Biography

Seema Jacob, PsyD, is an assistant professor in the Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She earned her PsyD in clinical psychology at Wright State University with a clinical psychology doctoral internship (area of specialization: infant mental health) at Tulane University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. She completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship training in clinical child psychology (area of specialization: early childhood mental health) and the Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (LEND) training program at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (USC UCEDD).

She was an assistant professor at the University of New Mexico (UNM) – Center for Development and Disability. She has done 1,000+ comprehensive developmental and diagnostic evaluations for neurodevelopmental disorders in the early childhood evaluation clinics and autism spectrum evaluation clinics. She also has provided treatment and assessment services for infants and young children in foster care (Infant Team Program) and infants and young children with behavioral social emotional concerns (Parent-Infant Psychotherapy Program). Additionally, she has trained psychology doctoral students, interns and post-doctoral trainees through ongoing clinical training, presentations, and didactics.

Her clinical specialties include diagnosis and early screening of developmental delays and disabilities in infants and young children (newborn to five), assessment and relationship-based interventions with high-risk newborn to five children and their families. She is certified in multiple evidenced-based interventions including Child-Parent Psychotherapy (CPP), Incredible Years (IY), Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), and Circle of Security – Parenting Training (COSP). She is a member of the World Association for Infant Mental Health, First3Years (Texas Infant Mental Health Association), Zero to Three, and American Psychological Association (APA).

Education

Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology
Wright State University
Predoctoral Clinical Internship in Clinical Child Psychology
Tulane University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Clinical Child Psychology
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities
Leadership and Education in Neurodevelopmental Disorders Trainee
Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, USC University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities

Areas of Interest

Clinical Interests

  • Infant Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • Early Childhood Assessment
  • Parent-Child Relationship Assessment and Treatment
  • Trauma in early childhood (including maltreatment and neglect)
  • Early screening and diagnosis of Autism and other developmental disabilities in young children (0-5 years)
  • Intersection of Developmental Disabilities and Trauma
  • Interdisciplinary Care
  • Family-centered care

Research Interests

  • Community based program development and program evaluation
  • Culturally Sensitive approaches in assessment and treatment
  • Trauma in early childhood
  • Socioemotional Development
  • Infant Mental Health