Dr. Gina Atencio-MacLean
Licensed Clinical Psychologist in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Dr. Atencio-MacLean is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist (PSY 28555) and the author of Overcoming Oppositional Defiant Disorder: A two-part treatment plan to help parents and kids work together. She has specialty experience providing therapeutic services to children, adolescents and adults.
Gina has been trained to treat a broad spectrum of problems including anxiety disorders (e.g., social anxiety, OCD, phobias, PTSD, panic disorder, generalized anxiety), perfectionism, parenting matters, depression, and disruptive behaviors in children. She has also been trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy.
APPROACH TO TREATMENT
Dr. Atencio-MacLean utilizes a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) approach to treatment. CBT has been extensively researched and is considered the “gold standard” in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. As a therapist and a scholar, Dr. Atencio-MacLean believes strongly in providing treatment that not only has strong research support but that is also practical, active, goal-directed, skills-based, and short-term. Through her warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative treatment style, she hopes to create a comfortable place where clients are able to make lasting, significant change in their lives. Gina believes in focusing on client strengths and building upon those in treatment.
In her downtime, she enjoys chasing after her rambunctious little one, spending time with her family and dogs, Maxwell and Sullivan. Max and Sully, as they are better known, have even joined her practice as therapy dogs.
BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION
Dr. Atencio-MacLean holds a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Azusa Pacific University and is a licensed clinical psychologist in California. She completed clinical training in the outpatient, intensive inpatient, school-based, and forensic settings while working with clients from ages 4 to 90+ with diagnoses ranging from anxiety and depression to psychotic spectrum disorders. Her research interests include child trauma and the impact of traumatic experiences across the lifespan, as well as parenting concerns and oppositional behaviors in children and teens. She is the author of the recently published book, Overcoming Oppositional Defiant Disorder: A two-part treatment plan to help parents and kids work together.
In addition to her work as a Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Atencio-MacLean has worked as an adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University, teaching and providing clinical training at the doctorate level.