Alicia Avila is a renowned EMDR Institute,trainer and consultant with over 30 years of experience in teaching and counseling. Selected and trained to be an EMDR trainer by Dr. Francine Shapiro, Alicia brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her trainings. As an immigrant and bilingual therapist, she provides a unique and inclusive perspective to her teaching. Participants find her ability to articulate, organize and simplify EMDR truly refreshing
“Introduction to EMDR Psychotherapy” Webinar, Behavioral Health Education Training Academy (BHETA)
“Mood Disorders in Co-Occurring Disorders” McAlister Institute, San Diego, CA
“Engagement and Assessment: Dual Diagnosis. Cultural Competency Academy Direct Service Latino Culture ”; San Diego County CADRE, Behavioral Health Education and Training Academy (BHETA)
“EMDR Basic Training” UCSD Co-occurring Disorders Program & Veterans Affairs Hospital, San Diego, Fremont Community Therapy Project , Seattle, WA (EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs) & YWCA, San Diego (EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs)
“Targeting Oppression: Engendering Empowerment”; Panel Presentation; Orange County, EMDR International Association Annual Conference
“Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a therapy model; Overview and Introduction”; UCSD Department of Psychiatry, Resident Seminar
“EMDR Trauma Treatment for Individuals with Addictive or Compulsive Behaviors”; Olympia, WA & San Diego
“Domestic Violence; Identification and Interventions”; Stepping Higher
“Crisis Intervention and Co-occurring Disorders”; McAlister Institute
“Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) as a therapy model; Overview and Introduction”; UCSD Department of Psychiatry, Resident Seminar
“PTSD in Substance Abuse Treatment”; McAlister Institute
“Domestic Violence in Substance Abuse Treatment”; McAlister Institute
“Personality Disorders in Substance Abuse Treatment”; McAlister Institute
“Co-Occurring Disorders in the Older Adult”; San Diego County, Behavioral Health Education and Training Academy (BHETA)
“Co-Occurring Disorders in Adults”; San Diego County, Behavioral Health Education and Training Academy (BHETA)
“Cultural Competence Through Workforce Diversity: Promises and Challenges”; Panel presentation with Andres Sciolla, MD, Fernando Ortiz, PhD, Rolando Castillo, PhD, and Bernardo M. Ferdman, PhD; Cultural Competence & Mental Health Summit XV, San Diego, CA
“Crisis Intervention in Co-occurring Disorders”; UCSD Extension, Guest Speaker
“Working with Co-Occurring Disorders; Introduction to the Comprehensive, Continuous, Integrated, System of Care Model (CCISC)”; San Diego County, Behavioral Health Education and Training Academy (BHETA)
“Personality Disorders in Substance Abuse Treatment”; McAlister Institute
“ILSA: Conducting an Integrated, Longitudinal, Strengths Based Assessment for Co-Occurring Disorders”; San Diego County CADRE, Behavioral Health Education and Training Academy (BHETA)
“Psychotic Disorders and Substance Abuse”; McAlister Institute
“Co-Occurring Disorders; Best Practices”; San Diego State University, School of Social Work MSW class guest lecturer (Professor Mathiesen)
“Co-occurring Disorders and Diagnosis”; San Diego State University, School of Social Work MSW class guest lecturer (Professor Barrio)
“Dual Diagnosis: Pragmatic Primer to engage the Underserved”; UCSD CCARTA: Making it Work.
