Dr. Shannon McHugh, PsyD.

About the author: This page contains Dr. McHugh's full professional biography, credentials, and clinical background. All articles written or reviewed by Dr. McHugh reflect her active clinical and forensic practice working with children, adolescents, and families. Shannon McHugh, PsyD. Licensed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist | Child and Family Specialist | Los Angeles, CA Dr. Shannon V. McHugh is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist based in Los Angeles, California. She earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Social Work from the University of Southern California, and her M.A. and Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University, Los Angeles. Dr. McHugh currently serves as the Director of Professional Clinical and Forensic Services at the Los Angeles Branch of the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT), where she leads clinical and forensic service delivery, supervises doctoral-level trainees, and conducts psychological evaluations and expert witness testimony in criminal, civil, and family law cases. She also maintains a private practice supporting families of children struggling with disruptive behavior, anxiety, trauma, and emotional dysregulation. She is a certified Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) therapist and Level 1 Trainer — an evidence-based treatment for children ages 0–10 managing aggression, disruptive behavior, anxiety, and trauma. She is also an independent psychological consultant providing evaluations for schools, Social Security disability determinations, autism assessments, and forensic evaluations involving child custody, family violence, and sexual abuse allegations. Dr. McHugh is licensed in California (PSY29576), New Jersey (35SI00754300), and holds a telehealth registration in Florida (TPPY648). She contributes to Parenting Pod writing about child behavior, social skills, trauma, and family dynamics, drawing on her direct clinical and forensic experience with children and families. Credentials PsyD., Clinical Psychology — California School of Professional Psychology, Alliant International University M.A., Clinical Psychology — Alliant International University B.A., Psychology (minor in Social Work) — University of Southern California Licensed Psychologist — California (PSY29576) Licensed Psychologist — New Jersey (35SI00754300) Telehealth Registration — Florida (TPPY648) Certified Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Therapist and Level 1 Trainer Areas of clinical expertise Child and adolescent behavioral issues Trauma, abuse, and family violence Forensic psychology — child custody, family law, expert witness testimony Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) Anxiety and emotional dysregulation in children Social skills and developmental delays High-conflict family dynamics Professional affiliations and contributions Director of Professional Clinical and Forensic Services — Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT), Los Angeles Assistant Editor — Family Violence and Sexual Assault Institute (FVSAI) Research Journal Co-creator — The Learn & Burn Explorers Program (gamified mental health education for children) Medical Contributor — Parenting Pod Contributor — E-Counseling.com Editorial policy: All content written or reviewed by Dr. McHugh reflects current clinical guidelines and her active practice working with children and families in both clinical and forensic settings. Articles are reviewed on an 18-month cycle to ensure accuracy. Parenting Pod | parentingpod.com | Author profile last updated April 2026