Valentina Ogaryan, PhD

Responsibilities

As the Clinical Director, Dr. Ogaryan brings a wealth of experience, compassion, and knowledge to overseeing the clinical programs and clinical staff in providing exceptional care to patients and loved ones impacted by a cancer diagnosis. Additionally, Dr. Ogaryan leads the multidisciplinary training program of psychology doctoral and social work students, deeply investing in the next generation of psycho-oncology clinicians. Dr. Ogaryan has a decade of clinical experience in various settings, including primary mental health treatment centers, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, and community-based settings. Dr. Ogaryan is passionate about providing culturally congruent care to a diverse patient population, encompassing models of cultural humility and approaches to psychosocial frameworks. Dr. Ogaryan has had the privilege to contribute to academic and public journals, as well as numerous speaking events geared towards enhancing the field of mental health and psychosocial oncology.

Training & Professional Work

After receiving my bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology at the University of California, San Diego, I went to pursue a master’s degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis on marriage and family therapy. While completing my master’s program, I had the opportunity to complete training through community mental health and hospital based settings providing therapy, group support and crisis intervention to children and adults. I received my doctoral degree in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in 2017 after completing a pre-doctoral internship at Tarzana Treatment Centers, where I provided individual therapy, group therapy, crisis intervention and psychological evaluation for patients with various psychological disorders in an outpatient and inpatient setting. My dissertation study focused on understanding Armenian American parental attitudes towards children’s mental health services. Throughout my graduate training, I have also had the opportunity to work at PCH Treatment Center in a variety of roles, including assistant clinical director and residence director.

Personal Interests and Perspectives

I am particularly passionate about providing culturally congruent care in a way that highlights and celebrates our identities and communities. I am immensely grateful that I can do work that helps cultivate meaning making and connection.

I come from a very close-knit Armenian family and try to spend time with them as much as possible. In addition, I feel incredibly blessed to have a great group of friends with whom I share a variety of interests. Whenever I can, I enjoy spending time getting lost in museums, baking (new recipes are always welcome!) and traveling (especially out of the country).