A Special Invitation from OPAL Psychological
Beyond the classroom.Into the world of psychology.
Explore the possibilities of connecting psychology students, emerging professionals, and practicing clinicians through education, community, and real-world experience.
A thoughtfully prepared introduction for members and leaders of the UC San Diego psychology community.
ScrollA Note to You
A Note to the UC San Diego Psychology Community
Your interest in psychology is about more than what happens in the classroom.
It's about people, questions, discovery, connection, and the many ways psychological knowledge can make a difference.
At OPAL Psychological, we believe the next generation of psychology professionals deserves opportunities to see how the field comes to life beyond textbooks and lectures.
We're excited to begin a conversation about how our La Jolla practice might contribute to that journey.
In looking at the publicly available programs of UC San Diego's psychology community, we noticed students building something meaningful: research projects, a student-edited journal, service in the community, wellness programming for peers, and thoughtful conversations about careers. That energy is what prompted this invitation.
— The OPAL Psychological Team
What Is OPAL Psychological?
A Different Kind of Psychological Practice.
OPAL is a boutique practice in the Village of La Jolla, built around personalized, culturally responsive, evidence-based care and the deep connection between mental and physical health.
- Personalized, evidence-based care
- Cultural responsiveness
- Whole-person psychology
- Clinical excellence
- Professional curiosity
- Community connection
- Meaningful human relationships
- Navigating challenging periods of life
Founder & Clinical Director
Dr. Ladera Linn, PsyD
Dr. Linn is a licensed clinical psychologist in California who specializes in behavioral medicine and was trained in Health Psychology — the study of how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health and illness. She often collaborates with medical professionals and uses a culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and strengths-based approach.
Choose Your Exploration Path
Where would you like to begin?
Every visitor arrives with different questions. Start wherever feels most useful — it's all on this page.
I'm exploring a career in psychology
Meet clinicians, discover professional pathways and see how psychological knowledge translates into practice.
I'm interested in collaboration
Explore potential student events, educational workshops, professional development experiences and community initiatives.
I'm looking for support
Explore OPAL's psychological services, clinicians and resources for navigating student life and young adulthood.
From Psychology Student to Psychology Professional
Your Psychology Journey Doesn't End at Graduation.
Explore the many directions a psychology education can lead. There is no single sequence — here is one common outline, followed by several different routes.
Undergraduate study
A psychology major or minor, with room to explore subfields.
Early experience
Research assistantships, volunteering, or entry-level roles in mental health and related fields.
Graduate education
Master's or doctoral training, depending on the profession you want.
Supervised training
Practicum, internship and post-degree supervised experience.
Licensure, where applicable
Requirements vary by profession and by state.
Specialized practice
Focusing on populations, settings or methods that fit you.
Different routes, different destinations
Clinical Psychology (PsyD or PhD)
A doctoral degree, supervised clinical training including an internship, post-doctoral supervised experience, and a licensing process set by the state (in California, through the Board of Psychology). This is the route to practicing as a licensed psychologist.
Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy
Typically a master's degree followed by supervised hours and a licensing exam. In California, these professions are licensed through the Board of Behavioral Sciences.
Psychiatry
Psychiatrists are physicians: medical school (MD or DO) followed by residency training. Psychiatrists can prescribe medication, and often work alongside psychologists and therapists.
Psychological Research
Research assistantships and honors work are common starting points. Careers leading independent research most often involve doctoral study, in settings such as universities, industry and government.
Sport & Performance Psychology
Pathways vary: some professionals train in clinical or counseling psychology, others in sport and exercise science. Titles and credentials differ, so it's worth researching programs closely. OPAL's Dr. Kai Chuang is a licensed clinical psychologist with particular experience working with athletes.
Psychological Assessment
Assessment involves interviews, standardized measures and careful interpretation. Administering and interpreting many tests requires advanced graduate training, supervised experience and, in many cases, licensure.
Behavioral Health Administration
Clinics, hospitals and community organizations need leaders who understand both care and operations. Many start with a bachelor's degree and experience; some add graduate study in public health, healthcare administration or business.
Healthcare Entrepreneurship
Starting a practice or health-related business combines clinical, ethical and business skills. Clinical services must be provided by appropriately licensed professionals, and there are regulatory considerations along the way.
Questions students often ask
What does a clinical psychologist actually do?
Depending on the role, a clinical psychologist may provide psychotherapy, conduct psychological assessments, consult with other professionals, supervise trainees, teach, or carry out research. Many combine several of these.
What's the difference between a PsyD and a PhD?
Both are doctoral degrees that can lead to licensure. PhD programs traditionally emphasize research training alongside clinical work, while PsyD programs emphasize applied clinical practice. Programs differ, so compare curricula, training sites and accreditation.
