MIRECC / CoE

The Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services across 10 different hospital/clinic sites, with state-of-the-art technology as well as education and research. Our health care facilities operate 808 inpatient beds, including three Community Living Centers and a 100-bed homeless domiciliary, and over 50 primary care and specialty outpatient clinics, serving over 67,000 enrolled Veterans.  The Psychosocial rehabilitation Interprofessional Fellowship accepts Social Work and Psychology post- graduates.  The Fellowship operates on a three-rotation model. Inpatient Acute Psychiatry serves as the initial immersion site for all fellow rotations placing fellows in immediate contact with veterans diagnosed with severe mental illness.  Veterans Recovery Center (VRC) is the second core rotation due to its strong emphasis on the recovery model.  The VRC immersion supports the fellow in understanding and applying recovery-oriented practice principles.  The third rotation is selected on the individual Fellow’s self-identified training needs and interests.

Katy Gominger, LCSW

Co-Director, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Fellowship; Supervisory Social Worker, Acute Inpatient Psychiatry; Peer Support Coordinator, Peer Support Services

Professional Interests: Long-standing interests in topics related to first-episode psychosis, suicide prevention, psychosocial rehabilitation, inpatient mental health operations, and organizational leadership.

Claire Hebenstreit, Ph.D

Co-Director of PSR Fellowship; Attending Psychologist, Acute Inpatient Psychiatry

Professional Interests: Severe Mental Illness, Forensic Issues, Ethical Considerations in Involuntary Psychiatric Treatment, Patient Advocacy, Person-Centered Mental Health Care.

The Fellowship Class of 2024 - 2025

Stacy Pinatelli, PsyD

Psychology Resident
Professional Interests: Strong interest in various therapeutic approaches, particularly in addressing serious mental illness (SMI) through recovery-orientated interventions. I specialize in processing traumatic life experiences through trauma-informed care. I am passionate about reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and understanding the complexities of comorbidity between trauma and SMI. My approach to therapy is rooted in compassion and person-centered care, creating a safe environment for patients to explore their challenges and work toward healing and recovery.

Magnus Swanson, Ph.D.

Psychology Resident
Professional Interests:Professional focus centers on therapeutic approaches which support veterans with serious mental illness (SMI) through a recovery-oriented lens. To assist veterans in leveraging their own strengths and abilities, and encouraging them to take active, collaborative roles in their recovery. Passion for supporting veterans who have experienced trauma and committed to utilizing trauma-informed care with this population. Guided by the PSR model, I practice an approach which emphasizes a holistic perspective, helping veterans improve functioning while also empowering them to directly participate in shared decision making and asserting their needs. Greatly value interdisciplinary collaboration in order to provide comprehensive care and to assist veterans in achieving their personal goals.

Clio Wilde, MSW

Social Work Fellow
Professional Interests:Providing recovery-oriented care in the overlapping clinical worlds of serious mental illness (SMI) and trauma. With a commitment to understanding each Veteran’s unique lived experience, strive to implement best clinical practices to promote individual healing, increased self-compassion, and authentic connection. My dedication to the PSR model is informed by my desire to meaningfully address mental health stigma within the Veteran community, and supporting Veterans in identifying, articulating, and actualizing their own life worth living goals.