About Betsy

1532 State Street, Second Floor Santa Barbara, California 93101

(805) 979-3440 (Office)

(877) 935-8686 (Fax)

(805) 259-5247 (Cell/Text)

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E mail: betsy@drbatesfreed.com
Web: https://www.drbetsybatesfreed.com

State of California Board of Psychology

License number: CA PSY25652

Next renewal date: 2/28/2026

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Santa Barbara County Psychological Association 

COVID-19 Task Force, 2020-21

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Racial Injustice Subcommittee

2020 Past President, 2019 President, 2018 President-elect, 2017

Media chair, 2013-2017 Secretary, 2012

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Antioch University Santa Barbara 

Senior lecturer/Adjunct faculty member Graduate programs in psychology

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Fall 2011 to present

Courses: Clinical skills, Academic Writing, Academic Writing Workshop, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Advanced Family Systems, Practicum (Clinical supervision; Case Conferences, Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning, The Therapeutic relationship), Grief and Bereavement

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Dissertation chair and committee member

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HMI College of Hypnotherapy

American Hypnosis Association Lecturer

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Fall 2021 to present

Lectures: Cognitive behavioral therapy, existential psychology, positive psychology, mind-body Psychology, bipolar disorder, clinical documentation, working with older patients

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Colorado School of Public Health

Instructor Fall 2015

Course: Public Health Writing Workshop (PBHC 6920/PBHL 692)

Colorado State University Department of Psychology

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Instructor Fall 2014

Course: Abnormal Psychology (PSY 320)

Limited part-time private practice in clinical psychology (specializing in health psychology, trauma, grief, and caregiving ); also group therapy for patients with advanced breast cancer. Currently providing in-person psychotherapy or teletherapy via Thera-Link, Doxy.me, Zoom.

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Author

“Vitality Signs,” a blog for oncologists and cancer health professionals on psychosocial issues,

The Oncology Report, http://www.oncologyreport.com/index.php?id=8459 Fall 2011 to May 2013

Psy.D. Clinical Psychology

June 2011
Antioch University Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California

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MA, Clinical Psychology

January 2008
Antioch University Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California

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BA, English (Writing: poetry emphasis)

with high honors, May 1979
Secondary teaching certification
Denison University
Granville, Ohio

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Graduate coursework

• Native American literature (San Diego State University) 1984-1985

• Journalism (University of Southern California, Los Angeles) 1992

• Developmental psychology (Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D.) 2009

• Bates Freed, B. (March 7, 2024) Silent suffering: The unequal, unexplored, and unmet psychological needs of prostate cancer patients. American Psychosocial Oncology Society annual meeting.

• Bates Freed, E. (2023) Long and lonely journey: Individual therapy with families of patients with dementia. American Psychological Association annual meeting poster #1019. https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:ee74d109-17e6-4480-9f28-5fe508c6586a

• Bates Freed, B. (2023) Comparison of support resources, prostate cancer versus breast cancer. (2023) Cottage Health Psychiatry Grand Rounds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg5PeZsACwg

• Bates Freed, B. (2019) Psychotherapy in Persons with Parkinson’s Disease, Journal of Health Service Psychology (3(45): 91-95.

• Bates Freed, B. (2018, Feb) And now, cancer: Understanding how cancer adjustment is impacted by and impacts other major life events. Poster presentation at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society annual meeting, Tucson, AZ

• Bates Freed, B. (2013, Feb). Using social media to bridge disciplines: Introducing psychosocial issues to oncologists through a blog. Poster presentation at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society annual meeting, Huntington Beach, CA

• Bates Freed, B, Solis, M., Lehman, K., & Jacobs, H. (2013, Feb). Evolution of a support group for teens whose parents have cancer: Third time’s a charm! Poster and oral presentation at the American Psychosocial Oncology Society Annual Meeting, Huntington Beach, CA.

• Bates Freed, B. A. (2012, April) Integrated from the Start: Collaborative Training Programs for Primary Care Residents and Psychology Graduate Students, poster presentation, California Psychological Association​

• Bates Freed, B. A. (2012, Feb). Work Interrupted: Assessing the Impact of Work- Related Distress on Psychological Adjustment to Cancer, poster presentation, annual meeting of the American Psychosocial Oncology Society, Miami, FLA.

• Bates Freed, B. A. (2011, August). Male Norms and Prostate Cancer – Implications for Men and Partners, oral presentation, American Psychological Association annual meeting, Washington D.C.

