Clinical Experience & Credentials

Neda Safvati (Agius), Psy.D.
California Licensed Clinical Psychologist, PSY25346
Ontario, Canada Psychologist Autonomous Practice, #7210

 

Education:
2011 Psy.D. Clinical Psychology (Health Emphasis)
California School of Professional Psychology -
Los Angeles, at Alliant International University
 

Doctoral Project:
The Need for the Development of a Website for Parents of
Children with Juvenile Primary Fibromyalgia Syndrome:
A Grant Proposal
 

2009 M.A. Clinical Psychology
California School of Professional Psychology
at Alliant International University, Los Angeles
 

2006 B.A. Psychology
California State University, Northridge
 

Experience:
 

February 2016- President and CEO
Present Tiny Steps Developmental Services, A Psychological Corporation
Los Angeles, CA

• Conduct psychological assessments to assess for autism
spectrum disorder (including administration of ADOS-2) and
intellectual disability, as well as comorbid diagnosis such as
ADHD and anxiety and mood disorders for various funders
including directly with insurance companies as well as
determine accommodations needs based on ADA.

• Direct assessments include but are not limited to Wechsler
Adult Intelligence Scale, Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV), Wechsler
Preschool and Primary Scales of Intelligence, Fourth Edition
(WPPSI-IV), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth
Edition (WISC-V), Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler
Development, Third Edition (BSID-III), Conners Continuous
Performance Test, Third Edition (Conners CPT3), Wechsler
Individual Achievement Test, Third Edition (WIAT-III) and
Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Third Edition
(ADOS-2).

• Indirect/Parent report measures include but are not limited to
Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scale (Conners
CBRS), Conners 4th Edition (Conners 4), Autism Spectrum
Rating Scale (ASRS), Adaptive Behavior Assessment System,
Third Edition (ABAS-3), Sensory Processing Measure, Second
Edition (SPM-2) and Developmental Profile, Third Edition
(DP-3).

• Provide behavioral health treatment, including adaptive skills
training to children with autism spectrum disorder.

• Individual, couples and family therapy for various diagnosis
including trauma, attachment and anxiety disorders.

• Provide clinical supervision and training for psychological
assistants and associate Marriage and Family Therapists.
 

June 2016- Contract Testing Psychologist
October 2020 Penny Lane Centers, North Hills, CA

• Conduct psychological assessments for children from birth to
21 years of age though a department of mental health
contracted agency.

• Complete comprehensive reports including diagnosis and
recommendations to alleviate symptomatology.

• Document all sessions as appropriate for the department of
mental health.

June 2016- Contract Testing Psychologist
January 2017 California Psychcare, Inc., Van Nuys, CA

• Conduct diagnostic assessments to rule out autism spectrum
disorder and intellectual disability, as well as comorbid diagnosis
such as ADHD and anxiety and mood disorders

• Train and supervise psychological assistants and licensed
psychologists on standardized assessment tools including ADOS-2,
WISC-V, Bayley 3, WPPSI-IV and a multitude of parent-, teacher-
and self-report measures

July 2015- Director of Diagnostic Assessments
May 2016 California Psychcare, Inc., Van Nuys, CA

• Conduct diagnostic assessments to rule out autism spectrum
disorder and intellectual disability, as well as comorbid diagnosis
such as ADHD and anxiety and mood disorders

• Train and supervise psych assistants and licensed psychologists
on standardized assessment tools including ADOS-2, WISC-V,
Bayley 3, WPPSI-IV and a multitude of parent-, teacher- and self-
report measures during weekly didactic trainings

• Review all diagnostic reports and provide feedback with regards
to accuracy of diagnosis and interpretation of assessments tools

• Manage all budgets and utilization for the diagnostic assessment
department

November 2014- Clinical Director
July 2015 Autism Response Team, Inc., Van Nuys, CA
California Psychcare owned company

• Oversee clinical and administrative processes of all 10 offices
including managing utilization and budgets

• Provide supervision and training to directors of individual ART
offices, as well as other staff

• Administer and interpret psychodiagnostic assessments as needed
for the various offices

September 2013- Assessment Consultant
November 2014 WPS, Torrance, CA

• Provide training on psychological and educational
assessments for a variety of professionals including clinical
and school psychologists, occupational therapists and
speech and language pathologists

• Aid professionals in developing effective assessment and
intervention libraries

• Support professionals with answers to assessment related
questions including selection of assessments and report
writing

October 2012- Bilingual Therapist II/ Supervisor
September 2013 Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, Glendale, CA

• Continued duties from Therapist I position.

