Dr. Vanessa Holtgrave
Dr. Vanessa Holtgrave
Associate Professor of Psychology
Arts and Sciences
Forensic Psychology, Clinical Assessment, Child and Adult Psychopathology
Dr. Holtgrave obtained her Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Clinical-Forensic Psychology with a research emphasis on police psychology. Dr. Holtgrave is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of California and a Chartered Psychologist with the British Psychological Society. She has extensive experience in psychological and neuropsychiatric assessment and diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and other psychopathologies. Dr. Holtgrave has worked closely with forensic teams, provides consultation and supervision, and coordinates patient care with medical professionals in a psychiatric settings. Over the years, Dr. Holtgrave has worked within the prison system, juvenile detention facilities, in crisis settings conducting evaluations for civil commitment, and within child and adult community-based outpatient mental health.
Education History
2015 - Psy.D. in Clinical-Forensic Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
- Dissertation: “Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Features in Law Enforcement”
2009 - M.S. in Psychology, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
- Thesis: Virtual Therapeutic Environments: A Complimentary Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
2006 - B.S. in Psychology, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
- Minor in Sociology
Scholarly Activities
2017, December
- Collaborative Suicide Panel, Casa Pacifica
Panel Member
Title: An Evening of Hope and Resilience
2015, February
- Cyberbullying Workshop, Browne Psychological Services
Primary Presenter
Title: Tormented youth: Cyber bullying and its effects on kids.
2014, August
- Annual Convention – Washington, DC, American Psychological Association
Presenter
Title: Obsessive-compulsive personality traits in law enforcement.
Professional Experience
2016-Current - Adjunct Faculty/Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Global Santa Maria/Modesto/Hanford/Visalia, CA
2017-Current - Adjunct Faculty, Southern New Hampshire University
2017-2018 - Adjunct Faculty, Columbia Southern University
2015-2018 - Clinical Psychologist, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Santa Barbara, CA
- AB-109 Program in association with Santa Barbara County Department of Probation
2016-2018 - Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Casa Pacifica – Safe Alternatives For Treating Youth (SAFTY) Santa Maria, CA
- 5150 Civil Commitment Assessments and Suicide Intervention
2014-2016 - Doctoral Intern, Browne Psychological Services Arroyo Grande, CA
- Pediatric and Adult Psychological Evaluation
2012-2014 - Practicum Student, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Santa Maria, CA
- PEI-TAY Program, Children’s Mental Health, and Juvenile Justice Mental Health 2012-2014
2007-2011 - Clinical Therapist/Adult Case Management, Center for Mental Health – Great Falls Prison Pre-Release Great Falls, MT
- Prison Transition services for state and federal parolees 2007-2011
Education History
2015 - Psy.D. in Clinical-Forensic Psychology, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
- Dissertation: “Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Features in Law Enforcement”
2009 - M.S. in Psychology, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
- Thesis: Virtual Therapeutic Environments: A Complimentary Treatment for Bipolar Disorder
2006 - B.S. in Psychology, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, IL
- Minor in Sociology
Scholarly Activities
2017, December
- Collaborative Suicide Panel, Casa Pacifica
Panel Member
Title: An Evening of Hope and Resilience
2015, February
- Cyberbullying Workshop, Browne Psychological Services
Primary Presenter
Title: Tormented youth: Cyber bullying and its effects on kids.
2014, August
- Annual Convention – Washington, DC, American Psychological Association
Presenter
Title: Obsessive-compulsive personality traits in law enforcement.
Professional Experience
2016-Current - Adjunct Faculty/Assistant Professor, University of Massachusetts Global Santa Maria/Modesto/Hanford/Visalia, CA
2017-Current - Adjunct Faculty, Southern New Hampshire University
2017-2018 - Adjunct Faculty, Columbia Southern University
2015-2018 - Clinical Psychologist, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Santa Barbara, CA
- AB-109 Program in association with Santa Barbara County Department of Probation
2016-2018 - Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Casa Pacifica – Safe Alternatives For Treating Youth (SAFTY) Santa Maria, CA
- 5150 Civil Commitment Assessments and Suicide Intervention
2014-2016 - Doctoral Intern, Browne Psychological Services Arroyo Grande, CA
- Pediatric and Adult Psychological Evaluation
2012-2014 - Practicum Student, Santa Barbara County Behavioral Wellness Santa Maria, CA
- PEI-TAY Program, Children’s Mental Health, and Juvenile Justice Mental Health 2012-2014
2007-2011 - Clinical Therapist/Adult Case Management, Center for Mental Health – Great Falls Prison Pre-Release Great Falls, MT
- Prison Transition services for state and federal parolees 2007-2011
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