Laura V. Lovato
Education
Ph.DUniversity of North Carolina, Charlotte
August, 2008-presentClinical Health Psychology
B.S. Cum LaudeColoradoStateUniversity
May, 2006Major: Psychology, Minor: English
Professional and Clinical Experience
CMC-RandolphBehavioral Health Consultant and Therapist
Charlotte, NC(August, 2014 – Current) Provide behavioral health consultation to the health care team, provide group and individual therapy to patients.
Alzheimer’s PreventionEvaluator (August, 2013 – Current) Administer
Study, Takeda Industriescognitive battery to participants.
Concord, NC
Pfieffer UniversityCounselor (August, 2013 – Current) Provide
Charlotte, NCpersonal growth counseling to MFT students enrolled in the program.
Mecklenburg CountyCommittee Member (January, 2013 – Current)
HIV/AIDS CouncilDevelop strategies and recommendations for a
Charlotte, NCbroad-based comprehensive plan to eliminate HIV/AIDS in Mecklenburg County.
Regional Aids Interfaith NetworkNetwork Volunteer (January 2011 – Current)
Charlotte, NCResponsibilities include providing support (transportation, emotional, end stage AIDS issues) to HIV positive clients.
Ryan White ProgramEvaluation Team Member (2012 -2014)
Charlotte, NCTasks included reviewing, evaluating, and rating funding applications.
UNC CharlotteInstructor (August, 2012 – May, 2013; Summers
Charlotte, NCof 2010 and 2011)Developed undergraduate course on introduction to Health Psychology. Led discussion, developed classroom activities, grading.
C. W. WilliamsHealth Psychology Consultant (July, 2011-Charlotte, NC January, 2013) Responsibilities include conducting
intake, providing consultation regarding clients with providers, and conducting individual therapy sessions.
Counseling Center, UNCCTherapist(August, 2009 – May, 2012)
Charlotte, NCActivities include intakes, individual therapy, process observation and co-leadership of interpersonal group sessions, and co-leadership of a structured groups addressing healthy relationships and coping skills.
ADHD/LD Assessments, UNCCEvaluator (August, 2010 – May, 2011)
Charlotte, NCResponsibilities include administering, scoring, and interpretation of a variety of cognitive tests and batteries as well as write up of reports.
Mindfulness Meditation GroupCo-leader (January 2011 – June, 2011)
UNCCResponsibilities include organizing, planning, and
Charlotte, NCconducting 50 minute mindfulness meditation and
education for graduate students.
Undergraduate Journal of Editor (2011)
Psychology, UNCCResponsibilities include reviewing submitted
Charlotte, NCarticle, providing edits, and making recommendations regarding acceptance.
Project Safe, UCHSCCase Manager (December 2006-July 2008)
Denver, COResponsibilities include conducting strength-based
case management with minority women who use crack cocaine, running group sessions, completed interviews, as well as providing information and referrals.
DREAM FoundationRespite Care Provider (July 2006-October 2006)
Fort Collins, COResponsibilities included temporary care for children with serious emotional, brain, or behavioral disturbances.
SuicideResourceCenterSpeaker and Advocate (January 2005-Nov. 2006)
Loveland, COResponsibilities included presenting to high schools and junior highs on suicide, depression, and bipolar disorder.
Colorado State UniversityInstructor(January 2006-May 2006)
Psychology DepartmentResponsibilities included leading class discussions
Fort Collins, COon contemporary issues relevant to psychology, evaluation of papers and work completed, as well as instruction.
Research Experience
Evaluation of Systems of CareResearch Assistant (January, 2009-August, 2010
Primary Investigators: Jim Cook, PhD and Ryan
Killmer, PhD
Examination Stress and Principal Investigator (August, 2009-May, 2010)
Drinking in a CollegeSecond Year Research Project
Population
Alcohol Expectancies and Co-Investigator (November, 2009-May, 2010)
Drunk Driving BehaviorPrimary Investigator: Art Blume, PhD
Motivational Interviewing withResearch Assistant/Interviewer (March, 2009-College Drinkers July, 2009) Primary Investigators: Donna Kazemi,
PhD, RN and Art Blume, PhD.