• Provided diagnosis and treatment for children birth to 18
years of age, including prenatally substance exposed, foster
children, adopted children and those with special needs

• Performed psychodiagnostic assessments to assist
therapists and psychiatrists with diagnosis and treatment
planning

• Clinical and assessment supervisor for two APA interns

• Assessment coordinator for Glendale site

• Lead reflective supervisor for Child Parent Psychotherapy
program

• Certified as a TFCBT, MAP, and CPP supervisor

October 2011- Bilingual Therapist I
October 2012 Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, Glendale

• Perform individual, dyadic and family therapy as well as
crisis intervention with children from birth to 18 years of
age

• Lead clinician from Child Parent Psychotherapy Program
and clinical coordinator of DMH birth to five competence
training

• Monitored and maintained documentation of all client
services, ensuring compliance with agency policies and
procedures, DMH contract and other related agency
standards and guidelines
Supervisors: Janie Strasner, Ph.D. & Patrick Kelly, Psy.D.
 

Clinical Training Experience:

September 2010- Pre-Doctoral Intern
June 2011 Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic
Early Intervention Program

• Perform dyadic, family, collateral, and group
psychotherapies, conduct intake assessments, and develop
treatment plans using relationship-based family therapy,
including play therapy for children 0 to 5 years of age.

• Participate in the Day Treatment program and engage in
Floor-Time and/or play therapy with Day Treatment
clients.

• Participate in case conferences, consultation with
psychiatrists, and collaboration with family advocates
providing case management and rehabilitation services.
Supervisors: Lisa Carmack, Ph.D. & Nancy Ezra, Ph.D.
September 2009- Pre-Doctoral Intern

July 2010 Northridge Hospital Medical Center (Northridge, CA)
Center for Rehabilitation Medicine

• Performed neuropsychological evaluations and testing in an
inpatient rehabilitation population, including strokes, spinal
cord injuries, traumatic brain and cancer diagnoses, and an
outpatient brain injury program.

• Provided individual, couples, and family psychotherapy
focusing on neuropsychological dysfunction, adjustment
and grieving.

• Facilitated and co-facilitated spinal cord injury, chronic
pain and stroke support groups.

• Participated in multidisciplinary conferences and
consultations with physicians, nurses, physical therapists,
occupational therapists and speech therapists.
Supervisors: Jacqueline Foster, Ph.D. & Sandra Rudnick, Ph.D.
 

September 2008- Practicum Student
August 2009 Harbor-UCLA Medical Center (Torrance, CA)
Pediatrics Department
 

Peer-reviewed Presentations:
 

Montaño, Z., Safvati, N., Claudius, I., Nager, A. L., & Gold, J. I. (2010, August).
Examining the relationship between somatization and psychosocial impairment in
a pediatric emergency department. Poster presented at the 11th International
Congress of Behavioral Medicine, Washington, DC.

Montaño, Z., Safvati, N., Li, A., Claudius, I., & Gold, J. I. (2010, August). Assessing
Somatization and psychosocial impairment in the pediatric emergency
department. Poster presented at the 118th Annual Convention of the American
Psychological Association, San Diego, CA.

Safvati, N., Montaño, Z., Li, A., Claudius, I., & Gold, J. I. (2010, August). Age, gender,
and somatization as they relate to psychosocial impairment. Poster presented at
the 118th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, San
Diego, CA.

Safvati, N., Critton, T., & Poulsen, M. K. (2010, August) Adjustment to school: Risk
factors and recommendations. Poster presented at the 118th Annual Convention of
the American Psychological Association, San Diego, CA.
 

Invited Presentations:
Safvati, N. (2010, July). What you should know about Middle Eastern patients in rehab.
Presented at the Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Northridge Hospital Medical
Center, Northridge, CA

Naim, J. & Safvati, N. (2009, December). Solutions for Obesity. Presented at the
Iranian Medical Society Continuing Medical Education Lecture Series, Los
Angeles, CA.

