Karen Z. Hyland, Ph.D. (Hillcrest) Clinical Director/Co-owner

(She/Her/Hers) Licensed Clinical Psychologist

***Dr. Hyland is not currently accepting new clients.***

Karen Z. Hyland is co-owner of Hillcrest Psychological Associates and a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in adolescent/adult psychological evaluation and psychotherapy, specifically in the areas of trauma, domestic violence, depression, anxiety, anger management and personal growth.

Dr. Hyland’s theoretical approach integrates contemporary psychodynamic theories with cognitive-behavioral, family systems and mindfulness. For those clients who have trauma symptoms, Dr. Hyland uses Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and exposure. She is also a certified provider of EMDR.

Since 1996, Dr. Hyland has delivered clinical services in many settings, including emergency psychiatric residential settings, psychiatric inpatient hospitals, outpatient day treatment programs, outpatient community clinics, the Family Services Center with the U.S. Navy, and in outpatient psychotherapy offices.

Dr. Hyland completed her American Psychological Association pre-doctoral internship at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital, where she did rotations on the child/adolescent and adult units.

After earning her Ph.D., she completed her post-doctoral hours at CalWorks/StepForward, working with women and their children in the Welfare-To-Work program. She began a private practice work as a psychological assistant in 2000 and became licensed as a psychologist in 2002.

She was an Approved Domestic Violence Program Supervisor and was the Domestic Violence Program Coordinator at Professional Community Services from 2000 through 2005. She also facilitated treatment groups at the Navy as part of a National Institute of Mental Health-funded study on the treatment of domestic violence.

For two years, from 2006-2008, Dr. Hyland was the clinical supervisor for pre-doctoral psychology interns at Catholic Charities, a low-fee agency that provides outpatient therapy to clients with a wide-range of concerns. Since 2016, Dr. Hyland has served as an invited member of the San Diego Psychological Association Ethics Committee.

Dr. Hyland was raised in Colorado and received her B.A. from Pitzer College in Claremont, California, in 1991. She completed her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology – San Diego in 1997 and 2000, respectively.

In her personal life, she enjoys the privilege of raising her two daughters, spending time with family, and participating in outdoor activities.

Dr. Hyland also writes for our blog, “The Therapy Journey.” Check out some of her articles here:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-therapy-journey/202204/invitation-therapists-regarding-telehealth
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-therapy-journey/202204/another-invitation-therapists-regarding-telehealth