Meet Dr. Becerra

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from San Diego State University and obtained my Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Alliant International University-California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego, California.  I completed a pre-doctoral internship at an intensive outpatient facility for substance use disorders in Los Angeles and completed my post-doctoral hours in private practice treating adolescents, couples and families.

I  have also taught classes and seminars at several universities on overcoming trauma and have provided services to at risk youth and a variety of prevention agencies within the community of San Diego. I have been included in educational documentary tools for prosecutors, judges and forensic staff in the field of violence and have worked with child survivors of abuse in camp settings providing hope and healing. 

My Ph.D. dissertation research focused on acculturation, mental health symptoms, risk recognition and danger assessment factors in intimate partner violence survivors. My professional  background also focused on providing therapeutic services and interventions to child, teen and adult survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in San Diego, throughout my entire career

Invited Lectures and Conference Presentations

• Becerra, R. A. (2009, February).  Confronting Domestic Violence Head On-The Role of Power in Domestic Relationships. Invited presentation at the Ninth Annual Women & The Law Conference Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego CA.
•  Becerra, R. A. (2009, June). Hope and Healing from Intimate Partner Violence. Invited presentation at the Ninth Annual International Family Justice Center Alliance, Costa Mesa, CA.
•  Becerra, R. A. (2010, April). Dream Big. Start Small. Invited presentation at the Tenth Annual International Family Justice Center Conference. San Antonio, TX .
•  Becerra, R. A. (2010, April). Dream Big…Change the World- Domestic Violence 101-A VOICES Perspective. Invited Presentation at the Eleventh Annual International Family Justice Center-San Diego, CA.
• Becerra, R. A. (2010, September). Educating Case Managers and Counseling Staff on empathy and care for survivors of domestic abuse. Invited Presentation at the YWCA, San Diego, CA
•  Becerra, R. A. (2010, September). Overcoming Obstacles of Domestic Violence. Speaker at San Diego Family Justice Center-Grand Opening Expansion Ceremony, San Diego, CA. 
• Becerra, R. A. (2010, October). A safe house and shelter for victims of domestic violence- An Evening with VOICES. Invited presenter at Becky’s House, Sponsored by the YWCA, San Diego, CA. 
• Becerra, R. A. (2010, October). Healthy Relationship Dynamics- A Presentation to Foster Kids, At-Risk Teens and Dependents of the Juvenile Court of San Diego County to increase awareness and prevent teen dating violence. Invited Assembly Presenter at San Pasqual Academy/Residential Live-In Education Facility, Escondido, CA.
•  Becerra, R. A., Griffin-Tabor, V., Gwinn, C., Dumanis, B. (2011, March). Public Forum-Domestic Violence: A Crisis in our Communities What Can We Do to Stop it Now? A talk with former and current City Attorneys. Distinguished Panelist at San Diego State University- Office of Public Affairs, San Diego, CA.
•  Becerra, R. A. (2011, October). Domestic Violence 101-Understanding and Implementing the Power and Control Wheel with Clients. Invited Webinar Speaker at the Family Justice Center, San Diego, CA.
•   Becerra, R. A. (2012, April). Coming Together to Change the World. Invited Speaker at the 12th Annual International Family Justice Center Conference in New Orleans, LA.   
•  Becerra, R. A., Lass, D. (2013, December). Domestic Violence and Stalking Seminar- Domestic Violence- What Can We Learn? Invited Presenter at the California District Attorneys Association in Newport Beach, CA.
•   Becerra, R. A. (2013, January). Danger Assessment in Intimate Partner Violence. Invited Presenter at the Indian Country Strangulation and Suffocation Seminar-Sponsored by the United States Department of Justice, National Advocacy Center and the Office for United States Attorneys, Columbia, SC. 
•   Becerra, R. A. (2014, December). Domestic Violence and Non-Fatal Strangulation. Treating Affected Populations for Service Providers and Mental Health Professionals. Invited Presenter at Valley Crisis Center-A Program of Alliance for Community Transformations in Merced, CA. 
•  Becerra, R. A., Gwinn, C., Strack, G. Adrine, R. (2014, October). The Family Justice Center Movement-Keep Dreaming-Family Justice Centers and Other Innovative Practices. Invited Presenter/Panelist Member at the National Association of Women Judges (NAWJ), San Diego, CA.
•  Becerra, R. A., (2016, February). Hope for Healing-Presented to Clinicians and Psychologists on ways to use Trauma Informed treatment when working with clients who are victims of intimate partner violence. Invited Speaker at the 16th Annual Alliance for Hope International Conference, San Diego, CA.

