About Dr. Pollock

Dr. Pollock with Ragnar, a hybrid-Artic Wolf at the local Wolf Sanctuary where Dr. Pollock volunteers 

Education                                                                                                     

Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (APA accredited), 2015 California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Fresno.

M. A. in Psychology, 2009. Antioch University (emphasis in Family Systems).

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Animal Science, minor in Psychology, 2006 at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Professional Positions 

Private Practice, July 2022- Present.

Adjunct Professor in the online Ed.D. and Masters programs in Mental Health Counseling at American International College in Springfield, MA. October 2023 - Present.

Senior Psychologist Specialist at California Department of State Hospitals, January 2018 - September 2022.

Licensed Staff Psychologist, Geriatric Psychologist and Local Recovery Coordinator at VA Western Colorado Healthcare System, September 2016 - December 2017.

Advanced Trainings 

Trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Trained in the Historical Clinical Risk Management-20, Version 3 (HCR20v3)

Trained in the Short-Term Assessment of Risk and Treatability (START)

Certified in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) for PTSD

Certified in Social Skills Training (SST) for Schizophrenia

Certified in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I)

Trained in Prolonged Exposure (PE) for PTSD

Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBT-p)

Trained in Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training (CBSST) for Schizophrenia

Trained in Child Centered Play Therapy 

Postdoctoral Fellowship

APA Accredited Postdoctoral Fellowship in Psychosocial Rehabilitation for Serious Mental Illness at VA San Diego Healthcare System and University of California, San Diego, 2015-2016.

Doctoral Internship

Cheyenne VA Medical Center, 2014-2015.

Clinical Training Placements

Greater Los Angeles (GLA) VA Healthcare System, 2012-2014.

Community Counseling Center of San Luis Obispo County, Paso Robles, CA, 2012.

The Little Village Counseling Center, Inc., Santa Maria, CA, 2008-2009. (Received formal training in child-centered play therapy).  

Publications

Cummings, M., Scott, C., Arguello, J., Arias, A., Breth, A., Delgado, D., Harvey, P. D., Meyer, J. M., O’Day, J., Pollock, M., Proctor, G., Rector, T., Rose, B., Schwartz, E., Thordarson, H., Warburton, K., & Stahl, S. (2020). The Cal-DSH diversion guidelines. CNS Spectrums, 25(5), 701-713. doi:10.1017/S1092852920001819

Valesquez, S., Bauchowitz, A., Pyo, D. & Pollock, M. (2020). Implementation of a specialized program to treat violence in a forensic population. CNS spectrums, 1-6.

Pollock, M.M., Williams, R.E., & Gomez, S.M. (2017). Animals as ice-breakers for veterans with serious mental illness.             International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 21(1), 123-135.

Lebby, P. C., Pollock, M., Mouanoutoua, A., & Lewey, J. L. (2014). Performance of brain-injured versus non-brain injured children and adolescents on the Lebby Asbell Neurocognitive Screening Examination for children and adolescents. Journal of Child Neurology, 30(10), 1255-1262. doi: 10.1177/0883073814556886

Continuing Education Trainings & Workshops

Pollock, M. (2023, January). Building Social Skills for Clients with Serious Mental Illness: Moving Beyond Medication to Address Social Deficits. Live Webinar on January 12, 2023, and available via digital or DVD ongoing, 6.0 CEU training. Offered via PESI.

Gomez, S., Nabors, L., Pollock, M., & Scheid, D. (2016, May). Evidence-Based Practices for Living, Learning, Working, and Socializing. Conference workshop at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association’s 2016 Recovery Workforce Summit in Boston, MA.

Pollock, M. (2016, May). Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Psychosis (CBTp). Conference workshop at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association’s 2016 Recovery Workforce Summit in Boston, MA.

Paper Presentations

Pollock, M., Mouanoutoua, A., & Lebby, P. C. (2014, April). Moral injury in combat-related PTSD. Paper presentation at the inaugural Alliant International Research Symposium in Fresno, California.

Mouanoutoua, A., Pollock, M., Lebby, P. C., & Zhikhareva, N. (2014, April). Public perception of schizophrenia: Cultural considerations. Paper presentation at the 94th Annual Western Psychological Association in Portland, Oregon.

Pollock, M., Harrison, J. L., Mouanoutoua, A., & Lebby, P. C. (2013, May). Construct validity of LANSE-C/A: Neurocognitive screening instruments. Paper presentation at the Central California Research Symposium at Fresno State University, California.

Poster Presentations                                     

Pollock, M. & Williams, R. (2016, May). Animals as Icebreakers: Animal-Assisted Therapy for Veterans with Serious Mental Illness. Poster presentation at the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association’s 2016 Recovery Workforce Summit in Boston, MA.

Pollock, M. & Williams, R. (2016, July). Animals as Icebreakers: Animal-Assisted Therapy for Veterans with Serious Mental Illness. Poster presentation at San Diego VA’s postdoctoral poster seminar.

Pollock, M., Mouanoutoua, A., Walker, K. & Lebby, P. C. (2014, April). Moral injury in combat-related PTSD. Poster presentation at the Central California Research Symposium at Fresno State University, California.

