Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Ellen Sawamura, PhD, LP, LCSW, LMFT (NAAPTC Intern, 1982-1983)

As part of one of the earliest cohorts of trainees at RAMS, how was your experience?

My experience as a pre-doctoral psychology intern at RAMS offered clinical, work and life experiences. The large multicultural, predominantly Asian staff and community mental health focus provided valuable knowledge and training using multiple formats: assignment to several clinical supervisors for individual supervision based on number of clinical as well as psychological testing cases, group supervision (Asian Family, Medication Clients, Children/Adolescents). Clients consisted of Asian Americans (American born, immigrant, Southeast Asian refugees) and one Caucasian male with moderate depression. Clients were served at the Balboa clinic and through home visits.

Also provided consultation (Japanese Family Program at Family Service of San Francisco) and participated in community events representing RAMS. The pre-doctoral (and post-doctoral) program was newly associated with and supported by the developing Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA); I was selected to represent the training class at RAMS Board of Directors meetings and report updates and answer Directors’ questions. I am still a member of AAPA to this very day.

How did your time at RAMS shape your career path? 

I remained in the field working for San Mateo Human Services, Mt. St. Joseph, Tenderlion Family Program (Director) and at Chinatown Child Development Center (1996-2024). My position at CCDC was a dream come true. I provided direct community mental health services to Asian and other disenfranchised children, youth and their families at the clinic, many school sites and home visits. Consultation was also provided to school and other community staff. As a senior clinician, my assignment included clinical supervision of pre-doctoral psychology interns (clinical and testing cases), master’s level licensed/unlicensed staff, and pre-master’s level trainees. As the in-service training supervisor at CCDC, I enjoyed coordinating with multiple local and international trainers to bring the latest evidence based and effective techniques to CCDC as well as Department of Public Health-Behavioral Health Services and community clinicians and providers.

Did you make any lifelong connections from your time at RAMS? How have you maintained contact with your fellow trainees?

During my training, I was assigned Dr. Reiko True as one of my individual supervisors; at the time, she was the first female director of the Mental Health Substance Abuse and Forensic Services for DPH. Her clinical knowledge and experiences with the community proved invaluable. To this day, we are close friends and colleagues.

During community assignments, I met Wei Lew, PhD, the senior psychologist at CCDC. I was fortunate to have him as my primary supervisor during my time at CCDC. Dr. Lew has been a consultant/supervisor at RAMS/Fu Yau program for many years as well. We maintain constant contact; Dr. Lew and Dr. True have been role models, colleagues and dear friends.

Through training and AAPA events, I am in contact with fellow intern Nolan Zane, PhD, who has contributed so much as a professor in Asian American Studies and Psychology and as Director of the Asian American Center on Disparities Research at the University of California Davis.

What did community building look like at RAMS during your experience?

My cousin Bruce Nakahira participated as an architect of the Balboa clinic building. Interns were assigned to one room and shared four desks. Most of the time I sat on the floor to write my progress notes and work on reports. RAMS has needed and deserved a new, larger building for some time. I am so delighted that this is finally happening and look forward to seeing the Training Program’s new home at 601 Clement Street.