• Bates Freed, B. A. (2009, Dec). Food for Thought: Psychologists as Medical Providers. Lessons from Bucy v. Bucy, 1990. Poster presentation, Antioch Uniersity Scholars Day, Loewy, M. I., Bates Freed, B.A., Fortman, J. A., Gertwagen, J. A., Goforth, J.P., Ingram, A.S., & Jaimes, D.R. (2007). Applying Multicultural Training to Practice: Clinical Psychologists’ Perceptions and Experiences. Presented in poster form, APA annual meeting, San Francisco.

Cottage Health Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds, Santa Barbara, CA (June 2023) “Prostate Cancer Support: Unmet needs, unclear solutions” https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:ee74d109-17e6-4480-9f28-5fe508c6586a

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HMI College of Hypnotherapy/American Hypnosis Association (Tarzana, CA) (Sept. 1, 2021) “A Fitting Denouement: Understanding and Working With Older Patients” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOfWKhAjdKM

Cottage Health Department of Psychiatry Grand Rounds, Santa Barbara, CA (Nov. 2020) “A Fitting Dènouement: Geropsychology’s Urgent Relevance in the Time of COVID-19” https://vimeo.com/483869999/785725fda9

The Greenberg Center for Learning and Tolerance (Colorado Springs, Colorado) (March 29, 2021) “Grief, Grace, and Resiliency: Meeting the Needs of Older Adults in a Time of COVID-19” (Program coordinator and panelist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmEn7tB7dek

Santa Barbara County Psychological Association Salon CE Presentation (June 2019) “A Fitting Denouement: Understanding and Meeting the Psychological Needs of Older Adults.

Cottage Health Psychiatry Grand Rounds (June 2018) “Seeds of Change: Fostering Post-Traumatic Growth by Drawing on Hidden Strengths” https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:2acf8439-6572-45cf-94fd-d8eb2c8b1d23

Santa Barbara County Psychological Association Salon CE Presentation (February 2015) “In Sickness as in Health: Psychology’s Role in Medical Illness”

Santa Barbara County Psychological Association, UCSB Counseling Center staff, UCSB Graduate Program in Psychology (Sept. 2013, Jan. 2014) “The DSM-5: A Clinician’s Guide to its Organization, Content, and Application.” (Co-presenter with John Lewis, Ph.D)

Santa Barbara County Pediatric Society, Public Health Clinics, First Five California, School District Administration Meetings (2012) “The Children’s System of Care,” an outreach program to educate physicians, educators, and public health officials about signs of mental illness in children

Antioch University Santa Barbara: “Work Interrupted: A Questionnaire Assessing the Relationship Between Work-related Distress and Psychological Adjustment to Cancer.” (Dissertation defense, June 2011)

Antioch University Santa Barbara: “Challenges Inherent in Leading an Open- ended, Open-membership Community Support Group for Patients with Cancer, 2009.

Antioch University Santa Barbara: “The Circle of Courage: A

Strength-Based Approach to Assessment of Adolescents based on Lakota Sioux Principles.” (August 2009)

Cleveland Elementary School, “Stress Management for Teachers.” (August 2009)

University of Southern California seminar: “Cancer, physicians and journalism” (1994)

American Medical Association National Leadership Conference: “Media and Medicine” (1992)

• American Psychological Association

• APA Division 38, Health Psychology

• APA Division 51, Society for the Psychological Study of Men & Masculinity

• California Psychological Association

• Santa Barbara County Psychological Association (Board member, president)

• American Psychosocial Oncology Society

Sept. 2013 – present

Psychologist in private practice/Mentor/Advisor

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Working alongside two internal medicine physicians, I provide comprehensive psychotherapy to patients who range in age from 10 to 99. The focus of my practice is health/medical psychology, providing assistance to medical patients and their family members as they cope and adjust to cancer, heart disease, eating disorders, serious injury, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and major life events. Monthly, I conduct group therapy for advanced cancer patients. I serve as an adjunct professor of psychology at Antioch University Santa Barbara and regularly supervise graduate students in psychology on their dissertation committees and/or during their clinical training.

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Sept. 2012 – Sept. 2013

Support Services Coordinator

Cancer Center of Santa Barbara at Sansum Clinic

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Supervisor: Mary Solis, L.C.S.W. (805) 569-2412
Provided psychosocial support services to cancer patients and their families; assisted in the development of screening tools; coordinated interdisciplinary care, directed support groups for patients with head and neck cancer, parents, and children/teens of cancer patients.

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Oct. 2011 – Feb. 2012

Psychological assistant to Karen Lehman, Ph.D.

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Provided psychotherapy for private patients, including children, adolescents, and adults.

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Oct. 2011 – Aug. 2011

Postdoctoral psychology intern – Santa Barbara County Children’s Mental Health

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Registered psychologist within wrap-around multidisciplinary treatment team for high-risk children.

