Spotlight: Dr. Alissa Davis-Ku

Alissa Davis-Ku, PsyD is a member of the Navajo Nation (Diné). Her clan is Naakai Dine'é nishłi (Of The Mexican People clan). Dził t'áa'nii 'éí bá shíshchíín (Born of the Near the Mountain clan). Hooghan łaní 'éí dashicheii (Many Hogans is her maternal grandfather's clan). Táchii'nii 'éí dashinálí (Red Running into the Water is her paternal grandfather's clan). Dr. Davis-Ku is the daughter of the late Anslem K. Davis and Lynda B. Davis. She grew up on the Navajo Nation reservation with rich Diné cultural traditions, values, and teachings that continue to inform and guide her both professionally and personally. Dr. Davis-Ku completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of New Mexico and a Master of Science degree in Psychology from Palo Alto University. She gained acceptance to the Ph.D. Clinical Psychology doctoral program at Alliant International University in San Diego, CA. However, after the death of her mother, took a break from school and eventually relocated to Northern California and transferred to California Southern University. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic her father passed away, but she persisted and completed her Doctorate of Psychology degree in Clinical Psychology. Throughout her academic journey, she has experienced quality of education differences, cultural differences in language, communication and thought process, racism, stereotyping, and aggression as a Native American female. Despite these challenges, Dr. Davis-Ku drew from family and mentor support as well as her tribe’s resources inspired by the great Diné Chief Manuelito, Hastiin Ch’ilhaajiin (1818-1893) who was an advocate for Western education and sought to protect and preserve Diné (Navajo) tradition and culture.

Dr. Davis-Ku’s experience spans various clinical settings, including a rural outpatient tribal clinic, private practices, acute outpatient clinics, and both inpatient and outpatient hospital settings where she has provided psychotherapy, psychological and neuropsychological evaluations, safety and risk management, and health psychology across the lifespan. Dr. Davis-Ku’s research experience includes coordinating clinical trials related to neurodegenerative and neurological conditions such as Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, biomarkers of REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Tardive Dyskinesia, and Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension. Other research experience includes studying adolescent neurodevelopment and alcohol use, quality of education in older American Indians, and neuropsychological, familial and acculturative risks for alcohol use disorders in southwest Native American populations. She has also contributed to several published articles and conference presentations.

Dr. Davis-Ku currently serves as the Interim Behavioral Health Director and Clinician at Consolidated Tribal Health Project, Inc. (CTHP) in Redwood Valley, CA. She is a member of multiple professional organizations, including the Society of Indian Psychologists. Her current practice is working with diverse populations, community mental health, integrated health psychology, neuropsychological assessment, and trauma-informed care. Dr. Davis-Ku seeks to mentor students and trainees with interests in contributing to health sciences concerning Indigenous communities, underserved populations, and research collaborations advancing neuropsychological assessment among Native American populations.