I hope to continue work with the dually diagnosed.  I enjoy a hospital setting but would also like experience working in outpatient.  I was able to work with this population during my pre-doc and discovered that I really enjoyed working with adolescents.  I would like to continue working in the area of substance abuse. (Statement provided in 2010)

Elizabeth Chang
Fuller Graduate School of Psychology
2008 - 2009 CAPIC MHSA Stipend Recipient

My past five years of clinical experiences (two years community mental health, two years in-patient, one year school) have allowed me to encounter a fulfilling sense of optimism and hope for the needy. With the two years I devoted at the publicly funded mental health agencies, the number of kids I have witnessed served has deeply embedded within me a feeling of gratification. Through the reciprocation of the knowledge instilled within me, I want to strive forward toward a goal seemingly impossible, yet definitely achievable with hope by aiding the people of the Asian community. The burden I carry especially directed for the conflicted Asians is the path I wish to partake on in the future, by reaching out to the people of this ethnicity and helping them through their struggles, their conflicts, and their pain. If by instilling some seedling of growth into them I can make them better, then a world of difference can be made. (Statement provided in 2009)

Receiving the CAPIC MHSA Stipend Award is an incredible honor and will assist me in accomplishing my career goals. I recently completed my Pre-Doctoral Internship at A Better Way and am currently completing my Post-Doctoral Internship at A Better Way as well. Through my training, I have had the privilege of practicing psychology with the underserved community and, in essence, have given back to the community that gave to me. As I embark on my future career plans and goals, I will utilize my training to continue to work in public service as an advocate for families in need.(Statement provided in 2009)

Competency, professionalism, and quality services are three standards I value and practice as a psychologist in community mental health.  I love the work that I do.  I will continue to work hard to provide our community with a unique resource to help increase their quality of life. Thanks to CAPIC in helping me broaden my journey as a psychologist. (Statement provided in 2009)

I received the CAPIC stipend in 2010 so that I could complete my internship hours at WISE & Healthy Aging helping older adults. This led to my accepting the position of Supervising Psychologist of the WISE & Healthy Aging Senior Peer Counseling Department in Santa Monica. With the ‘Baby Boomers’ coming of age I am excited to be able to offer them the assistance they may need addressing issues related to aging. Thank you, CAPIC! (Statement provided in 2011)

When my internship at Mission Mental Health ends in October and I graduate with my Psy.D., I want to return to work with adolescents and families in a dual diagnosis community clinic. I am grateful to CAPIC for having given me the opportunity to work in diverse environments and with different populations so I that I could get clarity around my purpose for working in this field. (Statement provided in 2009)

Psychotherapy is an elusive process but at the crux of it is being able to understand the person in the room with you. To me, this means being able to appreciate and recognize the impact of uncontrollable environmental, biological, and social forces, and then being able to integrate that into an understanding of the person’s unique collection of personality traits. I believe that my past clinical experiences has trained me apply this multifaceted view of the people, which I believe is essential for work with the underserved, culturally diverse population found in community mental health settings. My hope for the future is to apply the skills I’ve gained to help the underserved families and individuals in most need and also to continue learning from them. (Statement provided in 2010)

As a clinical-community psychologist, I am motivated to providing mental health services to children and families who have limited access to care, reside in poverty-stricken areas, or are from underrepresented ethnic or racial backgrounds. Previous experiences working with child victims of abuse and other traumas within underserved Los Angeles communities have cultivated my dedication to serving this population specifically. (Statement provided in 2010)

As a psychologist specializing in early childhood mental health, I strongly believe in the critical importance of early intervention and prevention to help children in meeting their developmental potential. With my continued training at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, I will continue to enhance my clinical skills in serving children and families affected by traumatic experiences, learning and developmental disabilities, and unhealthy relationships. (Statement provided in 2010)

One of the best things about having a graduate degree in clinical psychology is the career flexibility that it offers.  My psychological education and training prepared me for a future in research, psychological testing and program development and consultation. The emphasis, however, was in the clinical work which was the perfect match for me because that’s what I love the best!  Now that I’m moving into my post-doctorate work and career, my plan is to continue to focus on the clinical side of psychology.  I completed my pre-doctoral internship working with underserved, older adults and this is where I plan to build my career.  The challenges and richness that older adults bring to the clinical work is professionally and personally rewarding and I love knowing that I’m making a real difference in the lives of those I serve.   (Statement provided in 2009)

Jime Salcedo received his undergraduate degree in psychology from San Francisco State University, and his doctoral degree in Clinical-Community Psychology from the University of La Verne. He completed an APA internship with the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health’s General Outpatient and Forensic Services Program. He is currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at Gateways Hospital and Mental Health Center. His research experience includes inquiries into perceived effective therapeutic interventions with Latino men, development of self-concept and self-perception, Latino masculinity in the therapeutic relationship, immigration’s effects on self-esteem and self-confidence, identity formation, and racism related stress. Jime is a founding member of the Latino Student Psychological Association at the University of La Verne, the past Chair for the California Psychological Association of Graduate Students, and currently serves on the Board of the California Latino Psychological Association. (Statement provided in 2011)

In I am currently completing my internship at Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. I have had the opportunity to work with a very diverse population, ranging from 5-60 years of age in forensic, school-based and after-school programs, in addition to field work. I have also been able to utilize my psychological testing skills, supervise externs and work on a multidisciplinary team. After completing my internship, I have no doubt that I will be able to work in any type of setting, specifically with marginalized populations.   (Statement provided in 2009)