About

Dr. Victoria Liou-Johnson

As a multi-ethnic, cis-womxn of color, I understand how the complexities of identity in today's world can cause confusion and stress, especially if one did not grow up in their parents' home culture (aka, "Third Culture Kid"). As an Indigenous person, I also understand the aspects of feeling disconnected from culture and history due to colonization and/or oppression. As a trauma-informed, clinician rooted in cultural sensitivity and cultural respect, I try to understand all aspects of your life ( biopsychosocial aspects) that may be affecting you and causing you distress. Sometimes stressful factors may be biological or hereditary, sometimes they may be due to other people, or sometimes they may be due to things happening in your life that are out of your control. More often than not, it's a combination of all of these things. Sometimes, certain conditions or symptoms may require medical interventions and together, we will discuss when medical referral may be appropriate.

I also feel strongly that factors including upbringing and cultural beliefs shape how we see ourselves in the world and affects how we deal with challenges that come our way. After all, we are products of our life experiences and we only know the things we've seen or have been taught. I will work collaboratively with you to help you have a better understanding of yourself, how influences in your life have shaped the way you interact with the world, and to figure out ways to help you decrease the distress so that you can get back to living your life to the fullest according to your values.

My background includes human and animal medical work. My clinical psychology training includes specialization in neuropsychology (behavior affected by neurological/neurophysiological issues), traumatic brain injury, geropsychology (or specialization in working with older adults), health psychology, and extensive trauma training. I have trained and worked in large university medical centers, community medical clinics, managed health care systems, community mental health clinics, schools, and the Veterans Administration. While I only work with adults now, I have worked with a wide range of ages from the youngest elementary school children to the "oldest" older adults, dealing with a wide variety of conditions.

I often tell patients and clients that the most important aspect of seeking therapy is finding a good fit. Approximately one-third (or more) of effectiveness of therapy is due to fit with the provider! I will not be offended if you do not feel I am a good fit for you, nor should any other therapist or psychologist be offended. However, what I do hope is that you will be ready and willing to ask yourself some potentially difficult questions during your therapy, whether with me or someone else. Once the hard work begins, you will likely find yourself challenged, but I will be there to support you along the way. I sincerely hope we will be able to work together to help you reach your goals and look forward to meeting you soon.

Makapu'u Lighthouse View, Photo by VLJ

Abbreviated Curriculum Vitae

Victoria Liou-Johnson, PhD, MS

HI PSY1759 || AZ PSY5022 || WA PY61618224

Experience

2024 - Present

Adjunct Professor - Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, CA

MS & MA Clinical Psychology Programs
Courses: Lifespan Development, Cross-Cultural Issues, Neurophysiology & Psychopharmacology

2023 - present

Board President - Hawai'i Behavioral Health Connection

2022 - present

Affiliated Scholar- Clinical Excellence Research Center, Stanford Medicine, Stanford, CA

2021 - Present

Adjunct Professor - Palo Alto University, Palo Alto, CA

PhD and MS Clinical Psychology Programs
Courses: Intellectual Assessment, Affective Bases of Behavior, Biological Bases of Behavior, Evidence Based Approaches, Cross-Cultural Issues, Adult Development and Aging

2018 - Present

Licensed Clinical Psychologist - Telehealth Private Practice

Hawai'i & Arizona

2019 - 2020

Primary Care Psychologist - Waimanalo Health Center

Waimanalo, HI

2017 - 2018

Postdoctoral Resident - VA Pacific Islands

Honolulu, HI

Traumatic Stress and Recovery Program (PTSD Clinic)
Community Living Center
Neuropsychology Service

2016 - 2017

Predoctoral Intern - University of Colorado School of Medicine

Aurora & Denver, CO

Integrated Primary Care @ AF Williams Family Medicine Clinic
Neuropsychology Service
Center for Dependency, Addiction, and Rehabilitation (CeDAR)

Education

University of California, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA

BA Modern Literature

Thesis: Eleanor of Aquitane and Marie of Champagne: Patronesses of England and France

Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA

MS Clinical Psychology + Clinical Gerontology

Thesis: Attitudes Toward Geriatric Medicine from Primary Care Providers

Pacific Graduate School of Psychology

Palo Alto University

Palo Alto, CA

MS Clinical Psychology

PhD Clinical Psychology + Clinical Neuropsychology

Dissertation: The Association of Computer Usage with Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Research

2022 - 2023

Design, Innovation, and Clinical Entrepreneurship Fellow

Clinical Excellence Research Center
Stanford University School of Medicine

Stanford, CA

2021 - 2024

Advanced Fellowship

Polytrauma Department
VA Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems

VA Palo Alto Healthcare System, Palo Alto, CA

2016 - 2019

Research Associate

Center for Dependency, Addiction, and Rehabilitation (CeDAR)

Department of Family Medicine

University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO

2015 - 2016

Neuropsychology Extern - University of California, San Francisco

San Francisco, CA

Memory & Aging Center, Dept of Neurology
Epilepsy Clinic, Dept of Neurosurgery

2015 - 2016

Gero-neuropsychological Research Assistant

Memory and Aging Center (MAC)

Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC)

University of California, San Francisco, CA

2014 - 2015

2014 - 2017

Neuropsychology Extern - Kaiser Permanente

Redwood City, CA

Neuropsychology Service
Adult ADHD Clinic
Group and Individual Psychotherapy

Geropsychology Research Assistant

Sierra Pacific Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC)

VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA

2014 - 2015

Conversation Partner

VA Palo Alto Health Care System, Palo Alto, CA

Research Project: Treatment for Social Competence in Veterans and Civilians with TBI

