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Rich in diversity, Southern California has a pressing need for mental health practitioners who can effectively serve its various communities. Through the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in Clinical Psychology program, Mount Saint Mary’s is committed to filling this need. Launched in 2019, the program focuses on training practitioners to deliver culturally responsive care — tailored to the unique backgrounds, languages and experiences of underserved populations, including Spanish-speaking clients.

“Guided by the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph, this program was designed to uplift and prepare students from diverse backgrounds to serve their own communities,” says Gregory Travis, PhD, director of the PsyD program. The first cohort, which graduated in May, marks a significant milestone for the program, which offers two concentrations: Latinx mental health and diverse populations.

Structured around a practitioner-scholar model, the five-year program equips students with the practical skills and clinical experience they need to help their clients thrive. Through unique coursework, research projects, practicum, internships and professional development opportunities, students graduate with cultural competence skills that uniquely prepare them to understand, communicate with, and effectively care for clients from various cultural backgrounds. Students also have the opportunity to present their research at American Psychological Association (APA) conferences.

“Our students become experts on the latest psychological methods and develop a critical lens to examine the cultural and social factors that shape their clients’ lives,” says Paula Helu-Brown PhD, LMFT, chair of the Department of Psychology. After a rigorous evaluation process, the PsyD program received provisional APA accreditation in the spring, a milestone that underscores its quality and commitment to student success. “This accreditation opens up a broader range of employers, internship sites and postdoctoral opportunities for our students,” says Dr. Helu-Brown. “It also ensures access to federal and state funding for our program.”

Furthering the program’s mission of equity, the first cohort of PsyD students received a $25,000 fellowship over four years, making a doctoral education more accessible.

Lilybeth Valencia ‘24, PsyD, a first-generation student from the inaugural cohort, now serves Spanish-speaking clients at California Women’s Therapy. “At the Mount, I was challenged to grow professionally, spiritually and personally,” she says. With the encouragement of her professors, Lilybeth pursued a variety of clinical practicum experiences. “I now have experience in community mental health, grief counseling and college counseling. I am prepared to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.”