Lebby, P. C., Mouanoutoua, A., Harrison, J. L., &, Pollock, M. (2013, October).  Construct validity of LANSE-C/A: Neurocognitive screening instruments. Poster presentation at the 33rd Annual National Academy of Neuropsychology Conference, San Diego, CA.

Pollock, M., Mouanoutoua, A., Harrison, J. L. & Lebby, P. C. (2013, April). Brain-injury prediction from subtests failed on the LANSE-A and LANSE-C. Poster presentation at the 93rd Annual Western Psychological Association in Reno, NV.

Pollock, M. (2013, April). Exploration of public perception of schizophrenia. Poster presentation at the California Psychological Association Convention, Newport Beach, California

Harrison, J. L., Pollock, M., Mouanoutoua, A., Brimager, A., Lebby, P. C. (2012, November).  The Clinical Utility of the LANSE-A and LANSE-C. Poster presentation at the 32nd Annual National Academy of Neuropsychology Conference, Nashville, TN.

Pollock, M., Harrison, J. L., Mouanoutoua, A., Brimager, A. & Lebby, P. C. (2012, April). Number of subtests failed on the LANSE-A and LANSE-C as a screen for cognitive deficit. Poster presentation at the Central California Research Symposium at Fresno State University, California.

In-Service Trainings I have given

Social Skills Training (SST) for Schizophrenia: 2-day Training for DSH staff working in the Enhanced Treatment Program at California Department of State Hospitals (DSH).

Linking Violence Risk Assessment and Evidence-Based Practices: 2-hour Training for DSH staff working in the Enhanced Treatment Program.

Evidence Based Practices (EBPs) for Psychotic Disorders: Didactic presentation for DSH – Atascadero’s APA Psychology Internship Program.

Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training for Schizophrenia: 90-minute Education Seminar at Department of State Hospitals (DSH) – Atascadero.

Strategies for Fostering Community Integration for persons diagnosed with SMI: Didactic presentation for VA San Diego Healthcare System Psychosocial Rehabilitation Fellowship.

Recovery oriented care for serious mental illness: Training presentation for Grand Junction VA Psychiatry Service Line.

CBT for Psychosis (CBT-p) basics & teaching CBT skills to MHICM Veterans: Training presentation for Grand Junction VA’s Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM) team.

Discerning paranoia from culturally appropriate beliefs: Co-facilitated training for diversity seminar at San Diego VA/UCSD postdoctoral program.

The role of insight in treating schizophrenia: Cheyenne VA Psychology Internship Grand Rounds Training presentation for Mental Health Service Line (MHSL).

Late-onset schizophrenia: Cheyenne VA Medical Center Training at the Community Living Center (CLC).

Scholarships & Awards

Dean’s Award of Excellence - California School of Professional Psychology, 2013. A $5,000 scholarship awarded to students at CSPP who exhibited excellence in academic performance in the 2012-2013 academic year.

Workforce & Education Training (WET) Scholarship – San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Services, 2013. A $5,000 scholarship awarded to students who promote the development of a strong, diverse workforce within the San Luis Obispo Counties public mental health system.

Outstanding Work as a Graduate Student at the Central California Graduate Research and Creative Activities Symposium at California State University, Fresno. Awarded on May 2, 2013.

Dean’s Award of Excellence - California School of Professional Psychology, 2012. A $5,000 scholarship awarded to students at CSPP who exhibited excellence in academic performance in the 2011-2012 academic year.

Honorable Mention for Outstanding Poster Presentation at the 33rd Annual Central California Research Symposium at California State University, Fresno. Awarded on April 2012.

Workforce & Education Training (WET) Scholarship – San Luis Obispo County Behavioral Services, 2011 A $5,000 scholarship awarded to students who promote the development of a strong, diverse workforce within the San Luis Obispo Counties public mental health system.

Teaching Experience

Adjunct Instructor, California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. Hong Kong PsyD bridge program. Courses taught: PSY 3003a: Applied Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences-Lecture (2 semester units), PSY 3003b: Applied Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences- Lab (1 semester unit).  6/15-8/15 and 6/13- 8/13.

Brandman University, Santa Maria, CA campus. Courses taught: PSY 336: Social Psychology (3 units) and PSY 301: Scientific Writing for the Behavioral and Social Sciences (3 units). 9/2013- 3/2014.

Statistics Lab Tutor at Alliant International University, Fresno campus, 8/2013 – 5/2014.

Teaching Assistant (TA) at Alliant International University, Fresno campus for Data Analysis & Program Evaluation, 2012-2013.

Volunteer Work

Dr. Pollock volunteers at a local wolf, wolf-hybrid sanctuary the WHAR Wolves Sanctuary, a non-profit organization that rescues captive-born hybrid wolfdogs and full-blood wolves. Dr. Pollock volunteers weekly to assist with animal care including feeding, cleaning, and social enrichment activities with the dogs. March 2023 – Present.

Fun Facts~ Other Achievements

Certified Personal Fitness Trainer – AFAA (Aerobics & Fitness Association of America), 2007 [currently inactive]

Yoga Instructor - Yoga Fit, 2007

o  Voted ‘Best Yoga Teacher’ by the readers of the Santa Maria Sun Newspaper in 2008.

I have completed numerous long distance running races from distances of 5k to 50k, including the Boston Marathon in 2009.