Alicia Danforth

About Alicia Danforth

When I started interviewing autistic adults for my dissertation, I discovered that I enjoyed hearing their stories and unique perspectives. I figured out quickly that most of the stereotypes that I had been taught about autism simply were not true. They were empathic, funny, authentic, and passionate about contributing to society in meaningful ways. I grew inspired to be of service as a psychologist to the “lost generation” of adults who were overlooked because their autistic traits were not readily apparent to others or because they did not have access to resources that were a good match for them in childhood. Many of my clients report that they were wounded by treatments that tried to make them \"less autistic.\" I celebrate the many ways that human brains are diverse, and I want to help you heal and live up to your full potential. Since 2011, I have been researching social anxiety in adults on the spectrum, and now I’m motivated to bring what I’ve learned into my community in the Silicon Valley. I also work with clients who are not autistic. Since 2006, I have worked in clinical research at the Lundquist Institute (formerly the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute) at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center on clinical studies of psilocybin-assisted therapy for adults with anxiety related to advanced-stage cancer and of MDMA-assisted therapy with autistic adults who experience social anxiety. Most recently, I was a lead clinician and supervisor for a clinical trial of psilocybin combined with group therapy at UC San Francisco for psychological distress and demoralization in long-term survivors of HIV/AIDS. I am certified in Trauma-Focused CBT and Focusing-Oriented Psychotherapy, and I am currently in training to become a certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist. I am also qualified to provide therapeutic support to individuals who have had difficult or powerfully transformative experiences with psychedelics. This type of aftercare is called integration work.

Experience

1. Researcher Clinical Psychologist

   The Lundquist Institute

   Sep 2021 — Present · Torrance, CA, US

Education

• University of California, San Diego

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

  1983 — 1986

• Institute of Transpersonal Psychology

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

  2008 — 2013

• University of Southern California

  Master of Arts (M.A.)

  1987 — 1989

Skills

• Mental Health Counseling
• Anxiety Management
• Psychology
• Mental Health
• Social Anxiety
• Clinical Research
• Treatment of Depression
• Psychotherapy
• Public Speaking
• Counseling Psychology
• Family Therapy
• Clinical Research Experience
• Therapists
• Stress Management
• Humanistic
• Transpersonal Psychology
• Integral
• Treatment
• Trauma Therapy
• Focusing-Oriented Therapy (Certified)
• Group Therapy
• Autistic Adults
• Mindfulness
• Research
• Clinical Psychology