Makenna Paule, MA, PsyD Candidate

Makenna Paule is a third-year doctoral candidate at Pepperdine University's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. She provides clinical support for people impacted by cancer diagnoses and their loved ones via individual and group therapy. Makenna co-leads the Simms/Mann Center's Living Beyond Limits group via Zoom and is passionate about connecting patients with helpful resources at Simms/Mann and in the community.

 

At the Simms Mann Center, Makenna co-leads the support group Living Beyond Limits to address the unique needs of patients navigating a stage IV cancer diagnosis. She is committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for group members, fostering open discussions and shared experiences to enhance their overall well-being.

 

Makenna previously worked as a clinician at Cedars-Sinai's Reproductive Psychology Program, where she supported women experiencing perinatal mental health conditions, concerns related to fertility, and grief related to child loss.  Additionally, she provided psychotherapy to unhoused individuals at the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles, addressing severe mental illness, substance use disorders, and comorbid conditions. Makenna was trained in psychodiagnostic and neuropsychological assessment at ERA Psychological Services, where she administered assessments to children, adolescents, and adults. Before returning to school for her doctorate, she served as the Manager of Patient Advocacy at BridgeBio Pharma, collaborating with patient advocacy organizations to research the experiences of rare disease patients and develop patient-centered initiatives.

 

Outside of her research and clinical work, Makenna is a certified yoga and meditation instructor, having taught for five years at various studios in San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles for her studies. Although she no longer teaches, she remains a dedicated student of yoga. In her free time, Makenna enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, being with loved ones, painting, and sewing.