Faculty

Lisa Cochran-Navarra, Ph.D.

Dr. Cochran-Navarra received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Birmingham, England (2018). Her research and thesis centered around autism spectrum disorder symptomatology in Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. Prior to her graduate studies in the UK, she worked for several years at the UC Davis MIND Institute.

Dr. Cochran-Navarra, a native Californian, got her B.A. in Psychology from the California State University, Sacramento (2007). She has a long work history in neurodevelopmental disorders and neuropsychological testing (as a psychometrist). She has worked in research, hospital, and private practice settings.

Assistant Professor

Shannon Cooper, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Cooper is a licensed psychologist who has been a professor at California State University, Sacramento, the Dean of Counseling and Student Services at Consumnes River College, and the Vice President of Student Affairs at Solano Community College. She is currently a lecturer at California State University, Sacramento and an expert consultant for the Board of Pharmacy and Department of Justice. She has worked for Francine Farrel and Associates and at the Ewing Psychological Center. She is a subject matter expert for the CPLEE in Law and Ethics and for Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST).  

Associate Professor

Mark Ettensohn, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Ettensohn studied the classics at St. John’s College in Santa Fe, New Mexico, before completing his undergraduate degree in psychology at San Diego State University (cum laude). He received his MA and PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA.

Dr. Ettensohn has extensive training in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and sits on the board for the Sacramento Psychoanalytic Society. He is the author of Unmasking Narcissism: A Guide to Understanding the Narcissist in Your Life.

Associate Professor

Brenda Gaffney, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Gaffney started off her academic career at California State University, Sacramento where she received a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She continued her education with a master’s in counseling from the University of San Francisco and a doctorate degree in clinical psychology from Alliant International University, Sacramento.

Dr. Gaffney has had the opportunity to work and learn in a variety of settings including pain management, the VA, prison mental health system, inpatient hospital setting, intensive outpatient program (IOP) and partial hospital program (PHP). Dr. Gaffney currently provides therapy at a local hospital specializing in working with anxiety disorders. 

Assistant Professor

Kristee Haggins, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Dr. Haggins received her B.A. in Psychology with Honors from the University of Southern California in Psychology and her M.A. and PhD in Counseling Psychology from The Ohio State University. She worked at UC Davis for 18 years as a psychologist, supervisor, professor and administrator in Counseling and Psychological Services where she served as the Associate Director of Training. After leaving UC Davis, Dr. Haggins worked as a project manager for five years at the California Institute for Behavioral Health Solutions, where she led projects focused on promoting excellence and the integration of cultural competence into mental health and substance use services. Dr. Haggins is also an adjunct faculty at the California School of Professional Psychology-Sacramento/Alliant International University. Her areas of interest include: supervision and training; diversity issues; African-centered psychology; and spirituality and mental health.

Founding Faculty Member

Diana Le, Ph.D.

 Dr. Le received her Masters and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in working with Children and Adolescents from Alliant International University. She also has received certification in Infant Preschooler Mental Health. Dr. Le completed her internship at Casa Pacifica, Centers for Children and Families and her postdoctoral residency at Kaiser Permanente, Santa Rosa.

Dr. Le has worked in a variety of different clinical settings, including community mental health, hospital, private practice, and residential facilities.  Her expertise includes working with at risk youth. Prior to coming to California Northstate University, Dr. Le was adjunct faculty for Alliant International University and Kaiser Permanente School of Allied Health. Dr. Le continues to see children and adolescents in private practice. She also is passionate about the opportunity for mentorship and supporting emerging professionals!

Assistant Professor

Krystal Piumatti, Psy.D.

Dr. Piumatti works in private practice with the Solano  and Yolo County Child and Welfare Services, the California Victim Witness Compensation Board, and the Superior Court of California in Yolo County as a supervised visitation professional. She provides forensic assessment for competency (1368) and not guilty by reason of insanity (1027) evaluations. She has extensive experience in a variety of psychological evaluations and is very active in community outreach.

Assistant Professor

Leeza Reyburn, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

 Dr. Reyburn is a licensed psychologist who has taught at Pepperdine University and is currently teaching at UC Davis. Her courses have included Multicultural Counseling; the Psychology of the African American Experience; and Mental Health, Mental Disorders, and Problems in Living.

Assistant Professor

Haleigh Scott, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Haleigh Scott received her PhD in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Psychology from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. She completed her internship at the Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and received postdoctoral training at the University of Illinois at Chicago and the MIND Institute at UC Davis. Her research focuses on the health and wellness of people with neurodevelopmental disabilities, particularly on diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders in this population. Dr. Scott is a licensed psychologist and specializes in assessment and treatment of mental and behavioral challenges in people with neurodevelopmental disabilities. She is also a passionate advocate for the environment and human powered recreation and serves on the board of CRAGS- Climbing Resource Advocates of Greater Sacramento.

Assistant Professor

Andrew Smith, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Smith received his BA in Psychology from Pitzer College and his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology. Since then, he has worked in numerous substance use disorder treatment settings, served as Associate/Training Director at University of the Pacific Counseling and Psychological Services, and held a UC Davis appointment as behavioral science faculty in a family medicine residency program. He has also maintained a private practice since 1998, specializing in health psychology, working with medical professionals, and contemplative psychotherapy. For 2025 he is serving as President of the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association, having previously served as Behavioral Medicine and Neuropsychology chair.

Assistant Professor

Eric Vogel, Psy.D.

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Eric B. Vogel is originally from the East Bay Area.  He obtained his BA from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and his Psy.D. from John F. Kennedy University.  He was a professor at John F. Kennedy University from 2002 to 2021, and at National University from 2021 to 2023. He was the 2009 winner of the Eugene Benjamin Sagan award for Outstanding Teaching in Psychology.  His best-known publication is Land of Psymon (2004, 2017), a psychotherapeutic board game that teaches cognitive restructuring skills to children.  He specializes in qualitative research, and his most recently published study is Townsell, A., Vogel, E. B., & McLean, A., Jr. (2021). Black Men’s Experience of Police Harassment: A Descriptive Phenomenological Study, in the Journal of Phenomenological Psychology.  He also designs board games for the hobby-game market.  His published hobby games include The Dresden Files Cooperative Card Game (2017), Kitara (2020) and First Empires (2022).

Professor

Craig Wetterer, Ph.D., J.D., MSCP

Associate Professor

Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Craig Wetterer earned his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University in 2015 and an MS in Clinical Psychopharmacology from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2024, as he progresses toward becoming a prescribing psychologist. He began his professional path in Sacramento, earning a BA and MA in Psychology from Sacramento State University.

Specializing in forensic and neuropsychological assessment as well as trauma-focused interventions, Dr. Wetterer brings extensive clinical experience to his work. He has served as the Clinical Director of an inpatient crisis bed unit at California State Prison, Sacramento—a maximum-security forensic hospital—and has worked in correctional and public safety settings. Dr. Wetterer is also licensed to practice psychology in Nevada and is part of a forensic psychological practice group, where he conducts comprehensive forensic psychological evaluations across multiple states.

Dr. Wetterer’s teaching expertise spans psychopharmacology, psychological assessment, and psychometric theory and test development, reflecting his commitment to training the next generation of clinicians and researchers. He frequently serves as an expert witness in cases involving complex trauma, PTSD, and psychological factors related to police and public safety practices. His dual licensure as a psychologist and a California attorney enables him to offer unique insights by bridging forensic psychological expertise and legal applications in the criminal and civil justice system. 

Founding Faculty Member