Director

Dr. Watters is an assistant professor at Palo Alto University and the director of the Trauma, Diversity, and Systemic Change Lab.

Lab Member

Tara is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University, where she also earned her M.S. in Psychology. She graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Child and Adolescent Development from San Jose State University. Her professional training includes applied behavior analysis and sexual assault and domestic violence counseling. Tara's clinical and research interests include trauma informed care and trauma resilience.

Lab Member

Shalet received her B.S. in psychology from the University of Texas at Dallas in 2020. She went on to complete her M.S. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Texas at Tyler in 2023. Shalet's research and clinical interests include examining interventions for trauma using transdiagnostic factors as moderators.

Lab Member

Sabrin is a third-year PhD student in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University where she also graduated magna cum laude with a B.S. in Psychology and Social Action in 2023. Sabrin’s clinical and research interests focus on trauma, particularly the impacts of childhood trauma and sexual trauma on children, adolescents, and young adults. She is also interested in looking at attachment theory and NSSI behavior.

Lab Member

Dea is a first-year PhD student in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University. She holds a B.A. (Honors) in Psychology and is passionate about advancing trauma-informed clinical practices. Her research interests center on complex trauma and sexual trauma, particularly in intersection with marginalized identities. Additionally, she wants to explore how trauma shapes interpersonal dynamics, with a focus on romantic relationships and interpersonal violence.

Lab Member

Yasmin is a 2nd year PhD student at Palo Alto University. She holds a B.A. in Individualized Study and an M.A. in Psychology with a Clinical focus, both from New York University. Her research interest is women's mental health with particular focus on the intersection of trauma and autoimmune illness in adult women. ion goes here

Lab Member

Sydney is a 2nd year PhD student at Palo Alto University. She holds a B.S. in Psychology and is passionate about mindfulness psychology and trauma. Her research interest is Internal Family Systems therapy with particular focus on the relationship between trauma and self-leadership skills in adults.

Lab Member

Tara is a second-year PhD student in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University. She received her BA in Psychology from Trinity University and her MA in Mental Health Counseling and Behavioral Medicine from Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine. Tara's research and clinical interests include trauma, eating disorders, and their intersections, as well as NSSI and suicidality in military populations. Tara is also interested in exploring how biological factors, such as biomarkers, contribute to these conditions.

Lab Member

Amelie is a second-year Ph.D. student in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University. She earned her M.S. in Psychology from the University of Zurich in 2023. Her research and clinical interests focus on the association between childhood trauma and personality pathology across cultures, with particular interest in the moderating role of cultural values. Through her work, Amelie aims to inform the development of effective, culturally sensitive trauma-focused interventions. She also contributes to research on the mental health of entrepreneurs, particularly how this population experiences and copes with business-related trauma.