Jennifer Gamarra, PhD
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST - PSY 33598
Dr. Jennifer Gamarra is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor of
Clinical Psychology at California Lutheran University. She received her Ph.D. in clinical
psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has extensive experience
in diagnosis assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults with
mood, anxiety, trauma, and attention problems. She completed her predoctoral internship
in child and family clinical psychology at Pacific Clinics and her Postdoctoral Fellowship
at the UCLA Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program (UCLA CHAMP).
Dr. Gamarra utilizes a warm and empathic approach to help clients better understand
their needs and strengths. Dr. Gamarra has extensive training in Cognitive-Behavioral
Therapy (CBT), including Trauma-Focused (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment
Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based therapies. Dr. Gamarra takes an integrative
approach with clients to best suit their clinical needs.
Dr. Gamarra is also passionate about teaching and supervising. In her position at CLU,
Dr. Gamarra teaches a variety of courses and provides clinical supervision to doctoral
students who are aspiring psychologists. Throughout her career, she has taught courses in
psychology and evidence-based therapies for high school, undergraduate, and graduate
students. Her research specializes in mental health literacy and empowering community
members to make informed choices about their mental healthcare.
In her free time, Dr. Gamarra enjoys going to the movies, trying new restaurants, and
spending time with her loved ones (especially her 7-lb pup, Ziggy).
TRAINING:
EDUCATION:
PUBLICATIONS:
Dr. Jennifer Gamarra is a licensed clinical psychologist and Assistant Professor of
Clinical Psychology at California Lutheran University. She received her Ph.D. in clinical
psychology from the University of California, Los Angeles. She has extensive experience
in diagnosis assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and young adults with
mood, anxiety, trauma, and attention problems. She completed her predoctoral internship
in child and family clinical psychology at Pacific Clinics and her Postdoctoral Fellowship
at the UCLA Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program (UCLA CHAMP).
Dr. Gamarra utilizes a warm and empathic approach to help clients better understand
their needs and strengths. Dr. Gamarra has extensive training in Cognitive-Behavioral
Therapy (CBT), including Trauma-Focused (TF-CBT), Acceptance and Commitment
Therapy (ACT), and mindfulness-based therapies. Dr. Gamarra takes an integrative
approach with clients to best suit their clinical needs.
Dr. Gamarra is also passionate about teaching and supervising. In her position at CLU,
Dr. Gamarra teaches a variety of courses and provides clinical supervision to doctoral
students who are aspiring psychologists. Throughout her career, she has taught courses in
psychology and evidence-based therapies for high school, undergraduate, and graduate
students. Her research specializes in mental health literacy and empowering community
members to make informed choices about their mental healthcare.
In her free time, Dr. Gamarra enjoys going to the movies, trying new restaurants, and
spending time with her loved ones (especially her 7-lb pup, Ziggy).
TRAINING:
- Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021-2022): Clinical Psychology, Semel Institute of
Neuroscience and Human Behavior, UCLA - Predoctoral Internship (2020-2021): Child and Family Clinical Psychology, Pacific
Clinics, Monrovia, CA
EDUCATION:
- PhD (2021): Clinical Psychology, UCLA
- MA (2016): Clinical Psychology, UCLA
- BA (2012): University of Pennsylvania
PUBLICATIONS:
- Wu, E. G., Becker, K. D., Kim, R. E., Martinez, J. I., Gamarra, J. M., & Chorpita, B. F.
(2022). How do treatment protocols affect the use of engagement practices in youth
mental health services? Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health
Services Research. 49(6), 943-961. - Stirman, S.W., Gutner, C.A., Gamarra, J.M., Suvak, M., Vogt, D., Wachen, J.S.,
Dondanville, K., Johnson, C., Yarvis, J.S., Mintz, J., Peterson, A., McCaughan, S.Y., &
Resick, P.A. (2021). A novel approach to the assessment of fidelity to a cognitive
behavioral therapy for PTSD using clinical worksheets: A proof of concept with
Cognitive Processing Therapy. Behavior Therapy, 52(3), 656-672. - Gamarra, J. M. & Hammett, J. F. (2020). Supervision experiences during practicum in a
brief treatment model college counseling center. The Behavior Therapist, 43(4), 143-145. - Guan, K., Kim, R.E., Rodas, N.V., Brown, T.E., Gamarra, J.M., Krull, J.L., & Chorpita,
B.F. (2019). Emergent life events: An in-depth investigation of characteristics and
provider responses during youth evidence-based treatment. Journal of Clinical Child and
Adolescent Psychology, 48(6), 906–921. doi:10.1080/15374416.2018.1496441 - Stirman, S.W., Gamarra, J.M., Bartlett, B., Calloway, A., & Gutner, C.A. (2017).
Empirical examinations of modifications and adaptations to evidence-based
psychotherapies: Methodologies, impact, and future directions. Clinical Psychology:
Science and Practice, 24 (4), 396-420. - Gamarra, J.M., Luciano, M.T., Gradus, J.L., & Stirman, S.W. (2015). Assessing
variability and implementation fidelity of suicide prevention safety planning in a regional
VA Healthcare System. Crisis: The Journal of Crisis Intervention and Suicide
Prevention, 36(6), 433–439. - Stirman, S.W., Matza, A., Gamarra, J.M., Toder, K., Creed, T., Cunningham, A. Xhezo,
R., Hurford, M., Evans, A.C., Crits-Christoph, P., & Beck, A.T. (2015). System-level
influences on the sustainability of an evidence-based psychotherapy. Psychiatric
Services, 66 (7), 734-742. - Gutner, C.A. & Gamarra, J.M. (2014). Recent findings in cognitive behavioral therapy
for insomnia. The Behavior Therapist, 37(7).