Thoughtful care for your life. Rigorous work for the record.

Whether you are looking for a steady, confidential place to work through something difficult, or need a clear and defensible clinical evaluation, you will find both here, with the same care behind each. Dr. Donovan is available in person or online and is proficient in Spanish and English.

Schedule a Consultation Clinical & Forensic Services

Alba L. Donovan, Ph.D. — Forensic Psychologist & Counselor

How can I help?
Two kinds of practice, one standard of care.

Individual Therapy

My favorite phrase to my 5-year-old daughter is “We can do hard things!” You can too! Therapy is hard, but so are the things you have survived. It would be my honor to walk with you as you find and refine the hidden treasures in your story.

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Forensic Evaluation

Objective psychological assessments and expert consultation for attorneys, courts, and agencies. Reports are thorough, clearly reasoned, and prepared to withstand scrutiny.

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About Alba L. Donovan, Ph.D.

With extensive experience in Trauma Focused Therapy and Forensic Assessment, Dr. Donovan offers the perfect balance between compassion and objectivity.

Learn about her compassionate approach to treatment here →

Learn about her extensive Forensic experience here →

Psychotherapy Services

Psychotherapy :

Therapy for Correctional and Criminal Justice Professionals
If you work in corrections or the criminal justice system, the demands of the job can follow you home. Difficult interactions, exposure to trauma, and high-stakes decisions can take an emotional toll, affecting your patience, communication, intimacy, and ability to be present with loved ones. You may find yourself withdrawing, feeling irritable, or struggling to connect with people who don't fully understand your experiences. Having worked firsthand in correctional and forensic settings, I understand the unique pressures of this work and how they can affect you both professionally and personally. I offer a space where you don't have to explain the realities of your job to be understood. Together, we can work through the experiences and stress you carry and help you feel more present and connected in your relationships and life outside of work.
Therapy for Therapists Working with Trauma
As a therapist, you spend much of your time holding space for others' pain and trauma. Over time, you may find yourself carrying clients' stories, navigating countertransference, experiencing the effects of repeated trauma exposure, or struggling to prioritize your own needs. Through my clinical experience in trauma-focused therapy, I understand how deeply this work can affect us, even when it is meaningful and rewarding. I am honored by the opportunity to provide therapists with a space to explore difficult cases, process the emotional impact of their work, and reflect on the challenges of caring for yourself.
Therapy for First Responders
First responders are regularly exposed to situations that most people will never experience—critical incidents, loss, human suffering, and the pressure to make difficult decisions in a matter of seconds. Even when you are able to stay focused on the job, these experiences can accumulate and affect your sleep, relationships, mood, and sense of well-being. Therapy provides an opportunity to work through these experiences with someone who understands the psychological impact of high-stress professions. Whether you are dealing with a specific traumatic event, carrying the weight of repeated exposure, or finding it difficult to switch off after a shift, you deserve a space where you can speak openly and receive thoughtful, individualized support. You do not have to wait until things feel overwhelming to reach out.

Forensic Assessment Services:

Competency to Stand Trial
Violence Risk Assessment for Adults
Risk Assessment and Treatment Recommendation for Juveniles
Criminal Responsibility
Response Style Evaluation

Alba L. Donovan, Ph.D. extensive experience →

Start with a conversation.

Reach out for a brief, no-pressure consultation to see whether we are a good fit.

(805) 602-7229 AlbaDonovan.PHD@gmail.com

Alba L. Donovan, Ph.D. Psychologist & Counselor Thoughtful care for your life. Rigorous work for the record.

How can I help?