Training and Experience

Dr. Scher is a graduate of the San Diego State University/ University of California, San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in Experimental Psychopathology.  During her graduate training, she gained extensive experience in delivering scientifically-supported treatments for anxiety and depression, including cognitive-behavioral therapy. Her graduate work culminated in a predoctoral internship in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she gained additional experience in scientifically-supported treatments with a focus on cognitive-behavioral treatment of anxiety disorders. Following receipt of her Ph.D., Dr. Scher  completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Missouri- St. Louis Center for Trauma Recovery. There, she gained in-depth experience in the treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related concerns. 

Dr. Scher has been a licensed psychologist since 2001. Her private practice focuses specifically on what she knows best: treating anxiety, depression, and related concerns using scientifically-supported approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. 

Approach to Treatment

Dr. Scher is guided by the principles of evidence-based practice (EBP). Specifically, when working with clients, she considers first the scientific evidence for using a specific treatment for a client's specific concerns. After choosing an initial treatment approach based on this evidence, she then considers how client-specific factors such as life stage, cultural background, and current stressors  may impact treatment, and alters treatment accordingly.  Using her 20+ years of experience working with clients, Dr. Scher is able to tailor scientifically- supported therapies to help each client reach his or her goals in a time-efficient, cost-effective manner.