Holly Magana, PhD

Dr. Magaña has worked with children and families exposed to violence for close to thirty years. She obtained her doctorate degree from the University of California Irvine and completed additional post graduate work in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University and the United States International University.  Her professional experience includes work with severely emotionally disturbed children, families affected by divorce, domestic violence, victims of sexual abuse, and youth in the foster care system.

With an interest in evidence-based and best practice models of care, Dr. Magaña has been instrumental in Orange County’s implementation of the Multidimensional Treatment Foster Care program, an evidence-based model of intervention to help high-risk children in the foster care system to return to their families and communities.  She also has oversight of the mental health component of the Child Abuse Services Team – Orange Counties nationally accredited Child Advocacy Center.  She has recently begun working on projects aimed at improving trauma-informed practices in the child welfare system.

Dr. Magaña has taught courses at the University of California Irvine, California State University Fullerton and two universities in Guadalajara and Queretaro Mexico.  She has provided numerous trainings and presentations to Social Workers, Social Work Administrators, childcare workers, group home workers and foster parents.  She also maintains a small private practice in Irvine, California.