Professional info

Jennifer Lai is a fourth year student in the clinical psychology doctoral program at Palo Alto University, with an emphasis in neuropsychology.  She attended the University of California at Berkeley and completed bachelors degrees in Integrative Biology and Psychology. Jennifer has been involved in several research laboratories including the Golden Bear Sleep and Mood Research Clinic, investigating sleep architectures of insomnia, and the National Center of PTSD Dissemination and Training Division, examining the efficacy of an online training for clinicians treating PTSD. For her dissertation, Jennifer is working with Dr. Jim Moses to identify cognitive constructs and demographic variables that may be associated with the different error types made by military veterans who complete the Benton Visual Retention Test. More broadly, Jennifer aims to improve clinical tools and knowledge through research so that clinicians can make better informed diagnoses of different cognitive issues that are often comorbid with other psychiatric or medical factors.

Within the Substance and Anxiety Intervention Laboratory, Jennifer is working with Dr. Adrienne Heinz conducting neuropsychological and psychiatric assessments as part of a randomized controlled study examining the impact of a mobile, neuroscience-based cognitive remediation intervention for Veterans with PTSD and co-morbid alcohol use disorder.

Jennifer’s clinical interests include providing neuropsychological assessments and cognitive remediation therapy.  She is also interested in acquired brain injuries and neurodevelopmental disorders. She has clinical experience co-leading social skills groups for children with Autism and providing psychotherapy for adolescents and their families. Jennifer’s current practicum is at the Psychological Assessment Unit at VA Palo Alto, with primary responsibilities involving conducting assessments and providing CRATER cognitive remediation therapy to veterans with cognitive deficits.