Dr. Kaity Verbarendse

Dr. Kaity Verbarendse (she/hers) completed her Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology at the University of La Verne in 2022. Dr. Kaity’s clinical training was forensically focused and she completed her APA internship at Minnesota Forensic Services, a state hospital and conditional release program. Following her graduate studies, Dr. Kaity provided therapy and testing services to individuals conditionally released from the state hospital system. Dr. Kaity currently provides individual therapy services via telehealth. Areas of specialization and interest include correctional and forensic psychology, serious mental illness, and working with unhoused populations.

Research
The goal for this academic year is to initiate a forensic and serious mental illness focused research lab with specific studies based on student interest.  In the development of my research lab I hope to include student perspectives. Please see below for some potential research directions. 

Correctional and Forensic Psychology: to further explore the impact of mass incarceration; the impact of incarceration on nonincarcerated family members using a sample representative of the racial and gender demographics of the US prison system;​ the ongoing impact of COVID-19 in correctional settings; public perception of the insanity defense and impact on access to treatment; burnout amongst mental health professionals in correctional settings; mental health provider opinions related to the utility of mental health treatment in adverse settings. 

Serious mental illness: Effectiveness of Michael’s Game, an evidenced based group therapy intervention for the treatment of delusions, on individuals with serious mental illnesses; impact of therapy on those with persistent delusions; the development of manualized treatment for working with individuals with comorbid schizophrenia spectrum disorders and ASPD.

Teaching
As a recent graduate from this very program, I am uniquely positioned to understand the complex nature of balancing a rigorous academic curriculum with clinical work at the University of La Verne. I also recognize the importance of student/faculty dynamics and aim to provide students with a safe place to discuss complex topics and challenge them to recognize different perspectives. I infuse multicultural considerations in each of my courses and encourage students to draw from their unique clinical and personal experiences within class discussions. In the classroom I aim to incorporate discussion and experiential aspects to each of my courses while emphasizing graduate level academic expectations. I help students reach competency in psychological assessment, biological bases of behavior, and professional consultation.

Clinical
My clinical interests are in the area of forensic psychology and serious mental illness, with a specific love for psychotic spectrum and personality disorders. I have primarily worked with individuals who have struggled with housing stability, incarcerated populations (including those who have histories of incarceration),and those in the state hospital system. As such, much of my clinical work has been centered around advocacy for those who often go unheard and balancing the difficult line between correctional settings and the clinical mindset. While I always adapt my treatment approach based on what is the most appropriate for my client, I tend to utilize DBT, motivational interviewing, and psychosis specific techniques to help improve client functioning.