Dr. Ladd is a Licensed Psychologist, specializing in Clinical Psychology

Dr. Gretchen Ladd is a clinical psychologist practicing in Plano, Texas. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas in 2006. She went on to complete her postdoctoral fellowship at Cook Children's Medical Center. Dr. Ladd opened her private practice in 2007.

Situated in South Plano, Dr. Ladd's office is at the SE corner of Preston and Park in the Preston Park Financial Center. Once in the building, take the elevator to the lower level (the floor below the first floor). Follow the signs to the cafe, and her office is just past the cafe on the left hand side (suite 80). 

EDUCATION

August 2002 –             UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER AT DALLAS

August 2006                Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. APA-Approved program.

Dissertation Topic: Assessing Readiness to Change and Identifying Risk
            FactorsLeading to an Alcohol-Related Injury.

 

August 1998 –                         COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, Teachers College           

December 1999                       M.A. in Organizational Psychology.

 

August 1994 –                         TRINITY UNIVERSITY

December 1997                       B.A. in Psychology, minor in Business Administration.

                                   

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

 

October 2007 –            PRIVATE PRACTICE

Current                        Clinical Psychologist

• Provide psycho-educational testing to children and young adults 
• Provide fitness-for-duty and pre-employment testing
• Provide compensation and pension evaluations for veterans
• Provide individual therapy to teenagers and adults to address a variety of issues including anxiety, depression, ADHD, and family problems.
• Present psychoeducational information to schools and community groups to give guidance as well as write psychoeducational articles to educate the community on a variety of issues.

 

March 2009 –              JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE

December 2010          Clinical Psychologist Serving Special-Needs Children and their Families      

• Built and maintained the testing and evaluation services division, aimed at providing services to special needs children in the community, including the Jewish community.
  • Marketed to the Dallas community and schools the new testing services offered.
• Served as liaison with Dallas school, particularly Jewish schools, to ensure appropriate recommendations were communicated to school staff. Provided support to establish necessary services in the classroom, given the outcome of the evaluation.
• Served as the agency’s primary contact for families of children with special needs to coordinate the services they and their children needed.
• Using psychological and neuropsychological measures, assessed children (aged two and above) and adults to evaluate, diagnose, and provide treatment. Referrals for assessment included learning disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, ADHD, and Autism.

 

September 2007 –        RAY LEVY, PH.D. & ASSOCIATES

March 2009                             Clinical Psychologist

• Provided psychotherapy to children and parents for a variety of issues including oppositional defiance, anxiety, and depression.
• Provided psychological testing to children to evaluate, diagnose, and provide

treatment. Referrals for assessment included learning disorders, anxiety, mood disorders, and ADHD.

 

September 2006 –        COOK CHILDREN’S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CLINIC

September 2007           Post-Doctoral Fellow

• Provided psychological and neuropsychological assessments to children aged infant to 18 to evaluate, diagnose, and provide treatment recommendations.
• Utilized a variety of psychological testing instruments, including the Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory, the Rorschach, Conner’s Continuous Performance Test-II, Robert’s Apperception Test, Beck Youth Inventories, Children’s Depression Inventory, and the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale.
• Utilized a variety of neuropsychological testing instruments, including the Developmental Neuropsychological Assessment (NEPSY), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children–IV, Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-II, Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing, and the Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning-II.
• Scored and interpreted all psychological and neuropsychological instruments.
• Wrote reports in response to referrals from pediatricians, psychiatrists, neurologists, parents, and schools.
• Provided feedback to parents.

 

February 2006 –          PARKLAND HOSPITAL VIOLENCE INTERVENTION PROGRAM (VIP)

August 2006                            Intern at APA-Approved Site

• Conducted short-term cognitive and supportive therapy with adolescents and adult who had experienced physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse.
• Utilized play therapy techniques (Gary Landreth model) with children who had experienced physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse.
• Conducted short-term cognitive and supportive therapy with refugees who had experienced torture in their home country based on their political beliefs.

