
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).
Growing up is hard, but with the right support, you’ll learn how to ride the waves and thrive on the other side.

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).