Dr. Renata Pleshchuk
owner
Dr. Pleshchuk is prepared to invest herself, her time and energy toward applying herself. She hopes that she will be allowed to take those next steps toward that goal with you.
Additional Information
Dr. Pleshchuk obtained her Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Forensic Psychology with a Clinical Licensure Track from Alliant International University.
Her dissertation was on Victim Impact Statements in cases of Domestic Violence. Dr. Pleshchuk obtained pre-doctoral clinical training from a Batterer’s Intervention Program through the Psychological Services Center in Fresno, California; Valley State Prison for Women in Chowchilla, California; and at a Level 11 Sex Offender Group Home in Fresno, California. Dr. Pleshchuk completed an APPIC approved, pre-doctoral internship at South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center in Florida City, Florida. Dr. Pleshchuk has held the following positions within the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: Clinical Psychologist with the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison Corcoran in Corcoran, California and as a Senior Psychologist Supervisor at California State Prison, Sacramento and at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione, Ca. Dr. Pleshchuk completes Court Appointed evaluations for Sacramento County, Amador County and San Joaquin County. Dr. Pleshchuk has worked as an Adjunct Professor for Argosy University teaching classes for a Master’s Level Forensic Psychology program. Currently, Dr. Pleshchuk works in the Emergency Department with Kaiser Permanente evaluating patients to determine whether or not the meet criteria for psychiatric hospitalization. Lastly, Dr. Pleshchuk is a licensed psychologist in the state of California and New Hampshire
Dr. Pleshchuk worked within the Psychiatric Services Unit (the prison, within the prison), a unit which houses the most violent and mentally ill offenders in the state, conducting threat assessments and crisis intervention management for those with severe and debilitating mental health disorders. The structure and guidance Dr. Pleshchuk provided has had a direct impact on reducing assaults, improving rehabilitation services, and keeping staff members safe. Dr. Pleshchuk played an essential role in maintaining collaboration amongst various disciplines. Dr. Pleshchuk exhibited a clear strength at building rapport with inmates, working very confidently with inmates, most of whom were mentally unstable and have an extensive history of violence. Dr. Pleshchuk exhibited a compassionate, client-centered approach while at the same time providing clear and consistent limit-setting with what is known to be a difficult population.
At these forensic settings, Dr. Pleshchuk has grown to appreciate and value the unique challenges of the forensic population. Many of these individuals she has worked with have suffered from major mental illnesses and she has the ability to manage their varying temperaments making her an asset in the field.
Through her experiences, Dr. Pleshchuk has developed the expertise to provide evidenced-based treatments, employing a comprehensive approach that encompasses treatment planning and collaboration with an interdisciplinary team. Such experiences have served to aid in the development of thorough treatment plans for justice-involved clients with whom she works.
Dr. Pleshchuk also possesses a strong aptitude for collaborating effectively with attorneys to identify and implement solutions that best serve the interests of defendants. Through her professional experience, she has developed a keen understanding of the legal landscape and recognizes the importance of working closely with legal professionals to achieve favorable outcomes.
Dr. Pleshchuk's collaboration with attorneys includes working together to navigate the legal process, addressing the psychological nuances of each case, and helping to identify outcomes that align with the defendant’s unique circumstances.
In addition to her work in forensic psychology, Dr. Pleshchuk is actively involved in mentoring and educating future psychologists. She dedicates a portion of her time and expertise to mentoring psychologists and supervising students, shaping the minds of aspiring psychologists and preparing them for their professional careers. She imparts her knowledge, promotes ethical practices, and contributes to the growth and development of the field, while nurturing a new wave of professionals who are equipped to make meaningful contributions to the realm of forensic psychology.
Goals
Dr. Pleshchuk ‘s highest life’s goal is to be one of the fortunate individuals to try to unlock the mechanics and secrets of the mind; the most intricate, complicated, and challenging entity to study. Her goals for her professional career include rendering her experience and services to those that need trained assistance while becoming high caliber in working with clients/patients. With this objective, Dr. Pleshchuk plans to implement all of the knowledge she has gained toward her chosen career. She aspires to optimally understand, interpret, and apply cutting edge theory in clinical psychology into practice.
Education
- Alliant International University, Doctorate of Philosophy: Forensic Psychology, Clinical Licensure Track
- Alliant International University, Master of Arts: Forensic Psychology Clinical Licensure Track
- University of California, Davis, Bachelor of Arts: Psychology
Current Positions
- Owner, RPK Forensic Psychological and Consultation Services Inc.
- Criminal Expert Adult and/or Juvenile Panel: Sacramento County, Yolo County, Amador County, Placer County, El Dorado County and San Joaquin County
- Crisis Psychologist, Emergency Department, Kaiser Permanente
- Contract Evaluating Psychologist for Alta California Regional Center (Competency and Risk Assessment)
- Department of State Hospitals (IST Reevaluation Services)
- Department of Social Services (Disability Determination Services)
Prior Work Experience
- Senior Psychologist Supervisor, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Senior Psychologist Specialist, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Psychologist, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Psychology Intern, South Florida Evaluation and Treatment Center
- Psychological Trainee, W. Gary Cannon Psychological Services Center Center
- Primary Adolescent Psychotherapist, Quality Care Group Homes Inc.
- Psychology Student, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
- Sexual Assault Response Team Advocate and Bilingual Shelter Advocate, Yolo County Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center
- Sexual Assault Response Team Advocate, Women Escaping a Violent Environment Inc
- Adjunct Professor, Argosy University
- Teaching Assistant, Alliant International University
Board Memberships
- Director of Communications, Folsom Sea Otters
- Prior Board Member, Yolo County Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Center
Certifications
- Certified Correctional Health Professional
- Victim Advocate, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
Professional Affiliations
- Western American Correctional Health Services Association (WACHSA)
- American Academy of Forensic Psychology (AAFP)
- Society for Personality Assessment (SPA)
- Sacramento Valley Psychologist Association (SVPS)
- Society for the Advancement of Actual Risk Need Assessment (SAARNA)
- California Psychological Association (CPA)
- Forensic Mental Health Association of California (FMHAC)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- Society of Criminal and Policy Psychology (SPCP)
- National Scholars Honor Society (NSHS)
- Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP)
- Association for the Treatment and Prevention of Sexual Abuse (ATSA)
- American Institute For The Advancement Of Forensic Studies (AIAFS)