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Carolyn B. Allard

Carolyn B. Allard

Credentials: 

  • Ph.D.

  • ABPP

Current Position(s): 

  • VA WOC Research

  • Program Director, Clinical Psychology PhD Program, California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University

  • President, American Psychological Association Division 56 (Trauma)

Personal Statement: 

Carolyn B. Allard, PhD, ABPP, is an Associate Professor and Program Director of the PhD Program at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) at Alliant International University. Prior to her current position, she served as Program Director of the Military Sexual Trauma & Interpersonal Trauma Clinic and the San Diego Advanced Fellowship in Women's Health for over 10 years at the Veterans Affairs (VA) San Diego Healthcare System and University of California San Diego Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Allard is a licensed psychologist and has her Board Certification in Clinical Psychology, and she has extensive experience in clinical practice and training and consultation, with expertise in the treatment of trauma related conditions. She is a certified trainer and consultant for empirically supported trauma focused treatments. Dr. Allard is also an active researcher, with a concurrent research appointment at the VA. Her research is focused on the identification of individual, socio-cultural, and contextual predictors of post-traumatic distress and treatment outcomes, with a specific interest in trauma-related guilt and shame, and the goal of developing and testing interventions to address these factors to improve outcomes. Dr. Allard is also engaged in public education and social advocacy. She is President of the American Psychological Association’s Trauma Division (Division 56) for 2020, with the mission of bridging culturally informed trauma research, practice, and advocacy to effectively address trauma and its impact in our local and global communities.

Professional History:

  • Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, UCSD, San Diego CA, 2015 to 2019; Assistant Professor 2009 to 2015.

  • Clinical Director, Solara Mental Health, San Diego CA, 2017

  • Developed evidence-based clinical program from the ground up for this startup residential mental health facility that contributed to successful Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) accreditation within 6 months.

  • Practicum Clinical Supervisor, UCSD/SDSU Joint Doctoral Program, 2013 to 2017

  • Director, Faculty and Primary Supervisor, Advanced Fellowship in Women’s Health, Postdoctoral Residency Program (APA Accredited), VASDHS/UCSD, San Diego CA, 2012 to 2017

  • Director, Advanced Fellowship in Women’s Health, Clinical Psychology Track, VASDHS/UCSD, San Diego CA, 2012 to 2017

  • Developed this 2-year interdisciplinary fellowship program and obtained funding from the VA Office of Academic Affairs, which is ongoing. Coordinated and provided direct clinical and research training, mentorship and supervision to postdoctoral fellows, each of whom successfully obtained employment in their desired field and setting. Contributed to successful self-study and visit leading to APA accreditation of this fellowship, as part of the VASDHS/UCSD Psychology Clinical Research Postdoctoral Residency Program.

  • Regional Trainer and Consultant, Cognitive Processing Therapy Training Initiative, VASDHS, 2012 to 2017

  • National Consultant, Prolonged Exposure (PE) Training Initiative, VA Central Office, Washington DC, 2010 to 2017

  • Faculty and Primary Supervisor, Clinical Psychology Predoctoral Internship Program, UCSD/VASDHS, San Diego CA, 2008 to 2017

  • Interim Director, Anxiety Clinic, VASDHS, San Diego CA, July to August 2008

  • Oversaw clinic operations, processed incoming consults, taught and supervised predoctoral and
    postdoctoral trainees, administered diagnostic evaluations and empirically supported group and individual
    psychotherapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), and Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) to veterans with anxiety symptoms.

  • Project Director, Research Service, VASDHS, San Diego CA, September 2007 to September 2010 Directed VA Merit Grant (PI: Murray Stein): The Neurobiology of Severe Psychological Trauma in Women, involving fMRI and neuropsychological assessment of women with PTSD related to domestic violence and changes associated with therapy outcomes.

  • Fee-Basis Psychotherapist, OEF/OIF/OND PTSD Clinic, VASDHS, San Diego CA, December 2007 to June 2008 Provided empirically supported therapy, including PE, CPT, Seeking Safety and TRIGR to veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder, producing positive outcomes as measured by self-report symptom scales and diagnostic assessments.

  • Therapist/QMHP, Counseling Center, Direction Services, Eugene OR, April 2005 to June 2006 Administered CBT, CPT, and family systems therapy.

Education:

  • Postdoctoral Fellowship, Clinical Psychology, Veteran’s Affairs San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) / University of California San Diego (UCSD), 2008

  • Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene OR (American Psychological Association [APA] Accredited), 2007

  • Predoctoral Internship, Clinical Psychology, UCSD/VASDHS, San Diego CA (APA Accredited), 2007

  • M.S., Clinical Psychology, University of Oregon, Eugene OR, 2002

  • M.A., Social Psychology, Carleton University, Ottawa ON, Canada, 1995

  • B.A. (Hons.), Psychology, Queen’s University, Kingston ON, Canada, 1991

Honors/Awards:

  • Best New PTSD Book (and in top 100 books in Mental Health and in Psychotherapy categories), BookAuthority, July 2019 to Present

  • Leader, Leadership Institute for Women in Psychology, APA, 2019

  • Teaching Excellence Award, Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Residency Program, 2015-2016

  • Excellence in Leadership Award, VASDHS, 2016

  • Outstanding Teamwork Award, MST & IPT Team, VASDHS, 2015

  • UCSD Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Service as a Mentor in the 2014-15 Faculty Mentor Program, UCSD, 2015

  • Director’s Special Contribution Award, VASDHS, 2014

  • Employee Excellence Recognition Program Teamwork Award, Institutional Review Board (IRB), VASDHS, 2014

  • Early Career Women Faculty Professional Development Seminar selected participant, Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), 2012

  • Health Sciences Faculty Affairs Office Travel Award, UCSD, 2012

  • National Center of Leadership in Academic Medicine selected participant, UCSD, 2010 to 2011

  • Distinguished Dissertation Award, APA Division 56 (Trauma), 2007

  • Graduate School Research Award, University of Oregon, 2006

  • David Caul Graduate Research Grant, International Society for the Study of Dissociation, 2005

  • Norman Sundberg Clinical, Community and Cultural Research Scholarship, University of Oregon, 2005

  • Mary E. Russell Scholarship, University of Oregon, 2005

  • American Psychological Association Convention Student Travel Award, 2004

  • Center for the Study of Women in Society Travel Award, University of Oregon, 2003, 2004

  • Mt. Vernon Lee Enterprises (MVLE) Board of Directors Award in Recognition of Outstanding Contribution to the Improvement of Programs for People with Disabilities, 1996

  • Canadian Psychological Association Symposium Section on Women and Psychology Abstract Competition Award, 1994

  • Canadian Psychological Association Convention Travel Award, 1994

  • Graduate Students Association Travel Award, Carleton University, 1994

  • Graduate Studies and Research Travel Award, Carleton University, 1994

     

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