Hello,
my name
is
Gopi Karishma Bhakta
I am a dedicated clinical psychology doctoral student, currently working as a neuropsychometrist at both the Neurology Center of Fairfax and Neuropsychology Associates of Fairfax. My deep passion lies in working with children, and I have a strong interest in the fields of neuropsychology, forensic psychology, trauma, and health/medical psychology. I am thrilled to share that starting in August 2023, I will be embarking on a therapy practicum at Mind Body Connection, Inc., where I am excited to further develop my skills and contribute to the well-being of individuals seeking support.
Education
Current | PsyD Clinical Psychology - The Chicago School of
Professional Psychology, D.C.
2022 | M.A. Clinical Psychology - The Chicago School of
Professional Psychology, D.C.
2019 | B.A. Psychology - University of Texas at San Antonio
Minor: Business Administrations
Research Experiences
Research Assistant
Department of Psychology – Social Psychology
University of Texas at San Antonio
2018-2018
Responsibilities: I assisted Dr. Bray in researching the biases in transgender communities and why they are created. My responsibilities included data collection, data entry, surveying participants, thesis writing, & data analysis.
Research Assistant
Department of Psychology – Neuropsychology
University of Texas at San Antonio
2018-2018
Responsibilities: I assisted Dr. Swan in researching the prevalence of vestibular dysfunctions and their associations with TBI in 9/11 Veterans. My responsibilities included data collection, SPSS data entry, data analysis, & report writing with a group of students.
Dissertation
Clinical Psychology, PsyD Program
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Washington, D.C.
2021-CURRENT
Topic: Shame and Guilt in the Parents and Caregivers of Children with Epilepsy.
Work Experiences
ASSISTANT – PSYCHIATRY DEPARTMENT
MOTI AAROGYA DHAM CLINIC
JANUARY 2019 – AUGUST 2019
Responsibilities: Working with several mental health counselors and psychiatrists in the area. Learned forms of therapy and psychopharmacology in treating substance abuse disorders, personality disorders, and learning disabilities. Witnessed the administration of the Rorschach Assessment on adolescents.
MENTAL HEALTH COACH
FULSHEAR TREATMENT TO TRANSITION
AUGUST 2019 – AUGUST 2020
Responsibilities: Worked with women who were in treatment for substance abuse, personality disorders, learning disabilities, trauma-related disorders, and attachment disorders. Created relationships with clients, generate treatment plans with their therapists, and aided them in creating healthy relationships, coping mechanisms, and having a healthy lifestyle. Observed C-SSRS, MMPI-2, and Myers-Briggs assessments on adolescents.
CRISIS MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT
CLINILAB PANAMA
NOVEMBER 2020 – JULY 2021
Responsibilities Identifying, assessing, and intervening in crisis situations in the mental health and emergency departments. Developing intervention strategies and trainings for staff. Also, able to shadow psychiatrist when she assesses patients using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), Myers-Briggs, and AAMR Adaptive Behavior Scales (ABS-II).
PSYCHOMETRIST
NEUROLOGY CENTER OF FAIRFAX, LTD
SEPTEMBER 2022-CURRENT
Responsibilities Administering, scoring, and interpretation of cognitive tests for older adults with traumatic brain injury, neurological disorders, behavioral disorders, etc.
Externships / Internships Experience
PRE-DOCTORAL CLINICAL EXTERN
NEUROPSYCHOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF FAIRFAX, LLC
(CURRENT)
Assessment externship – observing clinical interviews, administering neuropsychological assessments, scoring assessments, and writing reports of patient’s test results, brainstorming diagnosis for patients, and providing recommendations for treatment.
Activities / Volunteer Experience
2018: Volunteering at South Texas Veterans Health Care Systems
Volunteered in the neuropsychology department – witnessed administration of assessments for PTSD and trauma. Studied neurological and psychological patterns in Veterans who had been deployed to conflict zones in Afghanistan.
2019: Volunteered at an orphanage in Ambaji, Gujarat (India) for the physically and mentally disabled children.
Learned how communication skills with children and adolescents, my role was to teach them coping mechanisms and healthy living skills.
2020: Crisis Text Line: Crisis Counselor (Volunteer)
Trained in managing crisis over text: deescalating crisis situations, helping clients manage their anxiety, find further help if needed.
Skills
Academic presentations
Academic writing
Cognitive testing
Neuropsychological testing
Report writing
Crisis management
Problem-Solving
SPSS data entry
Fluent in: English, Spanish, Gujarati, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu.
Associations
2019-CURRENT: Student Member American Psychology Association
2019-CURRENT: Student Member Hispanic Neuropsychological Society
2021-2022: Executive Board Member
Neuropsychology Interest Group
(The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, D.C.)
2022-2023: President
Neuropsychology Interest Group
(The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, D.C.)