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Fernando A.

Fernando A.

Jr. Copywriter

Followers of Fernando A.1000 followers
location of Fernando A.Pasadena, California, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Psychologist, Edutainer, Consultant

  • Education

    • University of Southern California

      1999 - 2002
      Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Film & Video Production

      Activities and Societies: Won scholarships from the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts and Institute for the Humane Studies. Wrote, directed, and produced several short films.

    • University of Notre Dame

      1987 - 1991
      Bachelor of Arts (BA) Government (Politics, Philosophy, & Economics Concentration)

      Activities and Societies: Ideas & Issues, Co-Chair ($30K speaker budget). Anthropos, Founder (philosophical discussion group). Intramural hockey and basketball.

    • Institute for the Psychological Sciences

      2009 - 2011
      Master of Science (MS) Clinical Psychology

      Activities and Societies: Student Leadership Award Produced promotional and fundraising videos.

    • University of Mississippi

      2013 - 2016
      Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Clinical Psychology

      Activities and Societies: 3-Day ACT Workshop, July 2015, Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu, HI. 3-Day Cognitive Processing Therapy Training, October 2014, Naval Medical Center, San Diego. 1-Day Motivational Interviewing Workshop, September 2014, San Diego VA Red Cross Disaster Response Training, April 2012, Oxford, MS 2-day ACT Workshop led by co-founder Kelly Wilson, Ph.D., July 2012, Washington D.C. Developed a brief effective treatment to significantly reduce symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, primarily by targeting alexithymia, avoidance, acceptance, and cognitive restructuring.

    • University of Mississippi

      2011 - 2013
      Master of Arts (MA) Clinical Psychology

      Thesis focused on identifying behavioral explanations for why early attachment styles are generally persistent across the life span. Maternal warmth with protectiveness predicted secure attachment as well as emotion regulation skills, and these predicted less loneliness and overall better social functioning.

  • Experience

    • Weston / Mason

      Jun 1994 - May 1995
      Jr. Copywriter

      Wrote print and radio ads and collateral, and press releases for large real estate developers in Southern California and Nevada such as Trimark Development Company. Won an award for a brochure for a housing development I cannot remember anymore but still have the brochure in my portfolio somewhere.

    • Bernard Hodes Group

      Jan 1995 - Jan 1998
      Copywriter

      Wrote copy for internet, radio, and print advertising and collateral. Helped win new business (Hewlett Packard, Honda, Disney). Won a diversity award for a Honda ad.

    • Once Upon A Time Films

      Jan 2003 - Jan 2007
      Director of Development

      Associate Producer (2005-2006)Initiated and coordinated the writing, production, and delivery of the film, Fighting the Odds: The Marilyn Gambrell Story for Lifetime Television.Manager of Development (2004-2005)Supported the development and production of 8 made-for-TV movies and mini-series including Broken Trail starring Robert Duvall and Thomas Hayden Church. Assistant to Stanley M. Brooks (2003-2004)Supported the development and production of 8 made-for-TV movies. Show less

    • Hero Pictures

      Feb 2007 - Dec 2008
      VP of Development

      Oversaw the acquisition and improvement of feature-length screenplays. Networked to present projects to Studios, Networks and Independents. Produced a reality show pilot. Worked with Oscar-winning and Oscar-nominated writers and directors.

    • John Paul the Great Catholic University

      Mar 2007 - Jun 2007
      Adjunct Faculty

      Taught Media Product Development (Spring Quarter 2007).

    • American University

      Jun 2009 - Aug 2010
      Adjunct Faculty

      Writing for Visual Media (Fall 2009, 2010).Scripting the Short Film (Summer 2009, 2010).Screenwriting and production course for high school students (Summer 2009).

    • Fortis College

      Jun 2011 - Aug 2011
      Instructor

      Taught two introductory psychology courses (Summer 2011)

    • Psychological Services Center, University of Mississippi

      Jun 2012 - May 2014
      Graduate Therapist

      Provided evidence-based therapies for individuals with anxiety and mood disorders, and for couples.Co-launched a summer Social Skills Group for children with autism spectrum disorders. Sought additional training experiences with experts in ACT, motivational enhancement, parent training, and behavioral medicine primarily treating anxiety disorders.

