TraumaResource: Clinical & Forensic Psychology

Specialties

PhD Clinical Psychologist with career-​long focus on trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and associated problems including depression, bipolar illness, addiction and other self-​destructive behavior. I have had significant research and clinical experience in diagnosing and treating the dual diagnosis patient, i.e., those struggling with both PTSD or other trauma-​related problems and substance abuse problems. My practice also focuses on providing forensic services for people involved in criminal or civil litigation. If you or your attorney sees the need for expert evaluation or testimony – especially in instances where emotional or physical trauma has led to psychological injury – please let me know.

History

Established in 1991.

In1989, I helped in the launch of the National Center for PTSD at the VA in Menlo Park where I held the post as clinical psychologist for 3 years prior. There I developed an expertise in treating the complexities of survivors of war trauma. We developed an assessment laboratory and grant-​funded research to improve treatment for veterans with PTSD and mutiple, associated problems, especially substance abuse and problems stemming from childhood abuse. I opened a small, private practice in Palo Alto where I was able to see adults, adolescents and families with trauma-​related problems. After being invited to testify in a handful of PTSD-​related trials in the 1990s as well as being asked to testify before Congress in 1991 (The Needs of Ethnic Minority Veterans with PTSD), I formally dubbed the practice Trauma Resource Consulting in 1993. In 1999, the forensic side of my practice had grown sufficiently to warrant the formal name change to TraumaResource: Clinical & Forensic Psychology.

Meet the Business Owner

Dr. Francis A.

Business Owner

I grew up in the South Bay Area, attended Santa Clara University as an undergraduate and obtained a masters and doctorate in clinical psychology at the State University of New York at Binghamton. I completed a dissertation looking at the emotional consequences of community residents and office workers from a toxic chemical disaster. I completed an internship at the VA Medical Center in Jackson, Mississippi where I was immersed in research and treatment training experiences with addictions and combat-​related PTSD and other anxiety and mood disorders. I was hired in 1986 at the Palo Alto VA Medical Center as a clinical psychologist and research coordinator at the largest inpatient program in the country dedicated to combat-​related PTSD. Af ter just a few years, our work expanded into many facets of the trauma survivors’ experience, consulting the courts, doing volunteer disaster mental health here and abroad, and ultimately led to my founding a private practice.