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KRISTEN LAMARCA PHD

Clinical Psychologist

Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine.

Kristen LaMarca, Ph.D is a licensed clinical psychologist who is board-certified in behavioral sleep medicine. She has expertise in applied psychophysiology, is a published author, and is a regular reviewer for several scientific publications.

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Dr. LaMarca completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI with a minor in biological science.  She received her master’s and doctoral degrees from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) in San Diego, CA where she specialized in behavioral medicine and applied psychophysiology. She has trained in a host of local settings, including Community Research Foundation and Aurora Behavioral Healthcare, and has conducted conjoint research between the Center for Autism Research and Evaluation Services (CARES) and the University of California San Diego (UCSD) Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory.

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Her experience spans a broad range of psychiatric and addictive disorders, medical populations, age groups, and cultural backgrounds delivering evidence-based treatments, particularly cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based psychotherapies (e.g. DBT, ACT, MBSR).   She is known for her creativity as an interventionist, sincere empathy, and ability to work with complex or challenging diagnoses and problems.   In working with Dr. LaMarca, her warm and calming demeanor, depth of clinical knowledge, and ability to build trust set her apart in helping clients feel hopeful, understood, and supported.  California license #PSY26819

Kristen LaMarca PhD: Team

RESEARCH AREAS

Dr. LaMarca contributes to research in the areas of biofeedback, brain-computer interfaces (BCI), and lucid dreaming.

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Her dissertation focused on how to behaviorally and psychologically prepare lower functioning children with autism to perform the complex neuroimaging and treatment tasks of a neurofeedback study.  

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Her research collaborations with Lucidity Institute have focused on the differences between lucid and nonlucid dreams, induction methods, and the creative and therapeutic applications of lucid dreaming.

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She is a peer reviewer for several journals, such as Sleep Medicine, Psychiatry Research, Journal for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, and more.

Kristen LaMarca PhD: Text

PUBLICATIONS

Peer-Reviewed

Kristen LaMarca PhD: List

LaMarca, K., Gevirtz, R., Lincoln, A.J., & Pineda, J.A. (2023). Brain-computer interface training of mu EEG rhythms in intellectually impaired children with autism: A feasibility case series. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-022-09576-w

LaBerge, S., LaMarca, K., & Baird, B.J. (2018).  Pre-sleep treatment with galantamine stimulates lucid dreaming: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study.  PLOS ONE, 13(8). doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201246

LaMarca, K., Gevirtz, R., Lincoln, A., & Pineda, J.A. (2018).  Facilitating neurofeedback in children with autism and intellectual impairments using TAGteach.  Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(6), 2090-2100.

Pineda, J., Friedrich, E., & LaMarca, K. (2014). Neurorehabilitation of Social Dysfunctions:  A Model-based Neurofeedback Approach for Low and High-Functioning Autism. Frontiers in Human Neuroengineering, 7:29.

Vuckovic, A., Pineda, J.A., Guger, C., Gupta, D., & LaMarca, K. (2014).  Interaction of BCI with the Underlying Neurological Conditions in Patients: Pros and Cons.  Frontiers in Human Neuroengineering, 7:42.

SELECT PRESENTATIONS

LaMarca, K. (2022, July 19). Lucid Dreaming Therapy: Case conceptualization, treatment planning, and intervention. 2 hour workshop presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, Tucson, AZ.

LaMarca, K. (2018, June 18). Lucid dreaming therapy: Skills development Workshop for Mental Health Professionals.  2 hour workshop presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, Scottsdale, AZ.
 
LaMarca, K. (2016, November 2).  Lucid dreaming: An introduction to the state of the art.  Guest lecture at University of California San Diego’s sleep research laboratory.
 
LaMarca, K. (2015, June 24).  Lucid Dreaming in Psychotherapy: An introduction.  Guest lecture at National University in the performance psychology graduate course, Systems of Psychotherapy.
 
LaBerge, S., & LaMarca, K. (2014). Pre-Sleep Treatment with Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors Enhances Memory, Cognition, and Metaconsciousness (Lucidity) in Dreaming.  Concurrent session at the annual Consciousness Conference, Tuscon, AZ.
 
LaMarca, K. (2013, April 23).  Bio- and Neuro- Feedback: A Mind-Body Approach to Enhance Self-Regulation.  Guest lecture at the University of California San Diego in the cognitive science undergraduate course,  Alternate States of Consciousness.
 
LaMarca, K., & LaBerge, S. (2012). Pre-Sleep Treatment with Galantamine Increases the Likelihood of Lucid Dreaming. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the International Association for the Study of Dreams, Berkeley, CA.
 
Rider, R., LaMarca, K., Pallais, W., & LaBerge, S. (2012). Differences in the Cognitive and Psychological Content of Lucid and Non-lucid Dreams. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies, LLC, Boston, MA.
 
Cruz, F., Pulido, A., Ampolos, L.,LaMarca, K., McNally Keehn, R., & Lincoln, A. (2010). Characteristics of Anxiety in Children with Co-Occurring Anxiety and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Poster session presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research, Philidelphia, PA.

Kristen LaMarca PhD: List
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