What is supervised clinical training?
It's hands-on experience delivering care under the oversight of licensed professionals — typically practicum placements, a pre-doctoral internship, and post-degree supervised hours. Requirements vary by profession and state.
What can I do with a bachelor's degree in psychology?
Common options include research assistant roles, behavioral health or case-management support roles, community outreach, education support, human resources and user research. A bachelor's degree on its own does not qualify someone to practice independently as a licensed psychologist.
How do psychologists specialize?
Through graduate coursework, the populations and settings they train in, internship and post-doctoral focus, and continuing education. Examples include health, sport, child and adolescent, assessment and trauma-informed work.
What's it like working in private practice?
It blends clinical work with the realities of running a small organization: scheduling, documentation, ethics and communication. It's a topic we'd welcome exploring with students in conversation.
These are general educational career insights, not formal academic or licensure advising. For decisions about your own path, please consult UC San Diego's advising resources and the relevant licensing boards.
Meet the People Behind the Practice
Real People. Real Careers. Different Paths Through Psychology.
Three licensed clinical psychologists, three different areas of focus.
Dr. Ladera Linn, PsyD
Founder & Clinical Psychologist
A licensed clinical psychologist in California who specializes in behavioral medicine and founded OPAL.
Explore Their Professional Journey
Dr. Linn was trained in Health Psychology and helps people manage stress, cope with chronic conditions and adopt healthier lifestyles. Her focus areas include sleep health, chronic pain management, stress reduction and burnout prevention, and she often collaborates with medical professionals. As the founder of OPAL, she also leads the practice.
Dr. Kai Chuang, PsyD
Clinical Psychologist
A licensed clinical psychologist who works with adults and adolescents, with particular experience working with Division I and professional athletes.
Explore Their Professional Journey
Dr. Chuang's integrative approach is grounded primarily in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, attachment theory and trauma-informed care. His work centers on building emotional literacy and psychological flexibility, and he also works with other high-functioning professionals facing significant expectations and pressure.
Dr. Alina Mraz, PsyD
Clinical Psychologist
A licensed clinical psychologist who supports adolescents and young adults through mental health and life-transition challenges.
Explore Their Professional Journey
Dr. Mraz earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University, San Diego. She completed an APA-accredited internship at Sharp Mesa Vista and a postdoctoral fellowship at the Forensic Assessment Institute of Southern California. Her therapy draws on CBT, DBT and ACT.
Profiles describe each clinician's professional background as published on OPAL's website. Their involvement in any future student activity has not been arranged and would depend on their availability and agreement. See all providers.
Possible Collaboration Ideas
What Could We Build Together?
Ideas for connecting classroom learning with professional perspectives, community engagement and clinical practice.
Meet a Psychologist
Student discussion or virtual speaker event
Discussion panels and Q&A sessions about real-world practice, career decisions, graduate education and professional experiences.
Behind the Practice
Small-group introduction
A look at how a private psychological practice operates.
- Practice management
- Care coordination
- Patient experience
- Ethical responsibilities
- Professional communication
- Clinical team structure
Any actual visit would require advance arrangements, confidentiality safeguards and appropriate capacity.
The Psychology Career Lab
Career-development sessions
Career exploration, graduate-school planning, interview preparation, CV and résumé education, professional networking and practical conversations about options.
Mind & Performance Workshops
Educational sessions
Stress and performance, academic burnout, performance anxiety, motivation and identity, sport psychology, and sustainable achievement.
Mental Health in the Community
Community education
Mental health awareness and education initiatives that reach beyond campus, shaped together with student leaders.
Inside Psychological Assessment
Educational introduction
Clinical interviewing, psychological testing concepts, ADHD assessment, executive functioning, interpretation and clinical decision-making, and responsible assessment practices.
Educational only — students would not administer restricted tests or provide clinical assessments.
These are initial ideas for discussion. Activities, scheduling, participation and formal arrangements would be developed collaboratively and remain subject to appropriate review and approval.
Connecting with Student Interests
Inspired by What Psychology Students Are Already Building.
We read how the UCSD Psi Chi & Psychology Club publicly describes its committees. Below are possible areas of connection — conversation starters only. No committee has agreed to anything with OPAL.
Possible Area of Connection
Research Committee
Publicly described as a student-initiated, hands-on research project, with results presented at conferences.
Potential conversation topicEvidence-based practice, research literacy, and how research informs clinical decisions.
Possible Area of Connection
Pre-Health Committee
Publicly described as exploring how psychology connects to healthcare careers through workshops, speakers and networking.
Potential conversation topicBehavioral health, interdisciplinary practice, and career perspectives from health psychology.
Possible Area of Connection
Community Service Committee
Publicly described as partnering with local San Diego organizations on volunteer projects.