 

August 2005 –             FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY ASSOCIATES OF TEXAS                     

February 2006             Intern at APA-Approved Site                                       

• Evaluated clients for forensic purposes by conducting clinical interviews and administering various instruments including Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-II, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–III, Trails A and B, Wisconsin Cart Sorting Test, Wechsler Memory Scale–III.
• Scored and interpreted psychological instruments.
• Wrote reports in response to referrals from civil and criminal courts.
• Reviewed records for civil and criminal referrals.

 

May 2003 –                             SOUTHWESTERN PSYCHOTHERAPY REFERRAL SERVICE        

August 2006                            Intern at APA-Approved Site

• Provided individual and group psychotherapy in an outpatient clinic to adults with a wide range of Axis I and Axis II pathology.
  • Utilized cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic approaches.

 

August 2004 –             PARKLAND HOSPITAL PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENT & OUTPATIENT UNITS
August 2005                                    Intern at APA-Approved Site                                       

• Evaluated patients for psychological referrals by conducting clinical interviews and administering various instruments including Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-II, and the Rorschach.
• Evaluated patients for neuropsychological referrals by conducting clinical interviews and administering various instruments including the Boston Naming Test, Dementia Rating Scale, Texas Functional Living Scale, Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale–III, Trails A and B, and the Wisconsin Card Sort Test.
• Scored and interpreted psychological and neuropsychological instruments.
• Integrated results into reports.
• Counseled patients individually in adaptive coping styles and life-skills training.
• Assisted in conducting inpatient group therapy covering diverse issues.
• Presented conceptualization of clients to psychiatry residents, psychiatry faculty, and psychology faculty during case conferences.

 

May 2003 –         PARKLAND HOSPITAL PSYCHIATRIC EMERGENCY ROOM      

April 2005                   Intern at APA-Approved Site

• Conducted intake interviews and brief assessments of acute psychiatric patients.
• Assisted psychiatry residents/attendings in differential diagnosis, treatment planning, crisis intervention, and psychoeducation/support for family members.

 

May 2003 –                             DALLAS COUNTY JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER       

August 2004                            Intern at APA-Approved Site

• Assessed offenders aged 10 to 17 by conducting clinical interviews and administering

various tests including the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III and IV, Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test, Wide Range Achievement Test-III, Beck Depression Inventory, Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-II, the Rorschach, and Thematic Apperception Test.

• Counseled clients individually and in a group format on issues including anger management and positive decision-making.
• Provided weekly orientation training to incoming young offenders on the role of the Psychology Division at the detention center.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

• Provide an overview of types and causes of mental disorders, their assessment, treatment plans, referrals for service, prognosis, related research in psychotherapy, and prevention. The legal, ethical and cultural issues related to psychopathology, behavior of mental health professionals, and society will be discussed.
• Create lectures and assemble readings for class.
• Grade exams and presentation.

January 2014  –           UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS

Present                        Social Psychology (PSY3331)

• Provide an overview of fundamental theories and research in the field of social psychology. Discuss practical applications to social problems. Specific topics include social perception, socialization, attitude change and social influence, aggression, interpersonal attraction, deviance and control, alienation, and commitment.
• Create lectures and assemble readings for class.
• Grade exams and presentation.

  Psychology in the Workplace (PSY4332) 

• Examine scientific knowledge about effective behavior in the workplace and provide practical ways to improve behavioral skills. Topics include organizational culture, leadership and power, workforce diversity, ethics, motivation and productivity at work, and organizational change.
• Create lectures and assemble readings for class.
• Grade exams and presentation.

Abnormal Psychology (PSY4343)

• Discuss abnormal human behavior, approaches to psychotherapy, and related research. Attachment theory is utilized as a framework for understanding diagnostic classifications. Class size ranges from 70-120 undergraduate students per semester.
• Create lectures and in-class activities.
• Grade tests and assignments

September 2007 –        COUNSELING REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY, UT Southwestern Medical Ctr

• Taught assessment skills to first year masters students in counseling rehabilitation psychology.  Topics included clinical interviewing skills, tests measuring adult intelligence and academic screening as well as interpretation and synthesis of data and report writing.
• Created lectures and assembled readings for class.
• Reviewed videotapes of students’ interviews and administration of tests.
• Graded projects and tests.

