Elena Parra

Dr. Parra obtained her doctoral degree in School Psychology and Psychology at the University of Arizona in 1983 and completed a post-doctoral program in Neuropsychology at Camarillo State Hospital in California in 1986. Dr. Parra has a professional interest in cross cultural research that includes the study of multicultural issues in therapy, intervention and learning. She has worked in the capacity of Assistant professor or Associate Professor in following universities: University of California in Fullerton; San Diego State University; University of Arizona; and Argosy University where she also held a School Psychology Department Chair position. Additionally, Dr. Parra was a Project Coordinator for the Bilingual School Psychology Program at the University of Arizona. At these universities she has taught courses in cognitive and personality assessment, psychotherapy and intervention, ethics, and issues in the assessment and treatment of diverse populations. Moreover, she has supervised doctoral internship practices and has served as Head Committee and member for doctoral dissertations.

Dr. Parra has also held positions as Clinical Director, Mental Health Outpatient Supervisor; Educational Project Director; Crisis and Emergency Unit Specialist; Faculty Trainer; Chief Psychologist; School Psychologist; and Clinical Psychologist. Dr. Parra has also published several articles in leading professional journals such as Journal of Educational Psychology, Journal of Multilingual Education Research, Interdisciplinary Journal of Educational Policy, Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology and Journal of Divorce and Remarriage, Dr. Parra has conducted professional presentations and has participated in national and international conferences for over 25 years. She is currently holds a position as a director and psychologist at Multicultural Counseling Center.

Dr. Parra has developed expertise in the assessment and treatment of multicultural populations and has conducted research centering on cross-cultural issues such as the impact of identity in the individual’s wellbeing and educational attainment. She has also developed culturally relevant projects in the school psychology field and has developed new concepts in the area of multicultural psychology such as the tricultural self and the incarcerated self.