Potential conversation topicMental health education and community-awareness opportunities.
Possible Area of Connection
Mental Health Committee
Publicly described as offering student well-being programming and career and graduate-school workshops.
Potential conversation topicStudent wellness, stress education and mental health literacy.
Possible Area of Connection
Business Committee
Publicly described as hands-on work with organizations through the lens of business psychology.
Potential conversation topicPractice operations, behavioral healthcare entrepreneurship, ethical marketing and professional leadership.
Possible Area of Connection
Journal Committee
Publicly described as compiling, reviewing and publishing the Journal of Undergraduate Psychological Research.
Potential conversation topicPsychology communication, academic writing, and translating psychological science for wider audiences.
Possible Area of Connection
Psi Beta Day Committee
Publicly described as hosting community college students for lab tours, panels and guidance on transferring.
Potential conversation topicEducational discussions about the transition from undergraduate study to psychology careers.
Possible Area of Connection
Induction Committee
Publicly described as planning the annual Induction Ceremony recognizing members and milestones.
Potential conversation topicPossible recognition of academic growth and professional milestones — only if invited by the organization.
The department's public workshop calendar and the club's programming already include alumni panels, research-assistant panels, professor spotlights, a sports-psychologist job talk, and Ph.D. vs. Psy.D. discussions. Anything we explore together should complement that, not duplicate it.
Experiences We Could Envision
Imagine the Possibilities.
Six event concepts to react to, change, or set aside. Save the ones that appeal to you and they'll appear in your shareable list further down the page.
Coffee & Careers in Psychology
An informal professional discussion
A relaxed conversation about career pathways and graduate education.
Inside the Mind of a Student-Athlete
A possible discussion with Dr. Kai Chuang
An educational conversation about mental performance, pressure and identity.
Behind the Doors of Private Practice
A professional introduction
What it takes to run and work within a psychology practice.
From Research to Real Life
A discussion
How psychological research is translated into practical clinical approaches.
The Psychology of Burnout
A student-oriented workshop
Exploring stress, expectations and sustainable achievement.
Meet the Founder
A possible discussion with Dr. Ladera Linn
Professional training, clinical leadership and establishing a private practice.
These are examples for discussion, not confirmed events. No dates, speakers, locations or registrations have been set, and any participation by OPAL clinicians remains subject to their availability and appropriate approvals.
Support for the Student Experience
Taking Care of Yourself Is Part of the Journey, Too.
Feeling stretched is a normal part of college life. When something starts to weigh on you for longer than you'd like, support is available.
Academic stress & anxiety
Pressure before exams and deadlines is common. When worry stays constant or starts to affect sleep, focus or relationships, therapy can offer practical tools.
Anxiety therapy at OPAL →ADHD & executive functioning
Trouble getting started, staying organized or managing time can have many causes. Understanding your patterns is often the first step toward strategies that fit.
ADHD therapy at OPAL →Burnout & emotional exhaustion
Running on empty isn't a character flaw. Therapy can help you look at expectations, rest and boundaries so achievement feels more sustainable.
Individual therapy at OPAL →Identity & life transitions
New cities, new communities, changing goals and graduation all ask us to redefine ourselves. A thoughtful space can make those shifts easier to navigate.
Neurodiversity at OPAL →Depression & mood concerns
Low mood, loss of interest or feeling flat for weeks deserves attention, not self-criticism. Therapy offers support and evidence-based ways forward.
Mood & depression therapy →Sports & performance pressure
High expectations, identity tied to results and the fear of letting people down can weigh on athletes and high achievers alike.
Sports psychology at OPAL →OPAL is not a substitute for campus resources.
UC San Diego's Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides counseling and crisis support for registered students. OPAL is an independent private practice and offers another option for those who want one.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), call CAPS at 858-249-0030 (24/7 crisis support is described on the CAPS website), or go to your nearest emergency room.
Psychological Assessment & the Future of Practice
A Closer Look at Psychological Assessment.
Assessment can inform clinical understanding, diagnosis and treatment planning. Topics we'd enjoy exploring with students:
- ADHD assessments
- Executive-functioning concerns
- Clinical interviews
- Standardized psychological measures
- Behavioral & emotional assessment
- Evidence-informed reporting
- Ethical interpretation
How does an assessment work?
Clarifying the referral question
It begins with what someone wants to understand — for example, "Why is focus so difficult?" A clear question shapes everything that follows.
Clinical history and interview
The clinician gathers background on development, school or work, health, relationships and current concerns.
Selecting appropriate measures
Standardized questionnaires and tasks are chosen to fit the question, the person and the evidence behind each tool.
Integrating results
No single score tells the story. Interview information, observations and test results are considered together.