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Sept. 2010 – Jan. 2012

Psychology Intern/Postdoctoral intern – Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Family Practice Residency Program

Glendale, California

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Coordinated care with primary care physicians. Completed Alcohol & Drug Services rotation, Provided psychological testing and training for medical residents. Conducted neuropsychological evaluations.

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March 2007- July 2010

Practicum student

Cancer Center of Santa Barbara

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Provided therapy for cancer patients and their family members. Co-facilitated community support group. Facilitated melanoma support group, teen group, children’s group. Participated in interdisciplinary case conferences; assisted in developing palliative care initiative.

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October 2008- May 2009

Practicum student

California State University, Channel Islands, Camarillo, CA

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Assessed and counseled members of a diverse student population; performed learning disability diagnostic assessment. Supervised alcohol awareness program co-sponsored by Ventura County, Calif., and created program manual.

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July 2009 – June 2010

Practicum student

Cleveland Elementary School

Santa Barbara, California

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Conducted observations, assessments, and individual counseling for children ages 6-12.

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September 2009 – June 2010

Practicum student

Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation

Santa Barbara & Ventura, Calif.

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Directed monthly parent/sibling/patient support groups for non-profit foundation dedicated to assisting children with cancer and their families. Childrens’ group includes children with neurologic deficits, deafness, limited mobility.

• Antioch University Adjunct Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching, 2017

• Featured psychologist, American Psychological Association Div. 51, May 2013

• Antioch University Santa Barbara travel scholarship, APA, Toronto, 2009

• American Academy of Dermatology Gold Triangle Award (2001, 2002, 2004)

• American Diabetes Association Southern California media award

• American Association of Critical Care Nurses writing award (honorable mention)

• California Newspaper Publisher’s Association investigative reporting award

• Sigma Delta Chi award for investigative/enterprise reporting

• San Diego Press Club awards for investigative reporting, consumer writing

• San Diego Medical Society reporting award

• California legislature proclamation of merit (for investigative reporting)

Pacific Standard magazine: “Why Won’t Men Get Help?” co-author with David Freed; and “Did You Hear the One About the Guy with Prostate Cancer?” July/August 2012

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International Medical News Group/Elsevier (Family Practice News, Internal Medicine New, Clinical Rheumatology News) “Physician: Starve Thyself – Are Eating Disorders the Last Taboo in the Medical World?” Nov. 1, 2012

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“Vitality Signs,” weekly blog, The Oncology Report (Elsevier), ongoing online column addresses implications of current psychosocial research and events for a professional audience

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Science/medical journalist, 1983-2008
Medical correspondent: San Diego Tribune, Los Angeles Herald Examiner, Los Angeles Daily News, University of Southern California.

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Los Angeles Bureau Chief, International Medical News Group/Elsevier (Over 15 years, researched and reported on scientific meetings internationally for ACS Surgery News, Caring for the Ages, Clinical Endocrinology News, Clinical Neurology News, Clinical Psychiatry News, Family Practice News, Internal Medicine News, Pediatric News, Ob.Gyn. News, Skin and Allergy News, Thoracic Surgery News, The Oncology Report)

• “Practical Psychopharmacology” Clinical Psychiatry News

• “Polypharmacy for Bipolar Disorder” (May 2009)

• “Consider Medication Costs in Treatment Planning (June 2009)

• “Treating ADHD When Stimulants Don’t Work” (July 2009)

• “Atypical Antipsychotics and Metabolic Testing (August 2009)

• “Medication Choices in Patients with Chronic Pain” (Sept. 2009)

• “Borderline Personality Disorder and SSRIs” (Oct. 2009)

• “Balancing Medication and CBT/Exposure Therapy for Anxiety”) (Nov. 2009)

• “Treating PTSD/Substance Abuse Simultaneously” (Dec. 2009)

• “Bipolar Disorder in Children and Adolescents” (Jan. 2010)

• “Doing the Meds: Collaborative Practice” (Feb. 2010)

“Behavioral Consult” Pediatric News: 2000-2009

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Monthly column featuring difficult issues in developmental/behavioral pediatrics, written in conjunction with Michael Jellinek, M.D., chair of pediatric psychiatry at Harvard University, and Barbara Howard, M.D., assistant professor of pediatrics at The Johns Hopkins University.

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Rodale Press - Contributing author, 1995-2002

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Food and You (1996); Women Doctors Book of Home Remedies (1997); Busy Woman’s Cookbook (2000); Doctors Book of Home Remedies for Stronger Bones (2000); The Hormone Connection (2001); La Medicina de Mamá (2001); Ultimate Women’s Guide to Health and Fitness (2002).

