Dr. Jose Cardenas is a licensed bilingual/bicultural Clinical Psychologist practicing in the San Fernando Valley of Northern Los Angeles for the past twenty-three years.

Dr. Cardenas was born in the San Fernando Valley. He was one of eleven children of Mexican Immigrant parents who conveyed the importance of formal education; as well as the concept of respect for others, one’s culture and one’s self. Dr. Cardenas has researched in areas of adolescent trauma and the impact of school based group psychotherapy. He has presented and been published for his research on the needs of immigrant children, school violence, community violence, child sexual abuse, the culture of violence and domestic violence. Finally, Dr. Cardenas has appeared as an expert on Spanish Language Television.

Education

Dr. Cardenas earned his Psy.D. from Baylor University, Texas in 1984. Dr. Cardenas was also an intern and minority teaching fellow at Boston University, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry-Psychology.

Degrees

1984 Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, Baylor University, Waco, TX [APA Approved]
1980 B.A., Pychology, University of California, Riverside, CA

Dr. Cardenas has worked in the field of school based mental health treatment with the Los Angeles Unified School District for the past twenty-five years. He is recognized especially for his past work with the San Fernando High School Teen Health Center as Chief Psychologist. Dr. Cardenas conducted and supervised groups for teens on biculturation, sexual abuse, abusive relationships, grief and traumatic loss.

Clinical Experience

Head of Service

Agency provides mental health Los Angeles County contracted medical-services to children, adults and families via clinic and school-based treatment model. Responsibilities include trainings and workshops for staff, individual and group supervision of interns and licensed staff.

11/00 – Present

El Centro De Amistad
566 South Brand Blvd.
San Fernando, California 91340

Chief Psychologist

Worked with adolescent clients in a school based clinic setting. Responsibilities include psychosocial evaluations, individual, group and family therapy, consultation to clinic staff, throughout L.A. unified School district consultation to school staff. Supervision of psychology interns. Groups include sexual abuse, grief, abusive relationship, suicidal ideation, biculturation, community violence and athletic enhancement.

10/87 – 12/04

San Fernando High School
Teen Health Center
11133 O’Melveny Avenue
San Fernando, California 91340

12/02 – 10/04

Consulting Psychologist
Pacoima A.D.H.C.
31117 Van Nuys Blvd.
Pacoima, California 91331-2559

Staff Psychologist

Worked with adult and adolescent clients with responsibilities including intake evaluations, crisis intervention, individual psychotherapy, family therapy, clinical consultation treatment and placement recommendations. Supervisor: Ron Klein, Ph.D.

02/93 – 05/95

Director CPS Domestic Violence Program
Approved Batterers Treatment Program in L.A. County
568 S. Brand Blvd.
San Fernando, California 91340

07/85 – 07/87

Los Angeles County Mental Health Crisis Management Center
8101 Sepulveda Boulevard
Van Nuys, California 91412

Post-Doctoral Intern, Community/Clinical Psychology

This post-doctoral internship utilized a flexible network allowing each intern to experience a variety of sites and supervisors throughout the county mental health systems. Responsibilities included hypnotherapy, individual, group, psychodrama, marital and family therapy, psycho-diagnostics, and participation in training seminars, elementary and middle school personnel, drug education and prevention seminars. Supervisor: Andrew W. McCashin, Ph.D.

10/84 – 06/85

Ventura County Mental Health Services
300 North Hillmont Avenue
Ventura, California 93003

Clinical Psychology Intern & Teaching Fellow Minority Training Program – Boston University

This twelve month clinic internship was designed to help interns develop competencies in the delivery of psychological services to oppressed and multi cultural populations. Responsibilities include hypnotherapy, individual, group, marital and family therapy, seminars, administrative activities and consultation to medical staff, elementary and middle school personnel. Supervisor: Belser Louise, Ph.D. Director of Training: Lisa Porche, Ph.D.

09/83 – 08/84

Boston University, School of Medicine
Department of Psychiatry-Psychology
House Officers Building-2, 818 Harrison Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02118

Clinical Psychology Trainee

This half-time clinical practicum position utilized a multi-disciplinary team approach. Responsibilities included psycho diagnostic assessment of adults, administrative responsibilities, consultation, individual and group therapy, and clinical bio-feedback. Supervisor: Clifford Knape, Ph.D.

07/82 – 06/83

Waco Veterans Administration
Medical Center
Waco, Texas 76703

Clinical Psychology Trainee

This sixteen hour per week clinical practicum consisted of psycho diagnostic assessment of children ages 6 to 18, individual and family therapy, family consultation, as well as consultation to probation officers and the court. Supervisor: Jacqueline Zimmer, Ph.D.

07/81 – 06/82

McLennan County Juvenile Probation Department
Waco, Texas 76708