Certifications

EAGALA Certified Therapist
EMDR Basic Training
National Register of Health Service Psychologists Credential
Tobacco Treatment Specialist Certification (University of Massachusetts)
Baby & Me Tobacco Free Facilitator Certification
National training and Veterans Affairs Provider status in Cognitive Processing Therapy
National training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
Collaborative Assessment and Management of Suicidality (CAMS) trained

Awards

2022 – 2023 Palo Alto University Outstanding Contingent Faculty Award
2022 APA/National Register Early Career Award
2017 National Register Early Career Scholarship
2015 PsiChi Lifetime Membership Award
2014 PAU APASA Travel Award

Select Publications

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

Diaz-Nelson, M., Liou-Johnson, V., Platchek, T., Shah, N.R., & Peters, S. (2025). Three Strategies for Healthcare Systems to Address Barriers to Care and Reduce Avoidable Spending for Children with Complex Medical Conditions. Journal of Ambulatory Care Management, 48(4), 228-239. doi: 10.1097/JAC.0000000000000537

Coetzee, J.P., Kang, X., Liou-Johnson, V., Luttenbacher, I., Seenivasan, S., Eshghi, E., Grewal, D., Shah, S., Hillary, F., Dennis, E.L., & Adamson, M.M. (2025). Predicting Brain Age for Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injuries and Healthy Controls. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2025.1472207

Dini, M.E., Wallace, R.E., Klyce, D.W., Tyler, C.M.., Vriesman, M., Juengst, S.B., Liou-Johnson, V., Gary, K. W., Dams-O’Connor, K., Kumar, R.G.,… Perrin, P.B. (2025). Functional Independence Trajectories over 5 Years in Older Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury: A Model Systems Study. PM&R: the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation.. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.13312

Grewal, D.*, Patapoff, M.A., Liou-Johnson, V., Adamson, M.M., Jester, D.J. (2024). The Absence of Formal Work Experience May Affect the Rate of Cognitive Decline in Older Adult Women: Findings from the Health and Retirement Study. Frontiers in Global Women’s Health, 5, 1458553. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgwh.2024.1458553
*mentored student

Kennedy, E., Liebel, S.W., Lindsey, H.M., Vadlamani, S., Lei, P., Adamson, M.M.,…Liou-Johnson, V.,… Dennis, E.L. (2024) Verbal Learning and Memory Deficits Across Neurological and Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Insights from an ENIGMA Mega Analysis. Brain Sciences, 14(7),669. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci14070669

Vasic, S., Xia, B., Dini, M. E., Klyce, D. W., Tyler, C. M., Juengst, S. B., Liou-Johnson, V.... & Perrin, P. B. (2024). Community Participation Trajectories over the 5 Years after Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Veterans: A US Veterans Affairs Model Systems Study. Trauma Care, 4(2), 174-188. doi: 10.3390/traumacare4020014

Liou-Johnson, V., Narayan, A., Odama, U., & Shah, N.R. (2024). A Person-Centered Approach to Kidney Care, NEJM Catalyst, 5(1), CAT.23.0376. https://doi.org/10.1056/CAT.23.0376

Sultana, T., Hasan, M.A., Kang, X., Liou-Johnson, V., Adamson, M.M., & Razi, A. (2023). Neural mechanisms of emotional health in traumatic brain injury patients undergoing rTMS treatment. Molecular Psychiatry, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-023-02159-z

Liou-Johnson, V., Merced, K., Klyce, D. W., Agtarap, S., Finn, J. A., Chung, J. S., Campbell, T., Harris, O. A., & Perrin, P. B. (2023). Exploring racial/ethnic disparities in rehabilitation outcomes after TBI: A veterans affairs model systems study. NeuroRehabilitation,1-12. https://doi.org/10.3233/NRE-220225

Silva M.A., Gonzalez A.V., Tang X., Carnahan N.D., Klyce D.W., Liou-Johnson V., Martin, A., Moberg, J., Dreer, L.E. (2023). Examining the relationship between sleep apnea diagnosis and suicide risk in Veterans with traumatic brain injury: A VA TBI Model Systems study. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 10-1097. doi: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000856

Beaudreau, S. A., Van Moorleghem, K., Dodd, S. M., Liou-Johnson, V., Suresh, M., & Gould, C. E. (2020). Satisfaction with a Vacuum Constriction Device for Erectile Dysfunction among Middle-Aged and Older Veterans. Clinical Gerontologist, 1-9.

Gould, C. E., Spira, A. P., Liou-Johnson, V., Cassidy-Eagle, E., Kawai, M., Mashal, N., O’Hara, R.,* & Beaudreau, S. A.* (2017, April). Association of anxiety symptom clusters with sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. The Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences.

BOOK CHAPTERS

Liou-Johnson, V. & Johnson, B. (2020). Paroxetine Use with Older Adults. In C. Lepkowsky (Ed.), The Pharmacological Guide to Paroxetine. New York, Nova Science Publishers.

Liou-Johnson, V., Mills, B., Van Moorleghem, K., & O’Hara, R. (2016). Ageing, Inequalities, and Health. In N. A. Pachana (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Geropsychology. Heidelberg: Springer.

Borish, S., Holt, H., Liou-Johnson, V., & Kramer, J. H. (2016). Encephalopathy. In N. A. Pachana (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Geropsychology. Heidelberg: Springer. Liou-Johnson, Victoria 7

La, D., Van Moorleghem, K., & Liou-Johnson, V. (2016). Psychological and Personality Testing. In N. A. Pachana (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Geropsychology. Heidelberg: Springer.