“Epigenetics and gender: How your behaviors and environment affect the way your genes work.” Interview with Dr. Karissa Sanbonmatsu of Los Alamos National Laboratory, October 2023. https://www.shforum.org/attend-virtual-forum

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“Addiction.” Interview with Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, St. Helena Forum, July 2023. https://www.shforum.org/attend-virtual-forum?wix- vod-video-id=23ec4fadef1f46aeb54286507a98b412&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-kksp0w7l

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“How to Find Help and Support When Faced with a Serious Mental Illness.” Dr. Kim Taylor Show, KZSB 1290 AM, February 2015

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“Why Men Don’t Seek Psychotherapy.” Dr. Kim Taylor Show, KZSB 1290 AM, February 2014

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MSNBC “The Cycle” network appearance, June 25, 2012, interview in conjunction with release of story on men and psychotherapy in Pacific Standard magazine.

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“Teens in Cyberspace,” highlighting research from the Society of Adolescent Medicine, You Tube, April 2009 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xa8bTuMz-Og

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“Circle of Courage,” featuring interviews from experts about a strength-based approach to assessment of children and adolescents based on Lakota Sioux teachings. You Tube, September 2009 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CzNN7Al_90

Supervisor to predoctoral practicum students Nivek Dunne, Cancer Center of Santa Barbara, 2013-2014; Gerald Duncan, Alzheimer’s Association of Santa Barbara County, 2019-2020

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Supervisor to postdoctoral registered psychologist Christina Donaldson, PhD., 2014 to 2016

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Dissertation chair/committee (2015-present): Serena Cyr, Melissa Reilly, Betty Purify, Sade Carswell, Alexis Forgnone, Jenna Gunels, Stacey Bolton, Chris Beckley, Ron Nielson, Maruska Bisetty, Reid Vierra, Brian Beasley, Kate Weibe, Scott Young.

• “The Final Goodbye” (End of life care), APOS annual meeting (2024)

• APOS Psychosocial Oncology Cancer Basics Course (2023)

• Cultural humility, avoidance (2023)

• APA Guidelines for working with men and boys (2022)

• New paths for people with Prolonged Grief Disorder (2022)

• Risk Management of the Suicidal Patient (2021)

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Clinical Practice (2021)

• Ethics issues in Teletherapy (2021, 2022, 2023)

• Becoming an Adult in the Face of Racism (APA) (2020)

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Coronavirus Anxiety (2020)

• Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) (2020)

• Psychosocial Issues in Palliative and End of Life Care: Considerations for Psychologists (2019)

• Ethical Conflicts in Psychology (2019)

• Digital Ethics symposium (2018)

• Clinical Supervision Training (2013, 2015, 2019)

• Psychological First Aid (National Child Traumatic Stress Network) (2018, 2021)

• “When Professionals Weep” (Self-care for professionals specializing in trauma)(2014)

• Recent Advances in Psychological Trauma (2013)

• Developing Effective Treatment Plans for the Eating Disorder Patient (Summit, 2012)

• Law and Ethics in Government Service (2012)

• Consumer & Family Culture in Mental Health (2012)

• Treatment of individuals with PTSD, Complex PTSD, and Co-Morbid Disorders (Glendon Association webinar, 12/2011)

• Motivational Interviewing (2011)

• Infant/child and adult CPR Training (2009)

• Reclaiming Youth International Developmental Audit Training (June 2009)

• End of Life Issues (APA Workshop, 2007)

• Child Abuse (2007)

• Human Sexuality (2006)

• American Psychosocial Oncology Society (March 2024)

• American Psychological Association annual conference (August 2023)

• American Psychosocial Oncology Society (March 2022)

• Santa Barbara Co. Psychological Association suicide prevention training (2019)

• California Psychological Association Leadership Conference (2018)

• American Psychosocial Oncology Society annual meeting (2018) American Psychological Association annual meeting (2016)

• American Psychosocial Oncology Society (February 2013)

• California Psychological Association (April 2012)

• American Psychosocial Oncology Society (February 2012)

• American Neurological Association (September 2011)

• International Society of Behavioral Medicine (August 2010)

• San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (Dec. 2009)

• American Academy of Addiction Psychiatrists (Dec. 2009)

• American Academy of Pediatrics “Practical Pediatrics” (Sept. 2009) World Congress on Lung Cancer (August 2009)

• Society of Adolescent Medicine (March 2009)

• Pediatric Academic Societies (2008)

• Society of Hospital Medicine (2008)

• American College of Cardiology (2007)

• Stanford Pediatric Clinical Update (2007)

• American Psychological Association (2007, 2009)

• American Headache Society (2006)