| Approach to therapy | Credentials | CV | Bio |
Dr. Katherine Ellis-Hernandez is a clinical and reproductive health psychologist licensed in the state of California (PSY 24263). She completed her doctoral studies at Fordham University in New York City where she was trained in school and clinical psychology. Her post-doctoral training was focused on reproductive health psychology and third party family building.
Her orientation to the practice of psychology is solution-focused and integrates techniques from a variety of theoretical backgrounds depending on what works best for each individual. Solution-focused therapy focuses on finding positive solutions versus dwelling on problems and negative behaviors. While the initial goals for many clients are often to identify and solve problems, many of Dr. Hernandez’s approaches are cognitive-based allowing her to assist her clients in better understanding themselves and how they think, feel and react to the world around them. This may ultimately lead to changes in thinking and behavior that results in self-awareness and obtaining tools to better cope with health, familial, occupational and social stressors. She believes therapy, both individual and group, is a collaboration between the client and the therapist with active participation and honest feedback strongly encouraged. The therapeutic relationship and progress in meeting predetermined goals are continually evaluated as part of the process of therapy. The length of your work with Dr. Hernandez will be determined as therapy unfolds and goals are identified. You can expect that she will provide guidance and give recommendations, however, she encourages her clients to actively find solutions that will fit within the parameters of their individual lifestyles and worldviews. Dr. Hernandez also encourages a holistic and multidisciplinary approach to therapy and will collaborate with other health care providers treating the client on an as-need-basis (i.e., acupuncture, reproductive medicine, psychiatry, etc.).
Credentials
Education
| Date | Education Background | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 04/2010 – 05/2011 | Registered Psychological Assistant Post-Doctoral Training in Clinical and Health Psychology |
San Diego, CA |
| 09/2002 - 05/2009 | Fordham University PhD in School Psychology (APA accredited) MEd in Therapeutic Interventions (APA accredited) |
New York, NY |
| 09/1994 - 05/1998 | University of North Carolina at Wilmington BA in Psychology (Cum Laude) |
Wilmington, NC |
Professional Licensure
Licensed Practicing Psychologist: California Board of Psychology (PSY24263)Professional Memberships
American Psychological Association (APA)APA Division 38 Member: Health PsychologySan Diego Psychological Association (SDPA)Mental Health Group (MHPG) of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)CV
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Bio
I grew up in a small town on Long Island where ethnic backgrounds fluctuated primarily between whether you were Irish or Italian (and I was a mix of the two). Hungry for more diversity and culture, I moved south to attend college. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington met all of my main criteria: a different culture, a warm climate, a good psychology program, and within 10 miles from the ocean. My junior year of college, I boarded a plane headed to Swansea, Wales in the UK where I studied abroad for a semester and took every opportunity to travel through Europe. I found it fascinating that in the same distance you could travel from New York to New Jersey, you could essentially travel through three or more different countries with vastly different languages, social and economic systems, and overarching cultures.
During my undergrad years, I became very passionate about the rights of same-sex couples to adopt and create families. My goal was to work with children of families created through traditional and non-traditional means by helping them develop strong senses of tolerance, identity, and self-esteem. Upon earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology, I moved out to California to explore the West Coast with my hopes of spreading my idealistic mantra of “we all CAN just get along”. Prior to entering graduate school, I was given the amazing opportunity to nanny for a same-sex couple who had just adopted a newborn boy in San Francisco. I witness firsthand the broader definition of family, and how loving families can be formed that would otherwise not have been through traditional means.
I then attended graduate school back on the East Coast in the melting pot of New York City. I received my doctoral degree in School Psychology at Fordham University. My clinical experiences included facilitating adult groups focused on sexuality and relationships, providing family therapy, providing educational and therapeutic services to children and adolescents, developing and facilitating HIV/AIDS and sexual education curricula, and conducting psychological evaluations. I provided therapeutic services to HIV positive children and adolescents, worked with special needs children and their families, and completed my dissertation research on condom availability programs in high schools.
I relocated to Southern California with my family and completed my post-doctoral hours at a surrogacy and egg donation agency. I developed a mental health support program which provided education and advocacy to all of the parties of third party family building (parents, surrogates, egg donors, children - both future offspring and children of surrogate families). I found it deeply rewarding to play a role in helping families grow and was touched by the relationships that were formed. Most of the participants of the family building teams were initially complete strangers from all different cultures and backgrounds. They came together (anonymous and known) with the same goal of creating a life and growing a family and were invariably changed in the process. The vast majority of individuals reported personal growth and a sense of connection between their families that was beyond any initial expectations. I am currently licensed in the State of California and remain dedicated to embracing diversity and fostering tolerance. It gives me great pleasure to observe the physical, emotional and psychological growth of the individuals and families with whom I have worked.