Ruth Ellingsen, Ph.D.

Ruth Ellingsen is a post-doctoral scholar in the Nathanson Family Resilience Center at the UCLA Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior. Ruth obtained her Ph.D. in clinical psychology and completed her internship at UCLA, where she received specialized clinical and research training in developmental disabilities and in the prevention and treatment of traumatic stress in children and families. As part of her postdoctoral training, Ruth provides clinical services to children and families exposed to various challenges, including medical, community, and family traumas, as well as conducts program development and evaluation to better serve trauma-exposed families. Ruth is also a clinical instructor in the UCLA PEERS® Clinic and facilitates social skills intervention groups for teens with autism spectrum disorder and other social impairments, and additionally trains other mental health professionals and educators in the PEERS® method. Her research focuses on factors that influence positive parenting of children at risk.