DR. LYNETTE RAMA
Dr. Lynette Rama
Clinical & Forensic Psychologist
PhD (Clinical Psych), MS (Clinical Psych), BA (Psych)
Languages: English
Profile
Dr. Lynette M. Rama obtained a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University with a focus in forensic psychology. The specialised programme consisted of graduate coursework in the clinical practice of forensic psychology, practical training with forensic populations within the US criminal justice system, and a dissertation in cultural issues related to the feigning of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Her expertise includes inpatient and outpatient care for a culturally diverse population of adults presenting with severe mental illness, trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use, and problems with stress and adjustment related to gender identity. She is also trained in the use of psychological, psychodiagnostic, neuropsychological, and forensic assessments to evaluate academic functioning, diagnose psychopathology, determine neuropsychological deficits, and to provide expert witness testimony in court on competency to stand trial and future violence risk (general & sexual).
Specialisations
- Medico-Legal
- Psychological Assessment and Diagnostic Clarification
- Individual and Group Therapy (e.g., Psychosis, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma and Stress, Personality Disorders, and Dual Diagnosis)
Certifications and Accreditations
- Licensed Clinical Psychologist, State of Wisconsin (USA)
- Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University (USA)
- Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, Palo Alto University (USA)
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of California, Berkeley (USA)
In-depth
Dr. Lynette M. Rama is a born and bred Singaporean who first moved to the US in 2005 to pursue her undergraduate degree in Psychology at University of California, Berkeley. She returned to Singapore in 2009 and spent some time providing Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities. As her interest in psychology and law continued to grow, Lynette sought out related opportunities that included: an internship with a criminal defence lawyer; volunteer research experience in a multi inter-agency pilot study on the use of the Hayes Ability Screening Index (HASI) as a screening tool to identify individuals, with a possible intellectual disability, who would benefit from the presence of an Appropriate Adult at the time of police questioning (https://v1.lawgazette.com.sg/2013-04/727.htm); and a role as a project coordinator with the Pro Bono Services Office (PBSO) of the Law Society of Singapore.
With her varied experiences under her belt, Lynette returned to the US to begin her PhD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Forensic Psychology at Palo Alto University (California). In addition to undertaking coursework in both clinical and forensic psychology, Lynette completed practical training in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This included year-long placements at community mental health clinics, working with clients in a Parole Reentry Program, and providing therapy and evaluations for patients in psychiatric hospitals who had been determined to be Not Competent to Stand Trial or adjudicated Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect.
Lynette’s graduate training culminated in Wisconsin, where she completed her internship at Mendota Mental Health Institute (MMHI) and a split postdoctoral fellowship at Sand Ridge Secure Treatment Center (SRSTC) and MMHI. Lynette’s postdoctoral training at SRSTC focused on sexual violence risk assessment and treatment of individuals who had been committed under Wisconsin’s Sexually Violent Person Law. Her training at MMHI consisted of competency to stand trial evaluations, competency restoration, and evaluations of violence risk and substance use. She was subsequently granted a license to practice clinical psychology by the State of Wisconsin.
Lynette happily returned to Singapore in 2020 to be close to family during the trying time of COVID-19. In addition to catching up with friends and being chastised for forgetting how to play mahjong, she spends her free time delicately balancing her love of food and bubble tea with her interests in mixed marital arts and outdoor activities.