1. Michaela R. Sandoval
Curriculum Vitae
Academic Affiliation
Palo Alto University
1791 Arastradero Road
Palo Alto, California 94304
msandoval@paloaltou.edu
EDUCATION
09/2013 – Present Graduate Student, Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology (APA-
accredited)
Pacific Graduate School of Psychology, Palo Alto University (PAU), Palo
Alto, CA
Emphasis: Forensic Psychology
Advisor: Janice Habarth, Ph.D.
07/2011 – 06/2012 Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
California State University, San Bernardino, San Bernardino, CA
• Dean’s List
• Graduated with High Honors
02/2008 – 06/2011 Associate Degree in Cosmetology
Riverside Community College, Riverside, CA
• Dean’s List
• Graduated with Great Distinction
• Owen Locke Memorial Scholarship Recipient
CLINICAL EXPERIENCE
09/2015 – Present Psychological Practicum Student – Health Right 360 - Walden House
– San
Francisco, CA
• Provide individual mental health counseling sessions as well as
milieu therapy to clients in the residential treatment facility for
substance abuse for co-occurring psychological diagnoses
2. • Provide group counseling for clients at the residential treatment
facility addressing skills and topics such as anger management,
coping with stress, mindfulness, meditation, seeking safety,
developing healthy self-esteem, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy,
and effective interpersonal communication
• Write reports after every session with every client, write reports
after every group session, develop treatment plans for each client,
draft termination plans for each client, evaluate client recovery,
and consistently assess and manage risk to self or others for each
client
• Develop a group counseling curriculum addressing anger and
effective communication that is currently in use at the site.
o Supervisor: Charles Kraft, Ed. D.
03/2015 – 08/2015 Psychological Practicum Student – Bay Area Addiction Research and
Treatment
Center (BAART) – San Francisco, CA
• Provided individual counseling sessions to clients receiving
methadone treatment for opiate addiction and co-occurring
psychological diagnoses including mood, anxiety, psychotic, and
personality disorders
• Wrote reports after every session with every client, developed
treatment plans for each client, drafted termination plans for each
client, evaluated client recovery, evaluated dose effectiveness for
each client, and consistently assessed and managed risk to self or
others for each client
o Supervisor: Helen Geller, Psy.D.
06/2014 – 06/2015 Psychological Trainee – PAU Gronowski Center – Los Altos, CA
The Gronowski Center is a University-based, outpatient community mental
health center serving a diverse population of adults, adolescents, children,
couples, and families.
• Provided individual therapy to clients who presented with mood,
anxiety disorders, interpersonal difficulties, and psychotic disorders
• Completed didactic training on topics such as suicide risk, culture and
therapy, risk assessment and management, and case conceptualization
for specific orientations
3. • Wrote reports after every session with every client, administered
assessments to each client at every session, developed treatment plans
and case conceptualizations for each client, drafted termination
summaries and termination letters, conducted telephone and in-person
intakes
• Conducted assessments with clients including IQ assessment and
personality assessments and wrote reports integrating multiple
assessments for each client in order to aid diagnosis and treatment.
o Supervisor: Jennifer Mason, Ph.D.
05/2011 – 03/2013 Group Facilitator – New Day Institute – Fontana, CA
• Led weekly court mandated domestic violence and anger management
group counseling rehabilitation classes of 10-18 group members
• Fostered a respectful and empathetic environment for each offender
and his or her victim
• Prepared written reports evaluating the group members on
participation and progress in course
• Provided psychoeducation on the cycle of violence and how to break
this cycle
• Taught group members communication skills, and utilized behavior
modification techniques to help group members achieve effective
interpersonal interactions and relationships
o Supervisor/Clinical Director: Yaser Selim, MFT
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
04/2014 – Present Research Assistant – Personality and Social Norms Research Group –
Palo Alto University
• Group focuses on research on how attitudes about gender, sexual
orientation, and other identities relate to personality, social, and
interpersonal factors
• Develop literature reviews for new study proposals, complete analyses
and text for professional conferences and manuscripts in preparation
o Advisor: Janice Habarth, Ph.D.
PRESENTATIONS
4. • Sandoval, M. & Coquia, D. (2015,August). Heteronormativity and
associated outcomes among sexual minority and heterosexual women.
American PsychologicalAssociation annual convention, Toronto, Ontario,
Canada.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
11/2012 – 03/2013 Tutor – The Academic Advantage – Riverside Unified School District,
Riverside, CA
• Language Arts and Math tutoring in compliance with No Child Left
Behind
o Supervisor: Rubi Ochoa
LEADERSHIP
06/2014 – 06/2015 Forensic Mental Health Student Group – Treasurer – Palo Alto
University
• Managed the budget for the student group, organizing campus events,
contacting speakers for events, securing venues, securing catering, and
organizing a continuing education course for licensed professionals
AFFILIATIONS/MEMBERSHIPS
12/2013 – Present American Psychological Association – Graduate Student Member
OTHER WORK EXPERIENCE
10/2014 – Present Work Study – Graduate Admissions Office – Palo Alto University – Palo
Alto, CA
• Enter data, communicate with prospective students, and attend various
admissions related events
10/2007 – 01/2009 Store Manager – Quiznos Subs – Riverside, CA
• Managed a restaurant of approximately 15 employees
• Maintained accuracy of sales records and federal and state safety
standards while providing a positive work environment
• Developed employees’ responsibilities and encouraged growth within
the company
