Uncovering Trauma: Working with Children with PTSD

Dr. Monica Powers enjoys helping people discover themselves, their personal resilience and rewrite their stories to ones of survival and strength. In addition to her new role at Center for Discovery, she is currently in private practice at Carlson & Associates as a Psychological Assistant to Dr. Bobbi Carlson, PSY5589. She began working with patients of all ages and backgrounds in 2007, and found that the life stories and experiences of people were unique and personal, and deserved individual attention and support. She has worked in the community based setting, with adolescents and adults ranging from 18 to 80, struggling with psychological issues, relationship difficulties, substance abuse, grief and loss, and traumatic experiences. Her interests lie in working with individuals that have experienced a traumatic event, either personally or on a global perspective. This interest was carried in her dissertation work with survivors of Hurricane Katrina, focusing on individual strengths and resilience.

Dr. Powers completed her bachelor’s degree studies in Criminal Justice and Psychology at California State University Bakersfield, and she holds a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Phoenix. She received her doctorate in Applied Clinical Psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2013. During this time, she completed her practicum and internships at Tarzana Treatment Center and AV Department of Mental Health respectively. Upon completion of internship, she immediately began her Post-doctoral fellowship at a growing dual diagnosis treatment center, where she remained in a number of roles for over 3 years. She has recently also begun teaching at Antioch University and The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She enjoys working with diverse populations, travel, and concert going.