Review of Mental Health Research Assistant(May 2006-July
Referrals2006) Primary Investigator: Lee Rosen, Ph.D.
Effects of Expectations on Study Supervisor(September 2005-May
Fairness Perceptions2006) Primary Investigator: Zinta Byrne, Ph.D.
Stimulus and Response Research Assistant (January 2005-May
Chunking in the Hebb Digits 2005) Primary Investigator: Ben Clegg, Ph.D.
Task
Applied Personality AssessmentResearch Assistant (January 2005-May
2006) Primary Investigator: Eric Heggestad, Ph.D.
Performance Feedback and Research Assistant (September 2004-Expectations December 2004) Primary Investigator: Zinta Byrne, Ph.D.
Publications
Blume, A. W., Lovato, L. V., Thyken, B. N., & Denny, N. (2012). The relationship of microaggressions with alcohol use and anxiety among ethnic minority college students in a historically White institution. Journal of Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 18(1), 45-54, doi: 10.1037/a0025457.
Blume, A. W., & Lovato, L. V. (2009). Empowering the disempowered: Harm reduction with racial/ethnic minority clients. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 66(2), 189-200.
Lovato, L. (2002). Stem cell research. Talking Back: Student Writers Speak Out, 2(1).
Conferences and Presentations
Blume, A. W. & Lovato, L. V. (2010, June). Racial and ethnic microaggressions, anxiety and alcohol use among college students. Poster to be presented at the First Annual APA Division 45 Conference in Ann Arbor, MI.
Bishop, T., Abraczinskas, M., Johnson, V., Kilmer, R. P., & Cook, J. R. Lovato, L.(October, 2011).Building child welfare’s capacity to screen for behavioral and emotional difficulties among children and youth.Poster presented at the Southeastern Ecological-Community Psychology Conference, Atlanta, GA
Johnson, V.A., Dashiell, J., Cook, J.R., Kilmer, R. P., & Lovato, L.(2012). Collaboration, data sharing, and integration within community-university partnerships: Evaluating family support programs. Poster presented at the 15th Annual Conference for Community-Campus Partnerships for Health, Houston, TX.
Kilmer, R.P., Cook, J.R., Palamaro Munsell**, E., & Lovato**, L. V. (June, 2010). Recommended changes to policy and system function: Supporting prevention initiatives in Systems of Care.Poster presented at the 18thannual meeting of the Society for Prevention Research, Denver, CO.
Lovato, L.V.(2014, March).HIV stigma and health outcomes among people living with HIV/AIDS. Paper presented at the Graduate Student Research Symposium at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Lovato, L. V. & Strompolis, M. (2010, March). Alcohol expectancies and drunk driving behavior among Mexican-American college students. Paper presented at the Graduate Student Research Symposium at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Lovato, L. V. & Strater, K. P. (2010, March). Examining Social Connectedness in a System of Care. Poster presented at the Annual Children’s Mental Health Research and Policy Conference in Tampa, FL.
Schied, T. & Lovato, L. V. (2014, November). The Persistence of Stigma Among Consumers Despite Supportive Relationship with HIV Provider. Poster to be presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo in New Orleans, LA.
Strater, K. P., & Lovato, L.V. (2009, October). Social Connectedness in a System of Care and College Sample. Paper presented at the Southeast ECO Conference in Columbia, SC at the University of South Carolina.
Honors and Awards
Health Psychology Program Research Award (2014)
Winant Clayton volunteer program member (Summer 2012)
UNC Charlotte Counseling Center Graduate Assistantship (2010-2011 and 2011-2012)
Summer Doctoral Teaching Assistant Institute (2011)
Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Summer Fellowship (2010)
Wayland H. Cato, Jr. Fellowship, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Inaugural Recipient (2008-2012)
Distinguished Scholar, Colorado State University (2002-2006)
Psychology Department Scholarship Award, Colorado State University (2005-2006)
Hughes Undergraduate Research Scholar (2002-2003)
Psi Chi President, Colorado State University
Professional Affiliation
American Psychological Association, student member
American Psychological Association, Division 45, student member