EDUCATION

Alliant University
Master of Science, Clinical Psychopharmacology
2004 – 2006

Loma Linda University
Doctor of Philosophy, Clinical Psychology Minor Emphasis: Neuropsychology
1996 – 2002

Loma Linda University
Master of Arts Degree, Experimental Psychology
1996 – 1999

Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles
Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology
1994 – 1996

University of California, Santa Barbara
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
1989 – 1993

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 2012 – present: Chair Psychology Credentials Committee, Patton State Hospital
  • 2006 – present: Staff Neuropsychologist, Behavioral Health Institute; Behavioral Medicine Center – Loma Linda University Medical Center
  • 2004 – present: Staff Neuropsychologist, Patton State Hospital
  • 2012 – 2013: Assessment Supervisor, Loma Linda University Psychological Services Clinic
  • 2005 – 2009: Court-Appointed Medical Expert – Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino
  • 2000 – 2001: Clinic Associate – Psychological Services Clinic, Loma Linda University Duties include maintaining clinic database, program planning and program evaluation.
  • 2001: Manager – Assessment Library & Computer Lab, Loma Linda University Assisted students and coordinated day-to-day operations.
  • 1995 – 1996: Counselor – Wilshire West Group Home, Los Angeles Worked with court-referred adolescents to improve their behavior and social skills.
  • 1992 – 1994: Residential Instructor – St. Vincent’s Institution, Santa Barbara, CA Care provider for developmentally delayed children.

PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS

  • Glassmire, D., Toofanian-Ross, P., Kinney, D., & Nitch, S. (2014). Derivation and cross-validation of population-specific cutoff scores for patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders on WAIS-IV Digit Span-Based embedded effort measures. Assessment, manuscript accepted for publication.
  • Corbett, L., Bayan, S., Kinney, D., Nitch, S., & Williams, M. (2014). An exploratory analysis of performance on the California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT-II) in a forensic inpatient schizophrenia spectrum sample. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, manuscript submitted for publication.
  • Toofanian, P., Padula, C., Kinney, D., & Nitch, S.R. (2014). Cognition and Trial Competency Restoration: Using the RBANS as a Treatment Indicator for Patients Deemed Incompetent to Stand Trial. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 29(1), 150-165.
  • King, L., Bailie, J., Kinney, D., & Nitch, S.R. (2012). Is the RBANS factor structure appropriate for inpatient psychiatry? An exploratory higher order analysis. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 27 (12), 756-765.
  • Bailie, J., King, L., Kinney, D., & Nitch, S.R. (2012). The relationship between self-reported neuropsychological risk factors and RBANS test performance among forensically committed psychiatric inpatients. Applied Neuropsychology, 19 (4), 279-286.
  • Nitch, S.R., & Glassmire, D. (2007). Non-forced choice measures to detect noncredible cognitive performance. In K.B. Boone (Ed.), Assessment of feigned cognitive performance: A Neuropsychological Perspective. New York: The Guilford Press.
  • Nitch, S., Boone, K.B., Wen, J., Arnold, G., & Warner-Chacon. (2006). The utility of the Rey Word Recognition Test in the detection of suspect effort. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 20 (4), 873-887.
  • Arnold G., Boone K.B., Lu P., Dean A., Wen J., Nitch S., & McPherson S. (2005). Sensitivity and specificity of Finger Tapping scores for the detection of suspect effort. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 19 (1), 105-120.
  • Nitch, S.R., & Boone, K.B. (2004). Normal personality correlates of chronic pain subgroups. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 11 (3), 203-209.
  • Haviland, M. G., Warren, W. L., Riggs, M. L., & Nitch, S. R. (2001). Concurrent validity of two observer alexithymia measures. Journal of Psychosomatics, 43 (6), 472-477.
  • Morton, K. R., Worthley, J. S., Nitch, S. R., Lamberton, H. H., Loo, L. K., & Testerman, J. K. (2000). Integration of cognition and emotion: A postformal operations model of physician-patient interaction. Journal of Adult Development, 7 (3), 151-160.
  • Master’s Thesis – Loma Linda University (December 1999). Verbal, physiological, and behavioral responses to affectively laden images. Advisor: Paul Haerich, Ph.D.
  • Masters Thesis – Loyola Marymount University (June 1996). Causal attributions for two types of behavior: The effect of situational context, past behavior, and parental behavior on internal/external attributions. Advisor: Patricia R. Walsh, Ph.D.

PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS

  • Bayan, S. M., Aguilar, C., Kaminetskaya, M., Nitch, S., & Kinney, D. (2015, June). An Exploratory Analysis of CVLT-II Forced-Choice Recognition Base Rate for Forensically-Committed, Psychotic-Disordered Inpatients: Implications on Clinical Decision Making. Poster presented at the Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, San Francisco, CA.
  • Kaminetskaya, M., Bayan, S. M., Aguilar, C., Nitch S., & Kinney, D. (2015, June). Differences between Groups on the RBANS Effort Index in a Forensic Psychiatric Population Diagnosed with Psychotic Spectrum Disorders. Poster presented at the Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, San Francisco, CA.
  • Aguilar, C., Kaminetskaya, M., Bayan, S. M., Kinney, D., & Nitch, S. (2015, June). Performance on the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) Between Long Term and Short-Term Patients with Psychotic Spectrum Disorders in a Forensic Psychiatric Hospital. Poster presented at the Thirteenth Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, San Francisco, CA.
  • Padula, C.B., Toofanian-Ross, P., Nitch, S. & Kinney, D.I. (2015, February). Cognition and trial competency restoration: Using the RBANS as a treatment indicator for patients deemed incompetent to stand trial. Poster presented at the annual meeting of International Neuropsychological Society, Denver, CO.
  • Kinney, D. & Nitch, S. (2015, February). Cognition and Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorder within a Forensic Setting. Presented at the 22nd Annual Forensic Mental Health Conference, Patton, CA.
  • Nitch, S. (2014, September). Negative Response Bias. Lecture at LLU Behavioral Medicine Center, Redlands, CA.
  • Nitch, S. (2014, April). DSM-V Neurocognitive Disorders. Lecture at LLU Behavioral Medicine Center, Redlands, CA.
  • Nitch, S., & Kinney, D. (2014, April). DSM-V Neurocognitive Disorders. Presented at the Clinical Professional Issues Forum, Patton State Hospital, Patton, CA.
  • Nitch, S. (2013, September). Neuropsychological Consultation. Lecture at Patton State Hospital, Patton, CA.
  • Nitch, S. (2013, March). Insufficient Effort. Lecture at LLU Behavioral Medicine Center, Redlands, CA.
  • Nitch, S. (2011, September). Seizure Monitoring. Lecture at Patton State Hospital, Patton, CA.
  • Nitch, S., & Kinney, D. (2007, September). Psychiatric Neuropsychology in a Forensic Setting. Presented at 15th Annual Patton State Hospital Forensic Conference, Patton, CA.
  • Nitch, S., & Kinney, D. (2007, September). Neurocognitive screening in a psychiatric setting: An update. Continuing education seminar provided at Patton State Hospital, Patton, CA.
  • Kinney, D., & Nitch, S. (2007, August). Symptom recognition and differential diagnosis of brain encephalopathy. Continuing education seminar provided at Patton State Hospital, Patton, CA.
  • Nitch, S., Boone, K.B., Wen, J., Arnold, G., & Alfano, K. (2006, October). The utility of the Rey Word Recognition Test in the detection of suspect effort. Poster presented at the annual convention of the National Academy of Neuropsychology, San Antonio, TX.
  • Nitch, S. R., Haerich, P., & Clegg, A. D. (1999, October). Making speeded and non- speeded valence decisions about emotional stimuli: Sometimes size does matter. Poster presented at the annual convention of the Society for Psychophysiological Research, Granada, Spain.
  • Haerich, P., Clegg, A. D., & Nitch, S. R., & Merrifield, W. (1999, August). Emotionally salient stimuli may produce opposite effects in RSVP lexical decision and AB tasks. Poster presented at the annual convention of the Psychonomic Society, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Nitch, S. R., Tosto, C. P., & Walsh, R. P. (1996, April). Attributions for aggressive behavior: Nature or nurture? Paper presented at the annual convention of the Western Psychological Association, San Jose, CA.
  • O’Sullivan, M. J., & Nitch, S. R. (1996, April). Female mentally ill offenders: Criminal, psychological, and personal history variables. Paper presented at the annual convention of the Western Psychological Association, San Jose, CA.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • 2007 – 2014: Patton State Hospital, Neuropsychology Fellowship
    Advanced Neuropsychology Seminar
  • 2012 – 2013: Loma Linda University, Department of Psychiatry
    Clinical Psychology Pre-doctoral Internship
    Assessment Seminar
  • 2001: Loma Linda University, Dept. of Psychology
    Research Analysis Applications of SPSS
  • 2000 – 2002: California State University, San Bernardino, Dept. of Social Work
    Research Procedures
  • 2001: Loma Linda University, Dept. of Psychology
    Advanced Topics in Multivariate Analyses: Structural Equation Modeling
  • 1999 – 2001: Riverside Community College, Humanities
    (Intro to Psychology & Developmental Psychology, 6 quarters)
  • 1999: Loma Linda University, Dept. of Psychology
    Teaching Assistant for Human Neuropsychology
  • 1998 – 1999: Loma Linda University, Dept. of Psychology
    Laboratory Instructor for Psychobiology

