Dr. Roberta Tsukahara (“Dr. T”) is a native Texan who has specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of adults with ADD and ADHD for over a decade. She developed her innovative group program for the treatment of ADD and ADHD during her years at Harvard Medical School as a clinical fellow and staff neuropsychologist. She has continued to develop strategies and techniques to assist clients in managing all aspects of this neurological disorder as well as commonly co-occurring difficulties (e.g., family conflict, depression, anxiety, anger, sleep disturbances).

In addition to her expertise with the Attention Deficit Disorders, Dr. Tsukahara has extensive clinical and teaching experience with a broad range of clients, graduate students, and psychiatry residents. She is highly committed to staying abreast of current scientific research so she can assist clients in sorting out fact from fiction in managing their ADD.


ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE AND CREDENTIALS

• Adjunct Professor, University of Texas at Austin, Clinical Psychology (2007- )
• Adjunct Professor, Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest (Austin) (2004- )
• Instructor in Neurology, Harvard Medical School (1994-2000)
• Adjunct Professor, Northeastern University (1996-1999)
• Clinical Fellow in Neuropsychology, Harvard Medical School
• Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, Northeastern University
• M.Ed. in Counseling, University of North Texas
• B.A. in Philosophy, University of Texas at Dallas
• Licensed psychologist (TX #3-1567; MA#7096)
• Specializations in Clinical Psychology (TX, MA), Neuropsychology (MA) and Counseling Psychology (MA)

CURRICULUM VITAE

PDF Version of CV

Education:      

• 1984 - B.A., Philosophy, University of Texas at Dallas
• 1988 - M.Ed., Counseling, University of North Texas
• 1994 - Ph.D., Counseling Psychology, Northeastern University
• 1994-1996 - Clinical Fellow, Neuropsychology, Harvard Medical School

Pre-doctoral Training:  (Practica, Assistantships, Internships, Fellowships)

• 1988 - Master’s Practicum in Counseling, University of North Texas
• 1988-1989 - Master’s Internship in Counseling, Counseling Institute of Texas, Garland, TX
• 1989-1991 - Advanced Practicum in Psychology, Center for Mental Health, Arlington, MA
• 1989-1991 - Graduate Assistant/Research Assistant, Northeastern University, Boston, MA
• 1991-1992 - Pre-doctoral Internship in Psychology, Danvers State Hospital, Danvers, MA
• 1992-1993 - Clinical Fellow in Psychology, Tewksbury State Hospital, Tewksbury, MA
• 1993-1994 - Advanced Pre-doctoral Practicum in Neuropsychology, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA

License:

• 1996-Present - Massachusetts Licensed Psychologist (#7096) – specializations in counseling psychology, clinical psychology, and neuropsychology
• 2001-Present - Texas Licensed Psychologist (#31567)

Academic Appointments:

• 1994-1996 - Clinical Fellow in Neuropsychology, Harvard Medical School
• 1996-2000 - Instructor in Neurology (Neuropsychology), Harvard Medical School
• 1996-1999 - Instructor, Department of Counseling Psychology, Northeastern University
• 2004-2008 - Adjunct Professor, Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, TX
• 2006-Present - Adjunct Professor, Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Texas, Austin, TX

Professional Affiliations:

• 1992-1993 - Psychotherapist, Community Counseling Center, Lowell, MA
• 1993-1994 - Research Coordinator, Alzheimer’s research, Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA
• 1994-1998 - Psychotherapist, Abundant Life Counseling Center, Boston, MA
• 1996-1998 - Staff Neuropsychologist, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
• 1998-2000 - Private Practice in Clinical and Neuropsychology, Newton Centre, MA
• 2001 - Private Practice in Clinical and Neuropsychology, Austin, TX
• 2002-2003 - Staff Clinical Psychologist, Samaritan Center, Austin, TX
• 2004-2007 - Private Practice in Clinical and Neuropsychology, Austin, TX
• 2007-Present - Owner and Senior Psychologist, ADD Austin, Austin, TX

Clinical Specialization:

Background in neuropsychology, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, and marriage and family therapy provides a strong breadth and depth of clinical skills that undergird a full range of psychological services to patients and their families.  Several years in a tertiary, interdisciplinary behavioral neurology clinic at a Harvard Medical affiliated hospital led to strong diagnostic skills in patients with very complex presentations. A long-standing interest in and experience with college-aged patients with AD/HD and related challenges.  A strong commitment to the use of evidence-based assessment tools and interventions.

Teaching and Mentoring Experience:

• Instructor in Counseling Psychology, Northeastern University
• Supervision of doctoral-level psychology interns and practica students, psychiatry residents, Harvard Medical School
• 2004-2007 - Supervision of masters-level counseling practica students, Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, TX
• 2006-Present - Visiting Lecturer, University of Texas at Austin, Department of Clinical Psychology
• Ongoing - Training and supervision of master’s, pre- and post-doctoral students and interns

Selected Lecture Topics:

All facets of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and related disorders of executive functioning and working memory.  A few examples: 

• Assessment/Diagnosis of AD/HD
• Neuropsychology and AD/HD
• Parenting Children with AD/HD
• Psychological Treatment of AD/HD
• Marriage and Family Complications in AD/HD
• Computer-based Interventions in AD/HD:  What Really Works?
• Working Memory in AD/HD and related disorders

Community and Professional Service:

• CHADD (Children and Adults with ADD) – Frequent speaker and facilitator at the local CHADD meetings since 2001.  Currently leading the Adults with ADD Support Group on a volunteer basis at monthly CHADD meetings. 
• Invited speaker to parents and master’s level counselors on a variety of issues related to AD/HD.
• Maintain a website dedicated to providing information on AD/HD to the Austin community.
• Occasionally lecture at Austin Neuropsychological Society (invited and volunteer).
• Panel discussant (e.g., University of Texas at Austin forum on “study drugs”).
• Consultant to psychiatrists, psychologists, and master’s level clinicians on diagnosis and treatment of AD/HD on a volunteer basis. 
• Regularly available to meet with students in the mental health professions
• Consult with media on mood disorders and AD/HD

Professional Organizations:

American Psychological Association
Texas Psychological Association
Austin Neuropsychological Society

Publications:

No professional publications.  I made a deliberate choice to focus on the development of clinical skills and the supervision of young professionals.  I am a voracious consumer of research, but my creative energies have been reserved for my clinical work. 

Click for information about the Clinical Staff or the Administrative Staff.