Safvati, N. (2009, December). Behavior Management, setting boundaries and family-
centered care in pediatric rehabilitation. Presented at the Commission on the
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities in-service, Northridge Hospital
Medical Center, Northridge, CA.

Lecture and Training Experience:
 

Administration and Interpretation of CAPS and CAPS-CA
• Arizona Psychological Association
Phoenix, AZ. September 12, 2014

• Apache Reservation
San Carlos, AZ. September 11, 2014
Sensory Processing Measure Online Evaluation System and Quick Tips Training

• Cherokee School District
Atlanta, GA. June 3, 2014

• Leyden Area Special Education Cooperative
Chicago, IL. May 13, 2014

• Fulton County Board of Education
Atlanta, GA. April 29, 2014

School Psychologist Assessment Update
• Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
Santa Monica, CA. May 21, 2014
Goal-Oriented Assessment of Lifeskills (GOAL) Training

• Madison City Board of Education
Madison, AL. February 4, 2014
Brief Update on Autism Assessment

• APA Intern Seminar
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Service
Inglewood, CA. January 17, 2014
Effects of Prenatal Substance Exposure

• APA Intern Seminar
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services
Culver City, CA. June 19, 2013
Inglewood, CA. June 20, 2014
 

Road to Licensure in California

• Guest lecturer in graduate school course “Professional Development”
California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University,
Los Angeles, CA. February 21, 2013
Introduction to Projective Drawings: House-Tree-Person

• Guest lecturer in a graduate school course “Psychodiagnostic Assessment”
California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University,
Los Angeles, CA. January 28, 2009
Counseling Middle Eastern Americans

• Guest lecturer in a graduate school course on multi-cultural considerations,
California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University,
Los Angeles, April 21, 2008

Non-peer reviewed publications:

Safvati, N. (2009). Prenatal drug use: effects on the mother-child dyad. The California
Psychologist. 42(4), 30-31Page 8 of 9
 

Languages:
Native Farsi speaker, including medical and psychological terms
Basic conversational Spanish
 

Training Certificates and Evidenced Based Practices:
 

Autism Diagnostic Observation System, Second Edition
May 2013
 

Sensory Processing Measure and Sensory Processing Measure-Preschool Quick Tips
April 2014

Child Parent Psychotherapy
Therapist and Supervisor, Certified – January 2014
 

Goal-Oriented Assessment of Lifeskills (GOAL) Train the Trainer
January 2014
 

Managing and Adapting Practices
Therapist, Certified – June 2013
Supervisor, Trained – June 2013
 

Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
Therapist, Certified – November 2012
Supervisor, Trained – May 2013
Positive Parenting Program
Certified – June 2012
Basic Applied Behavioral Analysis Training for
treatment of Autism Spectrum disorders
October 2011
 

Professional Affiliations:
National Association of School Psychologists
Affiliate Member since 2014
American Board of Professional Psychology
 

Early Entry Applicant 2011
American Psychological Association
 

Member since 2008
-Division 38, Health Psychology
-Division 54, Society of Pediatric PsychologyPage 9 of 9
 

California Psychological Association
Member Since 2008

-Division 1, Clinical and Professional Practice
-Division 2, Education and Training
 

Los Angeles County Psychological Association
Member since 2008
 

Leadership Service:
Sinai Temple Sisterhood
Retreat Committee Member 2011
 

California Psychological Association
Division I CPAGS Representative 2008-2009
Alliant International University, Los Angeles
Student Government Association
Chair 2010-2011
Co-Chair 2009-2010
Heath Emphasis Representative 2008-2009
 

Alliant International University, Los Angeles
Campus Leadership Team
Student Representative 2008-2009
 

Middle Eastern Psychological Association
Alliant International University
Co-Chair 2008-2011
 

References:

1. Adam W. Sternberg, Psy.D. adams@lacgc.org
Access and Wellness Services Director (323) 766-2345 X2315
Los Angeles Child Guidance Clinic

2. Kristine Santoro, Ph.D. ksantoro@didihirsch.org
Vice President of Innovation (818) 244-7257
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services

2. Lydia Luna, Ph.D. drluna@calpsychcare.com
Regional Clinical Director
California Psychcare, Inc.