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

  • 2010 – present: Research Supervisor – Patton State Hospital, Neuropsychology Fellowship. Provided supervision of fellows fulfilling post-doctoral program requirement of submission of paper to peer-review journal.
  • 2000 – 2002: Research Project Supervisor – California State University, San Bernardino, Dept. of Social Work. Provided supervision and consultation for students completing requirements for Master’s Degree in Social Work
  • 1999 – 2000: Research Assistant – Parkinson’s Research Group – Movement Disorders Neuroscience Clinic, Redlands, CA. Duties included participant screening, data collection and analysis, and administering cognitive tests.
  • 1998 – 1999: Laboratory Manager – Human Cognition and Performance Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Graduate School, Loma Linda University. Duties included organizing studies, recruiting and scheduling participants, and conducting laboratory experiments using physiological equipment. Supervisor: Paul Haerich, Ph.D.
  • 1998 – 1999: Research Assistant – Behavioral Health Institute, California State University, San Bernardino. Worked on a grant awarded by the California Department of Health Services, Tobacco Control Section. Duties included supervising research assistants, data collection, and data entry. Supervisor: Delia Lang, M.A. & Elizabeth A. Klonoff, Ph.D.
  • 1997 – 1998: Research Assistant – Professional Misconduct Research Group – Loma Linda University. This group investigated boundary violations among the clergy. Duties included reviewing literature, report writing, and consultation. Supervisor: Janet Sonne, Ph.D.
  • 1996 – 1997: Research Assistant – Loma Linda University.
    Research involved the review and analysis of an anger management program for emotionally disturbed adolescents.
    Supervisor: Louis Jenkins, Ph.D.
  • 1995 – 1996: Research Assistant – Loyola Marymount University.
    Research involved the comparative study of Washington state prisoners with and without mental disorders.
    Supervisor: Michael O’Sullivan, Ph.D.

SUPERVISED CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

  • September 2002 – July 2004: Postdoctoral Fellowship – Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
    Description: Acute rehabilitation unit (San Pedro Peninsula Hospital) & outpatient neuropsychological assessment (Dept. of Psychiatry) Clinical Activities: Consultation, neuropsychological testing and assessment, cognitive rehabilitation, empirical research.
    Supervisors: Dan Sherman, Ph.D.; Kyle Boone, Ph.D., ABPP; David Martin, Ph.D. (Director of Training).
  • September 2001 – September 2002: Internship – Jerry L. Pettis Memorial VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, California.
    Description: Internship involved three training rotations: behavioral health outpatient, neuropsychology assessment, and geropsychology services. Clinical Activities: Individual therapy, group therapy, consultations, testing and assessment, case presentations, program evaluation.
    Supervisors: Michael A. Goldstein, Psy.D.; David C. Anderson, Ph.D., ABPP; Michael B. Maskin, Ph.D., ABPP (Director of Training).
  • July 1999 – July 2000: Pre-Internship Placement – Psychological Services Clinic, Dept. of Psychology, Loma Linda University. Services a diverse range of clients referred within the university.
    Clinical Activities: Intake evaluations, psychological assessment (adults and children), individual / family therapy, and case presentations. Supervisors: John Flora-Tostado, Ph.D., ABPP; Janet Sonne, Ph.D.; Alvin Straatmeyer, Ph.D., ABPP.
  • July 1999 – September 1999: Pre-Internship Placement – Growing Fit Clinic, Loma Linda University
    A multi-disciplinary, pediatric obesity clinic.
    Clinical Activities: Group therapy (both process and psychoeducation), treatment planning, assessment, and consultation with medical personnel. Supervisors: Kiti Freier, Ph.D. & Larry Yin, M.D.
  • July 1998 – July 1999: Practicum Placement – Riverside County Department of Mental Health MORENO VALLEY CHILDREN’S INTERAGENCY PROGRAM (6 MONTHS).
    Intake evaluations, psychological assessment and diagnosis, individual / family / group therapy.
    RIVERSIDE COUNTY INPATIENT TREATMENY FACILITY (3 MONTHS). Psychological testing and evaluation, individual and group therapy, reported patient data at daily rounds and case conferences.
    RIVERSIDE COUNTY EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (3 MONTHS). Individual and couples counseling, consultation, and psychological assessment.
    Supervisors: Elaine Hurst, Psy.D.; Clifford Miyashiro, Ph.D.; Lin Stephens, LCSW; Cathy Tappan, M.S.

HONORS & AWARDS

  • 2011: Diplomate in Clinical Neuropsychology, American Board of Professional Psychology
  • 2000: Departmental Dissertation Research Grant
  • 1999: Nominated for 1999-2000 American Psychological Foundation / Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology Graduate Research Scholarship
  • 1998: Student representative of the Department of Psychology Research Coordinating Committee, Loma Linda University
  • 1998: Selma Andrews Research Scholarship
  • 1996 – 1997: Departmental Research Scholarship
  • 1996 – 2000: Dean’s Honors List, Loma Linda University Graduate School
  • 1996: Graduated with Honors, Loyola Marymount University

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • 2011 – present: American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology
  • 2002 – present: International Neuropsychological Society
  • 2001 – present: National Academy of Neuropsychology
  • 2001 – present: Society for Personality Assessment
  • 1999 – present: American Psychological Association
    Div. 40 – Clinical Neuropsychology
    Div. 18 – Psychologists in Public Service
  • 1999 – 2001: California Psychological Association, Student Affiliate