Meet Dr. Jill Walker
Dr. Jill Walker (PSY29908) is a bilingual English/Spanish speaker and received her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Her dissertation research focused on the effects of various stressors on metabolic health outcomes among Mexican immigrants to the United States. She also spent several years studying psychotherapy outcomes in children and adolescents as well as parenting techniques and neuropsychological outcomes related to stress. Dr. Walker completed her APA-accredited predoctoral internship at Institute for Multicultural Counseling and Education Services, a non-profit organization in Los Angeles, where her experiences focused on community mental health, Spanish-language counseling, and treatment of children and adolescents following traumas.
Dr. Walker completed additional training in neuropsychology and completed her postdoctoral residency at Fullerton Neuropsychological Services and St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, California. As a resident Dr. Walker performed psychological and neuropsychological assessments and provided individual and family therapy to adolescents and adults with a variety of concerns ranging from pain disorders and brain injuries to depression and trauma. Previously, she provided treatment to children and adolescents in private practice settings, a summer camp for youths with ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, and with adolescents in residential treatment for severe behavior concerns, mental illness, and comorbid substance abuse. She has also served as the clinical director and assessment specialist for a practice devoted to children on the autism spectrum. In addition to treating children and adolescents, Dr. Walker’s experiences treating adults have included inpatient hospital settings, private practice settings, community mental health centers, inpatient treatment for comorbid mental health and substance abuse disorders, and in a university counseling center. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Walker has taught several courses at the university level, including Abnormal Psychology and Testing and Measurement.
Dr. Walker is passionate about the correct diagnosis and treatment of ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disorders, and other issues related to childhood and adolescence. She believes in a multidimensional approach to treatment, relying upon family members, teachers, and other connected individuals as crucial components of each child’s life and experience. Dr. Walker is experienced in providing Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Humanistic and Existential treatments, Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), biofeedback, and sleep management as well as providing parenting skills, including Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). She also greatly enjoys facilitating group therapy and has provided group treatment for adolescents on the autism spectrum following UCLA’s PEERS model, in addition to other group work. Her highest goal is to provide compassionate, integrated services to individuals and families of diverse backgrounds and concerns.