I’m passionate about helping you make meaningful changes.

Meet

Dr. Davidson

Dr. Davidson earned her bachelor of arts from DePauw University. She went on to earn both her masters in psychology and doctorate in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University and has gained experience in a range of settings including private practice, community mental health, hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Beyond her doctoral education, she has also gone on to gain specialized training in order to become a certified grief counselor (GC-C). Throughout her career, Dr. Davidson has focused on gaining skills that will help people to improve their health starting in early adulthood and as their age advances.

With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Davidson has provided services at some of the most well-respected hospitals in Southern California including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and City of Hope where she served patients facing a range of medical challenges including cancer, autoimmune conditions, heart disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and chronic pain. In addition to her work with medically ill patients, Dr. Davidson has successfully worked to help clients who have presented with a variety of mental health concerns including grief, anxiety, depression and problems with adjustment to life challenges.

Throughout her career, Dr. Davidson has had a strong interest in supervision and training. She began as a peer-supervisor during her time at the Pepperdine University Counseling Center, Encino. She then went on to supervise and train practicum students and medical interns at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. At City of Hope, Dr. Davidson developed, coordinated and provided supervision for the postdoctoral fellowship program in health psychology. In 2016, Dr. Davidson returned to the Pepperdine University Community Counseling Center in Encino where she supervised students pursuing their master's degree in marriage and family therapy. In 2017, Dr. Davidson began a training program for marriage and family therapy associates at the Rowan Center for Behavioral Medicine. Dr. Davidson continues to provide consultation and training in her private practice office.

Dr. Davidson currently provides psychotherapy services to patients at the Westlake Village Family Counseling and Trauma Center in Westlake Village, California and via Telehealth for patients in California and Arizona.

Dr. Davidson holds active licenses to practice in both California (License 24540) and Arizona (License 005506) and maintains privileges at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center.

Presentations and Publications

Emotional Challenges of Cancer Survivorship for AYA Patients
Davidson, S. L.  
City of Hope Adolescent and Young Adult Survivorship Program
January 20, 2023

Life After Treatment: Cultivating Resilience and Growing from Trauma
Davidson, S. L.  
BMT InfoNet: Celebrating a Second Change at Life Symposium
May 5, 2022

A Look at Sexuality, Intimacy and Relationships During and After Treatment
 Davidson, S. L. 
WeSpark Cancer Support Center
September 12, 2019

Post-traumatic Stress Versus Post-traumatic Growth
Davidson, S. L.
City of Hope Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Summit
February 9, 2019

Compassionate Cancer Care
Dr. G: Engaging Minds
KABC radio 790
August 5, 2018

Emotional Recovery Following Cancer Treatment
Davidson, S. L.
Roy and Patricia Disney Family Cancer Center, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center

Young Adult Panel: Coping with Stress and Disease
Panelist
StupidCancer Summit, City of Hope Medical Center
August 5, 2017

Psychological Approach to Cancer Patients and Cancer Survivors
Davidson, S. L.
Providence St. Joseph Medical Center

Communication in Clinical Psychology
Patel, S. K., Davidson, S., & Folbrecht, J.(2016)
In Wittenberg, E., Ferrell, B. R., Goldsmith, J., Smith, T., Ragan, S. L., Glajchen, M., & Handzo, G. (Eds.)
Textbook of Palliative Care Communications (71-78). New York: Oxford University Press.

Palliative Psychology: A Developing Frontier in Healthcare
Davidson, S. L., Folbrecht, J. & Patel, S. K.
Association of Psychologists in Academic Health Centers National Conference
Academic Health Centers in the Era of Interprofessionalism:
Multifaceted Contributions of Psychology, Poster Session
February 5, 2015

I'm done with treatment, now what? Best practices for education
Hammer, S. L., Mallory, L., Davidson, S. & Klein, L. A.
Cancer Patient Education Network, 23rd Annual Conference
September 19, 2013

Evidence Based Management of Insomnia
Zachariah, F., Davidson, S. L., & Van Zyl, C.
City of Hope National Medical Center
March 19, 2013

City of Hope’s Department of Supportive Care Medicine:
An Inter-Professional Practice in Cancer Care
Davidson, S. L.
American Psychological Association Annual Convention
Presidential Poster Session
August 4, 2012

Clinical Experience

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center City of Hope National Medical Center Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services LAC + USC Medical Center Pepperdine Community Counseling Center, Encino Rowan Center for Behavioral Medicine Union Rescue Mission, Pepperdine Counseling Center Veterans Administration Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center

Professional Memberships & Affiliations

American Psychological Association (APA) APA Division 38, Health Psychology
American Psychosocial Oncology Society
California Psychological Association
Los Angeles Psychological Association APA Division 12, Society of Clinical Psychology (2012-2022)
International Psycho-Oncology Society 2012-2014
National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists 2010-2014
APA Division 20, Adult Development and Aging 2011-2012
Society of Clinical Geropsychology 2011-2012
Society of Personality Assessment 2005-2011
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill 2007-2011 Association of Psychologists in Academic Healthcare Settings 2015-2016