Biography

Kim Gaines, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist with more than 40 years of experience working with people who have developmental and/or mental health disabilities. Twenty-eight of those years were spent working at the San Diego Regional Center – 20 years as a vendor and 8 years as the Coordinator of Autism Services. During that time, Dr. Gaines delivered behavior consultation services and coordinated services with a socialization program, ABA providers, and the Early Start autism program.

Prior to her work at San Diego Regional Center, Dr. Gaines worked in a variety of settings including psychiatric hospitals, residential treatment centers, non-public and public schools, community outpatient clinics, and a center for medically fragile children. She completed her postdoctoral training at Alvarado Parkway Institute in La Mesa, CA, where she worked in the Child and Adolescent, Women’s, Chemical Dependency, and Mental Health programs. She also completed internships at the Bayview Hospital Child and Adolescent Program in Chula Vista, CA, and at Springall Academy in San Diego, CA, counseling students in a special education setting.

Dr. Gaines has conducted a variety of psychological assessments, including developmental, mental health, neuropsychological, and Educationally Related Mental Health Services. She has also provided group, family, individual and child counseling with families at risk for abuse. She has collaborated with local researchers and previously worked in a neuropsychology lab at Alliant International University.

Dr. Gaines obtained her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from United States International University in San Diego, CA, and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Chapman University in San Diego, CA, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Diego State University.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.