Media and Television

• Featured in- "STRANGULATION-What have we learned?" A training DVD and educational film for law enforcement and those working in the field of forensics regarding intimate partner violence
• Featured-KUSI NEWS MEDIA-News Coverage Vigil for teen murder victim at San Diego City College-What can we do to prevent these tragedies from continuing? 
•   5 o’ Clock News Spot- NBC News Channel 7 Spot-Interview “Overcoming the Challenges of Domestic Violence”
• Featured-San Diego Insider-Emmy Award Winning Local news magazine show focusing on community issues- Channel 4- “Domestic Violence”
•  Featured in San Diego State Student Film Documentary, Young Productions-Student film documentary on Domestic Violence- “Unexpected Error”
• Featured-San Diego Newscene- San Diego City Newscene is a weekly television news program featuring news and information produced by the Radio-TV department of San Diego City College- “Remembering Diana Gonzales-A Domestic Violence Tragedy”
• Featured in Fox Channel 5-San Diego’s Most Wanted: FBI Files
•  Univision/Telemundo-Spanish interview on dynamics of IPV- “Violencia Doméstica” 

Podcast

• Podcast: Private Practice Practically"Clinical Excellence" Series-Featuring Dr. Reena Becerra, Ph.D. 3/2026

Community Service & Volunteer

• Intern/Volunteer- Legal Advocate Training-National Family Justice Center Alliance, Legal department- to advocate for victims of intimate partner violence and accompany them in court and with legal proceedings and assist with temporary restraining orders- San Diego, CA-1/8/2010
• San Diego VOICES Network-Committee Member-San Diego Chapter Helping to end violence to women of all ages and educate the community about domestic violence in relationships-2009-2016
• Hope in the Park- Balboa Park, San Diego, CA –VOICES Network- Managed and maintained Educational Booth for intimate partner violence services offered-An Event for Healing Opportunities, Prevention and Education-10/9/2010
• Facilitation with Sea World of San Diego California for sponsorship of The National Family Justice Center Children's Room- for children to have a safe, peaceful and relaxing environment, free from violence while parents (victims) are being offered legal assistance or psychological services. The room had a Sea World theme, complete library, games, toys and a television for children- 2012
• San Diego VOICES-Committee Chair/Co-Chair- duties include- conducting meetings, facilitation of outreach events and coordination with media and other organization providing IPV, cultural, interpreter or related services, management of outreach speaking engagements and delegation speakers to venues of fit, Participated and featured in forensic documentaries-2010-2013
• San Diego City Council- Attended City Council meetings with survivors of violence to impact service offered in San Diego County and affect the changing of laws for families of intimate partner violence 
• YWCA-Developed structure for Men’s Groups of IPV with collaboration from the YWCA. Coordinated focus groups for research on IPV
• Glamour Magazine-Coordinated, participated, and featured in global media public service announcement for IPV though Glamour Magazine
• "Tell Somebody” Campaign - Coordinated VOICES survivors with A-list celebrities affected by IPV for a media public service announcement called the “Tell Somebody Campaign” which encourages open non-judgmental discussions about IPV, proper reporting and strategic safety planning 
• “Cut it Out” Program- Collaboration with “Cut it Out,” a national training program of the Salons Against Abuse Fund dedicated to hairdressers and salon professionals building awareness on how to recognize warning signs of domestic violence and physical signs of non-fatal strangulation injuries., help discussions with their clients and refer to local resources- 11/2010
•  Collaboration with sponsors such as Costco, Target, and Walmart to donate funds and wellness items during Christmas and Thanksgiving to intimate partner violence victims living in shelters, participated in weekend gift wrapping for gifts to families living in shelters
• 1st Annual Celebration for Hope & Strength for Domestic Violence Victims Fundraiser-San Diego, CA Assisted in community celebration of survivors, and domestic violence awareness. Coordinated survivors’ roles on day of event and empowerment fashion sponsored show. 10/15/2013
• Proyecto Esperanza (Project Hope)-San Diego, CAParticipate in activities in the No Más Study (No More)-Commissioned by the Avon Foundation for Women for Casa Esperanza (Hope House). Proyecto Esperanza focuses on creating community for Latina survivors of through self-empowerment, education, legal support, social development and family integration -2014
• 2013-2015-Advisory Committee Member-The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention (TISP)- funded by the United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women

The Training Institute on Strangulation Prevention (TISP)-provides consulting, training, resources, and support services to family violence professionals and experts to identify the signs and symptoms of strangulation cases; identify the anatomy and medical aspects of surviving and non-surviving victims; investigate and document intimate partner violence strangulation cases for prosecution; master legal aspects of strangulation cases with strangulation victims; use experts in court; understand the lethality of strangulation and enhance victim safety

• 2010-2013- Chair/Co -Chair of San Diego VOICES Network-Committee-San Diego ChapterHelping to end violence to women of all ages and educate the community about domestic violence in relationships 
•  2009-2014 Member of San Diego VOICES Network-Committee-San Diego Chapter