“Changing the World in San Diego: CCISC Implementation”; APA 57th Institute on Psychiatric Services, San Diego CA
“Integrated Co-Occurring Disorders Treatment in a Medical Model Outpatient Setting”; United States Psychosocial Rehabilitation Association (USPRA)
“Triple Diagnosis”; Physical & Behavioral Health Coordination Conference & County Mental Health Inpatient Psychiatric Unit
“Working with Co-Occurring Disorders”; YMCA
“The Integrated Treatment Model For Co-Occurring Disorders”; UCSD Department of Psychiatry; Psychiatry resides crash course
“Working with Co-Occurring Disorders” PC1210 Probation Department
“Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Older Adults”; NCADD
“CCISC Integrated Treatment Model”; UCSD Outpatient Psychiatric Services
“Access To Care For Severe Mental Illness”; UCSD Undergraduate class guest lecturer
Community Forum Panel, Proposition 36/PC1210 San Diego, CA
“Integrated Treatment For Dual Diagnosis”; UCSD Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds & UCSD Department of Psychiatry; Psychiatry resides crash course
“Co-Occurring Disorders”; Substance Abuse Summit VIII & VIII & San Diego County Meeting of the Minds & San Diego Downtown Mental Health & Volunteers of America Staff Training & San Diego, California Society of Clinical Social Workers, San Diego Chapter Monthly Educational Meeting
“Terminating Therapy”; UCSD Outpatient Psychiatric Services
“Delivery of Integrated Services for Dual Diagnosis Clients”; SD County Health and Human Services Association
“Teaching Aspects: Managing Classroom Behavior with Dual Diagnosis Population”; SD County Alcohol and Drug Services
“UCSD Dual Diagnosis Pilot Program”; SD County presentation
“Crisis Intervention”; UCSD Outpatient Psychiatric Services
“Dual Diagnosis; a case presentation”; UCSD Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds
Private Practice, 2006-Present
Bilingual and Bi-cultural Psychotherapist. Provide individual therapy to adults with a wide range of presenting problems; from severe mental illness to psychosocial stressors. Specializing in trauma, multicultural issues, LGBT, trauma, and co-occurring disorders.
EMDR Institute, 2007-Present
EMDR Trainer 2017-Present
Facilitator. 2007-2016
EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Program, Trauma Recovery 2007-2015
EMDR Trainer. Provide EMDR Basic Training to clinicians working for non-profit agencies throughout the US.
San Diego Youth Services, Counseling Cove, 2010-Present
EMDR Consultant.
EMDR International Association, 2007-Present
EMDRIA Approved Trainer, Consultant and certified therapist. Consultation on the use of EMDR to EMDR trained clinicians. Provided EMDR Fidelity check on Spanish speaking EMDR sessions for Adler-Tapia and Settle Fidelity study, 2007. Served on the standards and Training Committee.
Academy of Professional Excellence, Behavioral Health Education and Training Academy (BHETA), 2007-2016
Contracted Trainer. Conduct clinical training to San Diego County Behavioral Health System to increase competency in recovery, assessment, and treatment, and cultural competence.
McAlister Institute, 1997-2012
Contracted Trainer. Develop and conduct training for recovery counselors and other mental heath clinicians on a range of clinical topics related to Co-Occurring Disorders.
University of California, San Diego; Department of Psychiatry, Outpatient Psychiatric Services, 2001-2011
Clinical Instructor. Provide Clinical Supervision and Training for the Outpatient Psychiatric Services.
Community Connections: Gemini House and Affirmation House, 2010
Contracted Clinical Consultant. Weekly consultation to staff for medium intensity clients who have co-occurring disorders
San Diego State University, School of Social Work, Spring 2009 Semester
Lecturer. SWORK 620 Human Development Through the Lifespan
University of Phoenix, 2006-2009
Clinical Instructor for Mental Health and Crisis Intervention, Field Experience, and Psychopharmacology
University of California, San Diego; Outpatient Psychiatric Services, 1996-2007
Trainer and speaker: Conduct annual grand rounds for the department of psychiatry, school of medicine, seminars for a variety of staff and trainees, guest lecture at medical school undergraduate course, UCSD career services, trainings at various mental health, alcohol and drug, and other social service agencies. Speaker at local and national conferences including; “Meeting of the Minds”, “The Substance Abuse Summit”, and the “International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation”. Oversee and conduct annual National Alcohol Screening Day and related community education.
