I am a licensed clinical psychologist practicing in both Burlingame and Pacifica, CA. I have 20 years of experience providing psychotherapy to individuals, couples, and groups. I am also experienced in training other professionals to provide therapy. I work with adults and adolescents.

My doctoral and post-doctoral training was completed at the University of New Mexico, the Palo Alto VA, and Stanford University. Following my training, I worked in multiple capacities in a staff position at the Palo Alto VA working with adults, adolescents, groups, couples, and families as well as training staff. More detailed information about my training and experience can be found Experience Section.

I specialize in the treatment of addiction, anxiety, depression, stress, communication problems, and health problems. I utilize a behavioral medicine framework that integrates psychological principles with biomedical sciences to conceptualize both mental health and medical disorders. Behavioral Medicine capitalizes on the connection between mind and body to improve your mental and physical health. I am experienced working with individuals, couples and families coping with addiction and other physical illness.

Most recently, I have worked as the National Coordinator for VA’s Motivational Interviewing Training Program, providing expert clinical training in addiction and mental health treatment to over 800 therapists, nurses, and physicians.

 

Education

• Doctoral Training: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
• Clinical Internship: VA Palo Alto Health Care System
• Postdoctoral Fellowship: Stanford University, Health Sciences Research Development

Clinical Experience

Coordinator, Motivational Interviewing (MI) Training Program, VA Central Office
Duties: Designed and implemented the VA’s Empirically Based Psychotherapy program in MI and MET. As the coordinator of the country’s largest training program in MI, I oversaw the training of over 1200 physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and addiction counselors. Served as Master Trainer leading 3-day trainings across the United States; Created and edited all clinical materials for the training program; Primary author of treatment materials used in all VA facilities across the United States; Served as a subject matter expert for the development of two web-based courses in Motivational Interviewing and Motivational Enhancement Therapy.

Director, Addiction Treatment Service, VA Palo Alto
Duties: Provided oversight and management for outpatient, inpatient, and residential addiction treatment services; Conducted psychosocial assessment of patients with substance use problems and co-occurring mental and physical health problems; Provided individual, group, and family psychotherapy at all levels of care including medical settings, outpatient treatment, residential treatment, and inpatient units.

Behavioral Medicine, VA Palo Alto and the University New Mexico Health Sciences Center
Duties: Worked as a member of a multidisciplinary medical teams providing screening, brief intervention, and psychotherapy to medical patients and those with mental health concerns (cognitive impairment, psychosis) who needed additional intervention due to the stress and demands of medical treatment; Worked with patients with brain injuries, cancer, hepatitis C, high-risk pregnancy, and those in need of hospice.  Treated behavioral health concerns including obesity, gastric bypass, heart disease, diabetes, smoking, substance use, and medical adherence.

Leadership, Education, and Neuro-disability Program (LEND), Center for Development and Disability, Albuquerque, NM
Duties: As a member of a multidisciplinary team, provided assessment to children with developmental concerns including Autism and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome; Provided individual and family therapy using a family-centered approach.

Stanford University School of Medicine
Duties: Instructor within the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Taught classes on addiction and behavioral treatment interventions.

University of New Mexico Psychology Clinic, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Duties: Individual therapy focusing on management of addiction, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, and traumatic brain injury.

 

Selected Publications

Maisel, N. C., Blodgett, J. C., Wilbourne, P. L., Humphreys, K., & Finney, J. W. Meta-analysis of naltrexone and acamprosate for treating alcohol use disorders: When are these medications most helpful? Addiction. Vol 8 (3), 275-293 (2013).

Wain, R. M., Wilbourne, P.L., Harris, K.W., Pierson, H., Teleki, J., Burling, T. A., Lovett, S. Motivational interview improves treatment entry in homeless Veterans. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 115(1-2), 113-119 (2011).

Ilgen M. A., Wilbourne, P. L., Moos, B. S., Moos, R. H. Problem-free drinking over 16-years among individuals with alcohol use disorders. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 92: 116–122 (2008).

Finney, J.F., Wilbourne, P.L. & Moos, R.H. (2007). Psychosocial treatments for drug and alcohol use disorders. In P.E. Nathan & J.M. Gorman (Eds.), A Guide to Treatments that Work.

Humphreys, K. & Wilbourne, P.L. Editorial: Knitting together some ripping yarns. Addiction. Vol 101(1) Jan 2006, 4-5.

C’de Baca, J. & Wilbourne, P.L. (2003). Quantum Change: Twenty Years Later. Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session. 60(5),531-541.

Wilbourne, P.L. & Miller, W.R. (2002). Treatment for Alcoholism: Older and Wiser? Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, 20(3/4), 41-60.

Miller, W.R. & Wilbourne, P.L. (2002). Mesa Grande: A Methodological Analysis of Clinical Trials of Treatments for Alcohol Use Disorders. Addiction, 97(3), 265-277.

Miller, W.R., Wilbourne, P.L., Hetema, J. (2002). What Works? A Summary of Alcohol Treatment Outcome Research. In R. K. Hester (Ed.), Handbook of alcoholism treatment approaches: Effective alternatives. New York: Pergamon Press.

Handmaker, N.S. & Wilbourne, P.L. (2002). Motivational interventions in prenatal clinics. Alcohol Health and Research World, 25(3), 219-229.

Wilbourne, P.L., Wallerstedt, C., Dorato, V., & Curet, L.B. (2001). Clinical Management of Methadone Dependence during Pregnancy. The Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, 14(4), 26-45.

Miller, W.R., Andrews, N., Wilbourne, P.L., & Bennett, M., (1998). A Wealth of Alternatives: Effective Treatments for Alcohol Problems. In W.R. Miller & N. Heather (Eds.), Treating Addictive Behaviors (pp. 203-216). New York, NY: Plenum Press.