Meet Dr. Atkinson

In 2020, I will be entering my 45th year of practice as a licensed psychologist.

There are many ways to define vocation, but for most people it simply identifies their hopes to be able to work in a job that they feel is their calling.

Throughout my years of professional practice, helping individuals make progress towards their own personal “vocation” has given me the most satisfaction and has sustained my excitement about my work. I found that serving as a senior clinician in a broad variety of psychological services somehow sharpened those interests. I eventually learned that my own “vocation” was to work in the field of “employability.”

My priority is to provide individualized attention and remain attentive to each client’s unique situation and needs.

My practice is currently limited to the assessment of factors affecting an individual’s future employability. Since 2007 I have practiced exclusively in litigation support services within canada for referrals from both plaintiff and defence counsel in personal injury, medical malpractice, long-term disability, and employment law resolution. Previous interests included assessment and case-management consultation to assist injured workers to re-enter competitive employment, or appropriate alternatives. I have practiced as a registered/ licensed psychologist in the fields of assessment psychology, community psychology, and rehabilitation psychology since 1975. In 1992, I was appointed to the medical expert panel (psychologist) of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Social Security Administration, Office of Disability Adjudication & Review to act as amicus curiae to U.S. Administrative Law Judges during formal disability appeals hearings.

A brief summary of my background: I received my Ph.D. In Clinical/Community Psychology from the University of Michigan in 1975. My certifications include:

  • Registered Psychologist, Certificate No. 3341, College Of Alberta Psychologists (2007 To Present)

  • Licensed Psychologist, Licence No. Psy 6801, California (1980 To Present; Currently On Inactive Status)

  • Registered Psychologist, Certificate No. 010030180, Indiana 1979 (previous)

  • Registered Psychologist, Certificate No. 1708, Michigan 1975 To 1979 (previous)

My professional experience includes:

  • Private Practice in Assessment Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology, San Luis Obispo, CA, 1980 – 2007

  • Officer, Psychological Consultants Inc., Santa Barbara, CA, 1992–1998

  • Head of Outpatient Psychological Assessment Services and Staff Psychologist, Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara, 1990 – 1998

  • Coordinator of Psychology Services, South Valley Ranch – Learning Services Corporation, Gilroy, CA, 1988 – 1989

  • Private Practice, Marshall, Michigan, 1979 – 1980

  • Executive Director, Calhoun Country Community Mental Health Center, Battle Creek, Michigan, 1976 – 1979

  • Associate Director, Michigan Association for Regional Medical Programs, East Lansing, Michigan, 1975 – 1976