Bilingual and Bi-cultural Therapist 1996-2007. Co-investigator for UCSD San Diego EXPORT Center Pilot Study; EMDR to decrease HIV risk behaviors among Latino men who have sex with men. 2005-2007
Program Manager. UCSD Co-Occurring Disorders Program 2000-2006. Lead and supervise multidisciplinary treatment team. Coordinate treatment, research and administrative procedures regarding treatment, professional education, and best practice research outcomes. Develop and modify clinic policy as a member of the UCSD OPS executive team. Develop programming and policy for clinic dual certification from the State Department of Alcohol and Drug Services, for proposition 36 diversion treatment, and drug MediCal services. Develop and implement policy, procedure, and training for dual diagnosis capability for the outpatient clinic and dual diagnosis enhancement status for the Co-occurring Disorders Program. Represent UCSD in collaborative committees with the San Diego County Health and Human Services departments to advice, develop and implement county wide dual diagnosis initiative (CCISC), proposition 36 diversion programs, and cultural competence oversight requirements. Chair of the dual diagnosis task-force recommendations subcommittee that led to the county dual diagnosis strategic plan. Co-chair of the CCISC program and policy subcommittee, working with the quality improvement department to develop county wide policy, as well as monitoring tools and implementation process. One of the founding CCISC Cadre co-chairs to develop an on-going meeting for county trained CCISC clinicians and administrators. County Cultural Competence Committee appointment advising the Mental Health Services Administration and the quality improvement department on cultural competence direct practice, administrative guidelines and training. Participate in the county alcohol and drug services implementation of proposition 36 drug treatment diversion initiatives. Assist in developing dual diagnosis policies and treatment guidelines, as well as specific screening and referral instruments.
SDSU MSW Field Instructor and MSW Internship Coordinator, 1999-2001
Catholic Charities; Pregnancy, Parenting, and Adoptions, 1995-1997
Bilingual Caseworker. Counseling single mothers, and single pregnant women planning to parent or make an adoption plan. Facilitate house meetings for single mothers’ residence. Administered certification reviews including home safety inspections. Conducted adoptive post placement visits and adoption seminars.
Mental Health Systems; Kinesis South Day Rehabilitation Program, 1995-1996
MSW Intern. Provide Individual and group therapy. Milieu psychosocial rehabilitation.
The Salvation Army; Escondido Family Services, 1994-1995
Bilingual Caseworker. Counseling, crisis intervention, case management, and advocacy for low-income families. Community and staff presentations, hire, and supervise Christmas program coordinator and workers. Prepare and deliver monthly statistical reports, budget, and feature stories at advisory board meetings.
Center for Community Solutions, 1994-1996
Rape Crisis Hotline and Project Safe-house Volunteer. Crisis counseling, advocacy, and follow-up services to hotline callers. Group counselor for domestic violence shelter.
University of California, San Diego; Sexual Assault and Violence Prevention, 1993-1994
Peer Educator and Program Assistant. Presentations to educate students, staff, and parents on sexual assault prevention.
National Association of Social Workers Member, 1997-Present
California Society of Clinical Social Workers; Member, 1997-2015
California Society of Clinical Social Workers; State Board of Directors and San Diego Steering Committee Member, 2009-2015
Eye Movement, Desensitization, and Reprocessing International Association; Standards and Training Committee, 2008-2012
Eye Movement, Desensitization, and Reprocessing International Association; Approved Consultant and Member, 2007-Present
Eye Movement, Desensitization and Reprocessing Humanitarian Assistance Program Volunteer and Trainer, 2007-2016
San Diego, CCISC CADRE, Comprehensive Continuous Integrated System of Care, Founding Co-chair and Committee member, 2002-2014
Appointed to County Mental Health Cultural Competence Resource Team, 2004-2007
San Diego County Dual Diagnosis Task-force; Recommendations Subcommittee Chair, 2000-2002
Community Health Improvement Partners Committee, 2000-2006
University of California, San Diego, Outpatient Psychiatric Services Cultural Competence Committee, 2005
EMDRIA Approved Trainer, Consultant, and Certified Clinician
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, State of California, Board of Behavioral Sciences, LCS#19899, 2000
Master Degree in Social Work, San Diego State University, 1997
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of California, San Diego, 1994; Latin American Studies Minor
Clinical Social Worker of the Year, California Society for Clinical Social Work, San Diego, 2013
Community Champion: Diversity Award, University of California, San Diego, 2004
Mental Health Honoree, University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Outpatient Psychiatric Services, 2003
