Staff Biographies

Kathleen “Kat” Fernandez, Drug and Alcohol Specialist

Kat Fernandez is a Certified Alcoholism and Other Drug Addictions Recovery Specialist who works closely with Dr. Pizitz to provide treatment to those struggling with addiction. She has worked in the field of chemical dependency for ten years.

Her career history includes working as a DUI Counselor for Accord, and as a Substance Abuse Counselor at the McAlister Institute Detoxification program. Other employment has included working as a recovery specialist with the P3 Parolee Program, SARMS Program (Substance Abuse Recovery Management Systems) and as a drug and alcohol counselor for the East County Drug Court. Presently, she works as a Co-occurring Disorders Counselor and Prop 36 Case Manager, Mental Health Systems, Inc., Pegasus East. She currently heads up the Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program offered at Dr. Pizitz’s offices.

Shay Groenewold, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Groenewold is a licensed psychologist. She earned her Master’s degree and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University in San Diego, CA. She has experience working in outpatient, short-term residential, and hospital treatment settings. She has treated an array of adult clientele, including at-risk, severely mentally ill, dual diagnosis, and criminal offenders. Currently, she provides the following services: individual therapy, group therapy, mental health evaluations, psychological testing, and coordination of care within the community. Dr. Groenewold also holds a Certification with the California State Sexual Offender Management Board (CASOMB).

Francesca Luizza, PsyD, Licensed Psychologist

Dr. Luizza has worked for the office of Todd D. Pizitz, PhD, Inc for several years. She has experience providing clinical and forensic evidenced-based treatment interventions and evaluations for a broad spectrum of clients. Dr. Luizza earned a Psy.D. from the California School of Professional Psychology-San Diego in 2020 and completed her APA internship at the Los Angeles County Jail. Dr. Luizza worked with male, female, and transgender populations at Century Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood and the Forensic Inpatient Hospital at Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown Los Angeles. tions, involuntary hospitalization holds, and certificate review hearings. As a doctoral student, Dr. Luizza trained at Alpine Special Treatment Center where she worked with patients on conservatorship; R.J. Donovan Correctional Facility where she provided individual and group therapy to maximum security inmate-patients in general population, protective custody, and solitary confinement; and Sharper Future, where she received specialized training and certification working with male and female sex offenders.

Daniella Norena, PsyD, Registered Psychological Associate

Daniella Norena is Spanish speaking evaluator and therapist who has worked for the office of Todd D. Pizitz, PhD for the past few years. She has a speciality in working with forensic and clinical clients and conducts therapy and psychological evaluations in both English and Spanish. Ms. Norena has worked at Sharp Pain Clinic and Rady’s Children Hospital during her pre-doctoral training. She earned a Master’s degree from Chapman University and is currently completing requirements for her doctoral degree from Alliant International University.

Toree Patten, MA-Registered Psychological Associate

Toree Patten is a master’s level registered psychological associate under the direct supervision of Dr. Todd D. Pizitz, and a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program at Alliant International University. She provides psychological evaluations and psychotherapy sessions to clients. She is actively involved in research studies as a member of the Trauma Research Institute and STRIVE research lab. She has completed clinical training at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility (RJDCF) and at Dr. Todd D. Pizitz Inc. Prior to her graduate level clinical training, she worked with children and adolescents at Albertina Kerr Subacute facility and Providence hospital on the Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Unit. She has also gained clinical experience working with adults at SHARP Mesa Vista on the Adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Ms. Patten is presently a member of the San Diego Psychological Association (SDPA) and the American Psychological Association (APA).

Paulina Serrato Padilla, MA–Registered Psychological Associate

Paulina Serrato Padilla, M.A., is a bilingual Registered Psychological Associate who operates under the direct supervision of Dr. Pizitz. She is in the process of completing a PsyD in Clinical Psychology from the California Professional School of Psychology at Alliant International University in San Diego, CA. She has experience working in outpatient, short-term residential, inpatient locked facilities, and medical settings. She has treated various adult and juvenile populations including at-risk, severely mentally ill, dual diagnosis, and criminal offenders. She has been providing individual therapy, mental health, forensic, and psychosexual evaluations, psychological testing, and coordination of care within the community under the supervision of Dr. Pizitz since 2023.