Interpreting findings
Interpretation weighs strengths as well as difficulties and accounts for context, culture and limits of the tools.
Feedback and recommendations
Findings are shared in plain language along with practical recommendations, which may include therapy, supports or referrals.
A general educational overview, not a universal protocol. Processes vary by clinician, purpose and the person being assessed.
Discover Our La Jolla Office
A Real Practice. A Real Place. Right Here in La Jolla.
Take a look inside the space where OPAL's clinicians work with clients and support meaningful change. Our office, fondly called "The Opal Office," sits in La Jolla just steps from the beach.
We'd love for psychology students to be able to see this space someday through a future, approved professional event. Nothing has been scheduled.
7946 Ivanhoe Avenue, Suite 203
La Jolla, CA 92037Monday–Friday, 9:00 am–6:00 pm · (619) 259-0107
Learn More About Psychology at OPAL
Stay Curious. Keep Exploring.
A few good places to continue on opalpsychological.com.
The OPAL Blog
Articles from our clinicians on mental health, care and the practice.
Browse the blog → Clinician profilesMeet our providers
Backgrounds, specialties and approaches of each psychologist.
See the provider directory → Mind–body psychologyWhat Is Health Psychology? Understanding the Mind-Body Connection
Read the article → Cultural responsivenessWhy Culturally Responsive Therapy Matters: Honoring Your Identity in Healing
Read the article → Sports & performance psychologyOpal Psychological Welcomes Dr. Kai Chuang, Sports Psychologist
Read the article → Anxiety & young adultsOpal Psychological Welcomes Dr. Alina Mraz, Clinical Psychologist
Read the article → CommunityWalking Together for Mental Health: Highlights from NAMIWalks San Diego 2025
Read the article → About OPALWelcome to Opal Psychological: Holistic Mental Health Care in California
Read the article → ADHD & executive functioningADHD therapy
Learn more → TraumaTrauma therapy
Learn more → Therapy approachesIndividual therapy
Learn more → Careers at OPALJoin our team
Information for professionals. This is not a student program.
Learn more →Frequently Asked Questions
Good questions to ask.
What is OPAL Psychological?
OPAL is a boutique psychological practice at 7946 Ivanhoe Avenue in La Jolla. Its clinicians are licensed clinical psychologists, and the practice offers individual therapy and psychological evaluations, with in-person and online options.
What kinds of psychologists work at OPAL?
Currently featured on this page are Dr. Ladera Linn (health psychology and behavioral medicine), Dr. Kai Chuang (sport and performance, with experience working with athletes), and Dr. Alina Mraz (anxiety, ADHD, mood, and young adults). Each has a profile on our providers page.
Can psychology students learn about careers in private practice?
We'd welcome that conversation. A panel or small-group discussion could be a good format, but nothing has been scheduled or confirmed.
Does OPAL offer opportunities for educational guest speakers?
It's something we're open to discussing. Any speaker participation would depend on clinician availability and on what the student organization and university would approve.
Could a student organization arrange an introductory office visit?
Possibly, in the future. A visit would require advance planning, confidentiality safeguards for our clients, and space for the group. No visits are currently arranged.
How might we explore a workshop or professional-development event?
Start with a short email. We'd listen first, then shape ideas around what your organization would find valuable and what it is able to approve.
Does OPAL provide psychological services for college students?
Absolutely! OPAL Psychological offers personalized, individual therapy for college students navigating academic pressures, new relationships, and life's transitions.
Whether you're an international student adjusting to life in the U.S., moving to San Diego from another state, experiencing homesickness, or finding your path, OPAL is here to support you.
Our compassionate clinicians provide a welcoming, judgment-free space where you can feel understood, build confidence, and thrive both academically and personally.
Your college journey is unique. Your mental health care should be, too.
Explore our Insurance & Fees page or connect with our team to find the right clinician for you.
How can our student organization start a conversation with OPAL?
Email admin@opalpsychological.com, or use the interest builder below to send us a note about what sounds interesting.
We haven't established internships, shadowing, supervised clinical practice, research access, employment opportunities or student discounts through this page.
What Would You Want to Explore?
Your Ideas. Your Community. Your Future.
Choose what interests you most. Build a short list to take back to your committee or send to us. Nothing is submitted from this page — you decide what to copy or email.
Please don't include personal mental health details in anything you send. This is only for topics and event ideas.
An Invitation to Continue the Conversation
Every Meaningful Connection Starts with a Conversation.
We're excited about the possibility of getting to know more of the UC San Diego psychology community and learning what would be most valuable to your students.
Whether that means a professional discussion, an educational event, a visit to our practice, or simply an opportunity to exchange ideas, we'd welcome the conversation.
Here's to curiosity, connection, and the next generation of psychology.
