Natalie Cruz, PsyD

Clinical Psychologist

Natalie Carlos Cruz, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who works in the Project Heal program at the University of Southern California University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. She provides clinical intake assessments, trauma informed psychological evaluations, and individual, collateral, family, and group therapy to children and families who have experienced traumatic experiences utilizing various evidence-based treatment models in English and Spanish languages. Dr. Cruz is a clinical supervisor to predoctoral interns and postdoctoral fellows in the field of psychology, and she provides various training didactics and seminars on topics related to diversity, grief, trauma, and professional development.

Clinical Interests

Clinical interests include addressing the needs who have experienced traumatic events, as well as death and non-death losses (e.x., complex abuse or neglect, immigration related trauma and loss, etc.)

Education

Medical School

Alliant International University

Internship

Cambridge Health Alliance/ Harvard Medical School

Fellowship

Children's Hospital Los Angeles - UCEDD, Clinical Child Psychology

Accomplishments

Certifications

Licensed Psychologist (CA), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Child Parent Psychotherapy, and Parent-Child Interaction Therapy Certified

Professional Memberships

National Latinx Psychological Association

Publications

Botello, R. & Cruz, N. (2018). The Psychological Shadow of Hazing: Mental Health Issues &Counseling. In Salinas, C. & Boettcher, M. Critical Perspective on Hazing in Colleges and Universities: A Guide to Disrupting Hazing Culture. New York: Routledge.
Meneses, V. & Cruz, N. (2017). A trauma-informed approach supports health and development in children and youth with spina bifida. Journal of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine, 10(3-4):195-199.
Cruz, N. (2016). Grief, Resilience, and Healing During Emerging Adulthood. In McCoyd, J.L.M. & Walter, C.A., Grief and Loss across the lifespan (156-160). New York: Springer Publishing Company.