Dr. Gillian Binnie, PsyD

Training & Experience

I earned my Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University. During my graduate training, I worked with children and families at several mental health agencies in Southern California including the Child & Family Guidance Center, Department of Mental Health Specialized Foster Care, and Harbor UCLA’s Pediatric and Child Assessment track. I worked with children, adolescents, and adults with trauma histories and other challenging life circumstances. I provided treatment and assessment for individuals with a wide array of clinical presentations including depression, anxiety, trauma, developmental delays, and family relationship dynamics. I completed my American Psychological Association (APA) accredited pre-doctoral residency at The Guidance Center, where I provided treatment to families (individual, family and parenting coaching treatment) conducted psychological assessments, and provided medical consultation at Miller’s Children’s & Women’s Hospital.  I completed my Postdoctoral Fellowship at UCLA TIES for Families, where I provided services (assessment, individual therapy, family therapy, parent coaching and group therapy for children and adults) to a population of families with adopted (or working towards adopting) children. My fellowship allowed me the opportunity to receive additional training in the assessment and treatment of infant mental health.  I am certified to provide Parent-Child Interaction Therapy as well as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy. I am passionate about supporting adopted kids and their families!

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Philosophy & Style

My therapeutic approach is informed by person-centered and relational practices with strong values in cultural humility. I aim to create a collaborative relationship with families where empathy and compassion serve as the foundation for active and direct interventions. I am passionate about empowering client’s voices to share their lived experiences and encourage reflection and feedback as part of the therapy.

I strive to create a therapeutic space shaped by the needs of the individual and family as my experience has taught me the importance of understanding people in their context. I utilize evidence-based treatments (like Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy interventions) while staying grounded in understanding the unique needs of each family to support them reaching goals of emotional regulation, relationship enhancement and life satisfaction. I believe in the importance of involving parents and other helping adults in a child’s treatment to support best outcomes for the family as a whole.   

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