Meet the Staff
Roberta Tsukahara, Ph.D.
Dr. Roberta Tsukahara (Doc T) is a native Texan who has specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of adults with ADD and ADHD for many years. She became interested in 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 patients 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 post-doctoral students. 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) (2004-2007)
- 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)
PHILOSOPHY OF THERAPY:
Because her training and experience have been across several psychological disciplines (neuropsychology, family therapy, general counseling, clinical assessment), Dr. Tsukahara is able to bring a highly integrated approach to her work with families and adults struggling with the neurological challenges of ADHD and related disorders. At times therapy with Doc T is quite pragmatic, helping a patient to figure out the best type of calendar or organizational tool to use. At other times, therapy is directed to deeply held beliefs about oneself or others that are resulting in painful relationships or serious mood disturbance. The same patient may even experience both types of therapy in the same session! This is because Doc T believes we are very complex, unique individuals who may benefit from quite varied interventions. Thus, the therapeutic process is highly tailored to the needs of the individual or family.
This is not to say that there are no common themes in her work. Underlying virtually all therapy at ADD Austin is a commitment to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This approach has been found repeatedly to be one of the most effective means of psychotherapy for a broad range of psychological difficulties including, but not limited to, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, and phobias. While the implementation of CBT can appear quite different from patient to patient, the underlying principles are always in play.