    • Region IV Crisis Stabilization Unit

      Aug 2012 - Jul 2013
      Psychology Trainee

      Led group therapy sessions and provided individual therapy to individuals suffering from conditions such as suicidality, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bipolar, personality disorders, and/or detoxing from substance abuse or dependence.

    • The Baptist Children's Village

      Aug 2013 - May 2014
      Psychology Trainee

      Provided cognitive, achievement, and behavioral assessments, treatment planning, and individual therapy for residents ages 4-19. Provided two training seminars for the “house parents”. Helped a dysfunctional family learn to communicate effectively; they reconciled and stopped legal proceedings.

    • San Diego Va Health Care Syst

      Jul 2014 - May 2015
      Psychology Trainee

      Military Sexual/Interpersonal Trauma ClinicImplemented Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT; group and individual formats) for Veterans with PTSD secondary to sexual and other interpersonal trauma. Obtained CPT provider status (pending licensure).Recruited and co-led a year-round skills group for male victims of sexual trauma. Attended weekly PTSD Seminar.Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program Focused on improving case conceptualization and in-session mindfulness and flexibility.Provided transdiagnostic CBT treatments to Veterans suffering from mood and anxiety disorders.Co-led a DBT-informed Skills group for Veterans with anxiety, mood, and substance use disorders.Attended weekly Evidence-Based Practices Seminar. Show less

    • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

      Jun 2015 - Jun 2016
      Clinical Psychology Intern

      Served on a Behavioral Health Interdisciplinary Program team implementing DBT, ACT, and other CBTs, as well as providing video-based telehealth to Veterans on remote islands with PTSD, mood, anxiety, and personality disorders. From Jan-June 2016 I delivered treatments to homeless Veterans as well as with the Psychiatric Evaluation & Treatment Team and with Veteran couples in distress.

    • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

      Sept 2016 - Aug 2017
      Psychology Fellow

      Postdoctoral residency focused on differential diagnosis and treatment of psychoses including comorbid with PTSD, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.

    • Neighborhood Healthcare

      Sept 2017 - Apr 2019
      Clinical Psychologist

    • U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

      Apr 2019 - Sept 2019
      Clinical Psychologist

      Served as a consultant to primary care providers and provided same-day and short-term therapy for patients with anxiety, depression, PTSD, grief/loss, insomnia, and helped with management of diabetes, smoking cessation, liver problems, and other conditions.

    • Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Metrocare

      Oct 2019 - Nov 2020
      Clinical Psychologist

      Worked with Veterans and their family members on issues like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and career and relationship improvements.

    • BellaMentum PLLC

      Nov 2019 - Dec 2021
      Clinical Psychologist

    • Crossover Health

      Nov 2020 - Nov 2022
      Clinical Psychologist

      Truly meeting the needs of individuals by offering multiple service lines who all coordinate on care.

    • Incapables.org

      Jun 2022 - now
      Founder

      I explore creative ways to address our widespread and ever-increasing societal mental health needs.

    • Consigliere of Philosophy .com

      Jul 2022 - now
      Consigliere

      Inner beauty and peace promoter. Discreet services, no threat to privacy or security clearances. Sharing ancient and modern knowledge and experience from clinical psychology, philosophy, film and media production, advertising, and many years of personal and family mentoring.

    • Www.FreshLearnFern.org

      Jan 2023 - now
      Trainer in Trauma Recovery, Stress Management, and More

      So much helpful knowledge is buried in books. I share the best of so you can enjoy better living through materials and experiences that are clear, efficient, and effective.

    • Mid-Hudson Forensic Psychiatric Center

      Mar 2023 - Jul 2023
      Licensed Psychologist

      I provided professional psychological services for justice-involved male adults at this maximum security hospital. Duties include forensic and court-ordered assessment, and providing group and individual treatment.

    • California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Healthcare Services

      Sept 2023 - now
      Clinical Psychologist

      Promote curiosity and change. Re-evaluations. Provide human and humane support. Reduce staff burnout. Foster hope. Build endurance for human weakness. Promote thriving under any circumstance.

  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Licensed Psychologist

      University of the State of New York Education Departmen
      Feb 2021

    • Licensed Psychologist

      California Board Of Psychology
      Aug 2017