Dynamic licensed clinical psychologist with more than thirty years of success as a clinician working with children, adults, couples and families. Comprehensive background in forensics including all facets of adoption, child abuse, attachment disruption, dually diagnosed and the severely mentally ill. Expert witness in cases of adoptee parricide and homicide.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Forensic Psychologist

Carlis Psychological Services, Inc.- Calabasas, CA. 05/00 – present

• Expert witness in Capital Murder cases- Juvenile and Adult Adoptee Parricide and Homicide cases.
• Competency Evaluations for Birthmothers

Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Carlis Psychological Services, Inc. – Calabasas, CA. 09/95 – present

• Private practice specializing in the needs of children, families, individuals and couples whose lives have been touched by adoption & foster care. Expert in trauma resolution, attachment disorders, infertility counseling, prospective adoptive parent education and first parent counseling

Consulting Psychologist

Pfusion Corporation Sylmar, CA. 06/95 -10/03

• Provided therapy to severely mentally ill and dually diagnosed adult population in secured psychiatric institutions

Adoption Liaison

Department of Children and Family Services –Adoption Branch Pasadena, CA. 09/97-05/02

• Prepared adoption studies, court reports and permanency planning for dependent children in the foster care system

Child Abuse Investigator

Department of Children and Family Services– Van Nuys CA. 08/87-09/97

• Investigated reports of child abuse, interface with LAPD & Dependency Court

Psychological Assistant-Internship

Children’s Institute International LA, CA. 08/85-04/86

• Provided play therapy for severely emotionally disturbed children

Administrator & Co Founder

Adoption Family Services West Hills, CA. 12/88-12/94

• Program development and administration. Provided counseling, search and reunion services to adoptees, birth parents and adoptive Recruit, train and organized staff of independent contractors

Director

PMS Self- Help Clinic- Studio City & West Hills, CA. 12/84-12/88

• Diagnosis & treatment of Served as a Liaison and interfaced with the medical community

Therapist

Ingleside Hospital Rosemead, CA. 06/79-03/84

• Provided therapy to a partially hospitalized adult psychiatric

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Ph.D. Clinical Psychology 06/95. California Graduate Institute, Westwood, CA

M.A. Psychology/ Movement Therapy 05/80. Immaculate Heart College, Los Angeles, CA

B.A. Psychology/Liberal Arts 06/77. California State University Northridge, CA

RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS

The Neurobiological Effects of Inutero Attachment on the Adopted Individual, Journal of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology and Health. Volume 29, Number 4, Summer 2015