, Panel to the People, Harvard, Santa Barbara, CA, 06/01/20, 06/01/22, Assembled and led a diverse team., Drove the expansion of our network.
Languages
- English
- Punjabi
- Hindi
Volunteer Experience
- Research Volunteer, University of California, Santa Barbara, 06/01/20, 07/01/22, Engaged in pre-study and post-study interviews or surveys., Collaborated with research teams to troubleshoot and refine study methodologies.
- Berryessa Village Food Pantry, UCSB Associated Student Food Bank, Goleta, CA, 09/01/20, 07/01/22, Conducted outreach and education on mental health and food security., Fostered a compassionate and inclusive community.
- Volunteer Fitness Trainer, CVCHS Athletics Club, Clayton, CA, 09/01/16, 05/01/18, Facilitated group sessions., Provided free fitness training sessions.
Awards
- University Full Scholarship
- Dean’s Honors List (2018–2026)
- UCSB Research Finalist
- Hackathon Challenge Award
- Startup Incubator Award Recipient
- Community Service Award
- Hero of the Month
- #1 Solve Rate in Western Market (49%, SP100 – Asurion)
Timeline
Beginning Practicum Trainee
Auburn Davis DBT Center
08.2025 - Current
Ethnographic Placement
Man 2 Man Non-Profit
11.2024 - Current
Event Coordinator
Peer Buddies
07.2020 - 06.2022
Mental Health Peer Ambassador
University of California, Santa Barbara
06.2020 - 07.2022
PsyD - Clinical Psychology
National University
B.S - Psychological and Brain Sciences
University of California
A.S - Economics
Diablo Valley College