VITAE
Dr. Kara L. Cross Ph.D. ABFE ABPS
Psychologist Licenses: CA 8514 CO 3186 NV 574 MT 410
Diplomat American Board of Forensic Examiners
Diplomat American Board of Psychology Specialists
web: drkaracross.com email contact
Phone/Fax 949-458-6781
26052 Ramjet Court
Lake Forest, CA
92630
1401 Tustin Avenue #120
Santa Ana, Callifornia
92705
CSUF PO Box 34080
Department of Theater
Fullerton, CA 92834-9480
Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology – 1982
California Graduate Institute
1100 Glendon Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
M.A. in Research Psychology – 1989
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA
M.A. in Clinical Psychology – 1980
California Graduate Institute
1100 Glendon Ave.
Los Angeles, CA
B.A. in Psychology – 1978
California State University, Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA
B.A. in Dance – 2000
California State University, Fullerton
State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
CURRENT WORK IN ACADEMIA/EDUCATION:
California State University Fullerton: As part time lecturer at CSUF
CSUF – 2002-PRESENT
PART TIME FACULTY: Cultural Diversity
Dance 101- Introduction to Dance
Course: Cultural Diversity
This is an upper division lecture course that focuses on anthropological cultural evidence throughout the world. The course is designed to give the students a broad perspective on cultural diversity to increase their understanding and tolerance of other societies, cultures, beliefs and ways of life. In the development of this course content and wrote the textbook titled Dancing From the Heart, now in it’s third edition and published by Kendhall Hunt Publishers.
Course : Dance 101 Introduction to Dance
This is a lower division course that focuses on an introduction of various forms of dance: modern, ballet, jazz, African, Hawaiian and Social Dance.
California Graduate Institute, Doctoral Level Courses: From 1990 through 2003, I was a professor of psychology and neuropsychology at the California Graduate Institute, Westwood, CA.
Testing and Proctoring Services
Since 2001 I have offered testing and evaluation services for learning disabilities utilizing the latest in approved test instruments for students with learning disabilities. I also offer proctoring services for testing and screening evaluations.
CURRENT FORENSIC-CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY:
1994- Present: Forensic Neuropsychological Services
A Private Practice
I am a Board Certified Forensic Examiner and am certified by the American Board of Psychology Specialists. The current focus of my practice in Forensics/Neuropsychological Assessment
Forensic Neuropsychological Assessment:
As a Board Certified Forensic Examiner I have worked for over 20 years in neuropsychological and psychological testing within the forensic field as well as giving expert testimony at the superior court level on adults and in the juvenile court. I currently do forensic evaluations for the Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security administration. From 1990 through 199I was Clinical Director of Intermediate Care at Alabama State forensic hospital, Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility.
In addition, I have developed and validated the Spanish version of the STROOP Neuropsychological Screening Test. I currently hold the license for this test as researcher-developer of the Spanish version. Original license is held by PAR Psych Assessment Resources.
1990-1991
Director of Intermediate Care THSMF Alabama
In September of 1990 I took a sabbatical from private practice to work in program development and forensic evaluations for the state of Alabama:
Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility
1301 River Rd. NE
Tuscaloosa, AL
As Director of Intermediate Care unit in this forensic psychiatric hospital, I developed fifteen treatment programs for NGRI patients, established a token economy system, supervised 25 subordinates, conducted neuropsychological/psychological testing and forensic evaluations on felony offenders as requested by the court, defense and/or prosecution as to Competency To Stand Trial (CSTs) and Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity (NGRI) pleas. During this time I was also chairperson for the Utilization Review Committee and a member of the Facility Management Team.
1984-1990 – Private Practice
Practice included Adult, Child and Adolescent individual and group psychotherapy with an emphasis on psychological/ neuropsychological testing and forensic psychology.
From 6-87 to 4-90 I was Program Coordinator for the Children’s Behavioral Center-Psychiatric Unit at Humana Hospital, Huntington Beach. (Hospital Administrator, Mark Annonson, Medical Director, Dr. Frank Hoffman).
1980-1984 – Private Practice
Private practice in conjunction with Drs. William Pickering Ph.D., Jueventino Lopez MD and Dr. Larry Lambertson Md 2220 E. Fruit #149, Santa Ana, CA
Practice included extensive outpatient clinical training with emphasis on adult, child, adolescent and family individual and group psychotherapy; inpatient psychotherapy with particular emphasis on assessment and neuropsychology.
1979-1980
Orangewood Home: Group Counselor: responsibilities included crisis intervention; mediation during visits between children in custody and family members, clinical assessment, creation , implementation and administration of therapeutic activities of minor, abused children.
1976-1978
Project Info
Whittier, CA
teacher
Created and administered therapeutic and educational communication techniques and tools for a communication program for this Los Angeles Country based program for minors within the court system. Wrote scripts and activities used during communication training of these young offenders.
1974-1977
Straight Talk Clinic
Camp St.
Cypress, CA
RESEARCH
Cross, Kara L.; Wakcher, Sandra; and Blackman, Melinda. Personality Comparison of Airline Pilot Incumbents, Applicants and the Population on the 16PF Western Psychology Association Meeting; Cal State University Fullerton 2003
Cross, Kara L; Wakcher, Sandra; and Blackman, Melinda. Personality Comparison of Airline Pilot Incumbents, Applicants and the Population on the 16PF Psychological Reports 2003
Cross, Kara L; Kish, Robin; Flores, Roberto. Dance Observation and Music as Interventions for Depression in Elderly Residents California Psychological Association Convention; 2008
ARTICLES
Filling in the Blanks: Psychological Testing Is Nothing To Be Afraid Of, Airline Pilot Careers, June 2001
Test Patterns: Understanding the role of Aptitude Tests, Airline Pilot Careers, July 2001
Ace The Aptitudes: Practice Can Improve Test Scores, Airline Pilot Careers, October 2001
Psych Tests: Do you have the right stuff?, Airline Pilot Careers, March 2002
Window of Opportunity; Making the most of CRM skills, Airline Pilot Careers, July 2002
Seeing Red!Pilots must learn to keep their emotions in check Airline Pilot Careers, August 2002
Discussing Anger Management, Hidden feelings behind anger, Airline Pilot Careers, September 2002
Offering Constructive Criticism; Don’t get trapped by common mistakes, Airline Pilot Careers, October 2002
Filling in the Blanks: Psychological testing is nothing to be afraid of Airline Pilot Careers, June 2001
Test patterns: Understanding the role of aptitude tests Airline Pilot Careers, July 2001
No Fear! Dealing with defensiveness in psychological testing Airline Pilot Careers, January 2003
Psyching Out Psych Tests: Increasing self esteem and interpersonal warmth scores Airline Pilot Careers, June 2003
Further list available upon request.
THESES AND DISSERTATION
Doctoral Dissertation, Clinical Psychology 1982:
A Comparison of the Effects of Two Communication Programs on the Hostile-Aggressive and Positive Interpersonal Behavior of Abused Preschool children
Master’s Thesis, Clinical psychology 1980:
The Effects of Learning Communication Skills on Hostile-Aggressive and Positive Interpersonal Behavior of Abused Preschool Children
Master’s Thesis, Master of arts in research Psychology, 1989:
A Postdictive Study of the Interrelationships of Specific Environmental Factors, Scores on the WAIS and MMPI, and Special Circumstance Capital Case Offenders
BOOKS IN PRINT
Cross, Kara L. Dancing from the Heart Kendall Hunt Publishing August 30, 2008 ISBN-10 0757551939
Cross, Kara L. S.E.T.: Self Esteem for Tots Psychsupplies, 1999. Printed in the U.S.A.
