Dr. Whillma Quenicka, PhD, RAS
Clinical Psychologist PSY 30598
Registered Addiction Specialist Q0912032016
Introduction
Welcome to Recovery and a Healing Journey. Thank you for considering therapy as I know that for many people, therapy can be scary. I am proud of you for being courageous, for reaching out for help and for making a decision to start being more in charge of your present life.
I love and enjoy being a Clinical Psychologist. It is such a pleasure and great honor to witness the personal healing journey and life transformations that many of my clients have experienced. I am humbled and inspired by the human resilience and perseverance my clients show.
I am a CA-licensed Clinical Psychologist, a trained EMDR therapist, and a Registered Addiction Specialist. My passion is to work with adolescents, young adults, and adult clients who struggle with trauma, anxiety, depression, adjustment disorders and substance use disorders and are now motivated to unfold their strength and potential so they can live more adaptively and have rewarding fulfilling lives. I do not believe that we are our past or that we are what happened to us.
My Background
I was born and raised in Indonesia. I moved to the United States in my late teen-early adulthood due to political turmoil and monetary crisis in my home country. I fluently speak Indonesian, Sundanese, and English. I am currently learning Spanish. As someone with multicultural background (Chinese Dutch Indonesian) married to a Latino, I know that our cultural lenses shape our world view and influence how we function. One’s mental illness and mental health is highly influenced by biopsychosocial factors including cultural embedded beliefs and values.
Through my personal struggles during a tumultuous time, I have learned that having the right mindset and attitude can determine the trajectory of our life. While we cannot change the past, we all have a choice on how to respond to our circumstances adaptively and effectively.
Treatment Approach
My clinical work primarily focuses on individual strength, trauma informed care, and evidence-based approaches including EMDR, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Trauma Focused CBT. I also utilize Motivational Interviewing, Person-Centered, and Positive Psychology approaches. I emphasize recovery principles such as strength based, resiliency, empowerment, and hope.
I am trained in the following Evidence Based Practices: EMDR, TFCBT, MIT/MET, Seven Challenges, UCLA Matrix for Methamphetamine Use Disorder Treatment, and Seeking Safety for PTSD and Substance Use Disorder treatment.
My training includes the following: residential treatment for adults with severe mental illness; intensive outpatient treatment for adults with substance use disorder and co-occurring disorders; juvenile justice facility (Ventura County juvenile drug court and mental health court), group home, Brain Injury Center of Ventura County; neuropsychology private practice, and school and field based treatment for children/adolescent/adult in Los Angeles County.
Education
Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, CA
PhD Clinical Psychology 2016
M.A. Clinical Psychology 2013
California Lutheran University (CLU), Thousand Oaks, CA
M.S. Clinical Psychology 2010
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Los Angeles, CA
B.A. Psychology with College Honors 2004
Santa Barbara City College, Santa Barbara, CA
1. A.A. Business Administration with Honors 2000
2. A.A. Economics with Honors 2000
3. A.A. Liberal Studies pre-transfer with Honors 2001
4. A.A. Liberal Studies general with Honors 2000
Scholarships/Honors:
1. President Honor Rolls 1999-2001
2. Dean’s list 1999-2001
3. Adopt-A student Scholarship 2001
4. International Student Scholarship 2001
5. Jack-Halloran Memorial Scholarship 2001
6. Industrial Business Society Scholarship 2001
Abstract Publications/Professional Presentations:
Quenicka, W., McGoldrick, K., Bennett, T. L., & Soper, H. V. (2012). [Abstract published in Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology. 27(6), 682]. Level of functioning trajectories of executive functioning performance over the lifespan. Based upon poster presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Nashville, TN
Quenicka, W., McGoldrick, K., Bennett, T. L., & Soper, H. V. (2012). [Abstract published in Applied Neuropsychology, 19.] Age trajectory of neuropsychological performance: Verbal and visual episodic memory. Based upon poster presented at the 4th Annual American College of Professional Neuropsychology Conference. Las Vegas, NV
Bennett, T. L., Quenicka, W., McGoldrick, K., & Soper, H. V. (2012). [Abstract published in Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology. 27(6), 688]. Level of functioning trajectory of neuropsychological performance over the lifespan: Impairment Rating and Verbal Skills. Based upon poster presented at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Nashville, TN
Bennett, T. L., Quenicka, W., McGoldrick, K., & Soper, H. V. (2012). [Abstract published in Applied Neuropsychology, 19.] Age trajectory of neuropsychological performance: Sensory/Motor functioning. Based upon poster presented at the 4th Annual American College of Professional Neuropsychology Conference. Las Vegas, NV
McGoldrick, K., Bennett, T. L., Quenicka, W., Daneshi, K., & Soper, H. V. (2012). [Abstract published in Applied Neuropsychology, 19.] Age trajectory of neuropsychological performance: Executive functions and attention. Based upon poster presented at the 4th Annual American College of Professional Neuropsychology Conference. Las Vegas, NV
Bennett, T. L., McGoldrick, K., Quenicka, W., & Soper, H. V. (2012). [Abstract published in Applied Neuropsychology, 19.] Age trajectory of neuropsychological performance: Impairment rating and verbal skills. Based upon poster presented at the 4th Annual American College of Professional Neuropsychology Conference. Las Vegas, NV
Mission Statement
My goal is to provide hope, healing, and positive attitude, to empower my clients to take charge of their lives. I believe that we are not a product of our circumstances, but we are a product of our decisions. I empower my clients with knowledge about boundaries setting by focusing on things that they can control and change, and on how to build adaptive coping strategies.
I can help you identify and process unhealed wounds or unresolved issues. I am committed to assist my clients by showing them how to shift their mind set, make attitude adjustments, and to create a more balanced expectation.
Treatment Philosophy
It is my belief that the therapeutic alliance is essential in providing a transformative experience in the healing process. I am very convinced that people can and will get better when they learn how to successfully address unhealed wounds by safely processing difficult emotions and unpleasant thoughts and by learning adaptive coping skills in a safe, therapeutic, warm, non-judgmental environment.
“Out of your vulnerabilities will come your strength.” -Sigmund Freud
“Therapy should be relationship-driven, not theory-driven.” -Irvin Yalom
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” –Maya Angelou
“Chance favors the prepared mind” -Louis Pasteur
Thank you for your courage.
Thank you for your trust.
Thank you for reaching out.
Introductory cash rate for EMDR $160/ 1 hour session