 

September 2004 –        COUNSELING REHABILITATION PSYCHOLOGY, UT Southwestern Medical Ctr

• Same as above

  

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

 

May 2004 –                             SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, UT HOUSTON, Dallas Campus 

August 2006                            Supervisor: Craig Field, Ph.D., M.P.H.                                                                 

• Presented and passed Dissertation Proposal in November 2005.
• Presented and passed Dissertation Defense in July 2006.
• Administered six and twelve month follow-up alcohol questionnaires via telephone to Parkland Hospital trauma center patients who participated in the study, known as Multidisciplinary Approach to Reducing Injury & Alcohol (MARIA).
• Inputted and analyzed data using SPSS.
• Evaluated clinicians’ intervention techniques (recorded live) using the Motivational Interviewing Skill Code (MISC) guidelines.
• Facilitated in training of clinicians per MISC guidelines.
• Assisted in writing and submitting articles and abstracts.

 

PUBLICATIONS

 

• Ladd, G. (Fall 2008). Parenting Tools for Siblings of Autistic Children. Autism Society of Collin County Newsletter, Volume 6, pp. 1

• Ladd, G. (Fall 2008). How to Educate Kids About His/Her Sibling’s Autism. Autism Society of Dallas Newsletter, Volume 1, pp.1
• Basco, M.R., Ladd, G., Myers, D., & Tyler, D. (2007). Combining medication treatment and cognitive-behavior therapy for bipolar disorder. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy: An International Quarterly, 21.
• Ladd, G. Field, C. Evans, H.M., Caetano, R., Robinson, R., Stephens, J. (2006) Assessing Readiness to Change and Identifying Risk Factors Leading to an Alcohol Related Injury.

 

 ABSTRACTS

 

• Field, C., Caetano, R., Ladd, G. (2006) The association of alcohol use disorders and screening criteria for identification of an alcohol related injury among White, Black and Hispanic Trauma Patients, Poster Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, June 23-29, 2006, Baltimore, MD, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 30 (6S), 100A.
• Ladd, G., Field, C. & Caetano, R. (2006) Motivation to change drinking among White, Black and Hispanic Patients admitted for an alcohol related Injury, Poster Presentation at the Annual Meeting of the Research Society on Alcoholism, June 23-29, 2006, Baltimore, MD, Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research, 30(6S), 100A.

 

INVITED ADDRESS

 

• Ladd, G. (September, 2010). “How to Identify Emotional/Behavior Problems and What To Do Next” presented to faculty at Zion Lutheran School.
• Ladd, G. (August, 2010). “Classroom Activities to Prevent and Reduce School Bullying” presented to elementary teachers in the community.
• Ladd, G. and Berman, J. (February, 2010). “Positive Psychology Perspective in Group Psychotherapy” presented at AGPA’s national annual conference in San Diego, CA.
• Ladd, G. (July, 2009). “How to Talk to Your Kids about Your Divorce” presented to the Divorce Care Group.
• Ladd, G. (June, 2009). “How to Identify Emotional/Behavior Problems and What To Do Next” presented to Preschool Directors in the Jewish community.
• Ladd, G. (November, 2008). Review of Siblings of Children with Autism: A Guide for Families, 2nd edition, by Sandra Harris and Beth Glasberg (2003) presented to mental health professionals at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.
• Ladd, G. (October, 2008). “How to Identify Emotional/Behavior Problems and What To Do Next” presented to teachers at Northpark Presbyterian Day School.
• Ladd, G. (September, 2008). “How to Talk to Your Kids about Your Divorce” presented to the Divorce Care Group.
• Ladd, G. (September, 2008). “Parenting Tools for Siblings of Autistic Children” presented to the Autism Society of Dallas.
• Ladd, G. (February, 2005). Stress Management Seminar presented at Dallas Baptist University.

 

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

 

• Collaborated with Autism Society of Collin County (ASCC) to run children’s groups for kids whose siblings are on the Autism-spectrum range. Provided these siblings with peer support and a place for them to discuss the challenges they face.

 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

 

2007 to present           Dallas Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology (DSPP), President for 2013-2014

2007 to present          American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA), Member

2008 to 2012               APA Division 53 Society of Clinical Child and  Adolescent Psychology, Member

2005 to 2012               American Psychological Association (APA), Member