Stress and Health Research Assessment Core

A Pre-Doctoral Psychology Program for Students living in the San Francisco Bay Area!

 

Key Components of the Stress and Health Research Assessment Core:

  • Work with a team composed of psychologists, psychiatrists, and scientists who are experts in conducting research on the effects of stress
  • Students have multiple opportunities to attend UCSF and SFVA training in addition to their weekly SHRP training, with specialized training in PTSD assessment
  • Formulate diagnostic profiles, write reports and work with team to determine study eligibility and treatment outcomes of clinical research

SHRP Supplementary Practicum 

What are the roles of practicum students in the Stress and Health Research Program?
  • Practicum students conduct structured clinical interviews at the San Francisco VA Medical Center for research projects with the Stress and Health Research Program (SHRP). 

Program Format

  • 8-10 hours per week of Assessment battery administration with Veteran and civilian research participants (1-2 integrated batteries per week) 
  • Training: 2 hours per week 
  • Group Supervision: 2 hours each week (case conference) 
  • Individual Supervision: 2 hours per month 

Position Requirements

  • M.A./M.S. degree in clinical or counseling psychology or equivalent (2nd year in PhD or PsyD doctoral program) 
  • Knowledge of DSM-5 diagnoses 
  • Availability of at least 14 hours weekly at the SFVA required 
  • Availability for a weekly training and case conference from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. on Tuesdays
  • Previous experience in research and diagnostic assessment (SCID & CAPS) preferred 
  • Knowledge and previous experience in the assessment of PTSD and SUD preferred

 

 

Meet the 2025-2026 Stress and Health Research Assessment Core!

Assessment Core 2025-2026

Pictured from Left to Right: Meghan Brown, Ivy Xu, Amber Hassan and Karan Dilawari

Meghan Brown is a doctoral student in Clinical Psychology at Palo Alto University, focusing on trauma-informed assessment and psychological resilience. She trained at Stanford's Addiction Medicine Dual Diagnosis Clinic, conducted research with UCSF’s PRISM Study, and brings prior experience supporting perinatal and medically complex populations. 

Ivy Xu is a graduate student working toward her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at The Wright Institute. Ivy is trained in integrative cognitive behavioral therapy and has worked with children and adults in school-based and community mental health settings. Currently, Ivy is training at a Bay Area hospital, conducting therapy and assessment with historically marginalized communities. 

Karan Dilawari, B.A., received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Riverside, and is working toward a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University. Karan has worked in outpatient mental health through Kaiser Permanente and is a current lab member of Trauma and Personality Studies (TAPS) at Palo Alto University, where he researches personality. 

Amber Hassan, M.S., is a doctoral candidate at the PGSP-Stanford Psy.D. Consortium and earned her Master of Science in Clinical Psychology in 2023. She is passionate about trauma-informed care for individuals with marginalized identities, suicide risk assessment and intervention, and the cultural adaptation of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for BIPOC clients and trainees in both clinical and supervisory contexts.

 

 

Part-time Assessment Staff

Naomi Kosman-Weiner, Psy.D., joined Assessment Core during the 2022-2023 training year. Since the end of her practicum experience with SHRP, Naomi has transitioned to a staff role as a per diem clinical assessor.

 

Stress and Health Assessment Core Alumni

2025-2026 Cohort 

  • Sharon Stovezky, M.A. – Wright Institute
  • Noa Dunevich, B.S. – Palo Alto University
  • Cindy Alvarenga, M.A. – Wright Institute
  • Sarah Tiffin, M.A. – Wright Institute 
  • Chris Calzada, M.S. – Palo Alto University
  • Stephanie (Steph) Eyre, M.A. – Wright Institute

 

2022-2023 Cohort

  • Liz Roskey, M.A. – Wright Institute
  • Induni Wickramasinghe, M.S. – Palo Alto University
  • Adriana Costa – Wright Institute
  • Erika Roach – UC Berkeley
  • Lexie Thomas, LMFT – Wright Institute
  • Naomi Kosman-Wiener – Wright Institute

 

2023-2024 Cohort 

  • Ashley Mullin – Palo Alto University
  • Elizabeth (Iz) Nicklas, M.A., M.S  – Palo Alto University
  • Julia Price  – Wright Institute
  • Erica Morasse  – Wright Institute
  • Steven Tran  – PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium
  • Jason Woodruff – Palo Alto University