Doreen Samelson, Ed.D., MSCP

Chief Clinical Officer

Dr. Doreen Samelson is a licensed clinical psychologist and author with over 30 years of experience in healthcare, serving as a practicing clinician, administrator and thought leader. Before Catalight, Dr. Samelson spent two decades at Kaiser Permanente, where she oversaw five behavioral health clinics and led major advances in integrated mental healthcare. Across her 30-year career, she has mentored a generation of clinicians and researchers, many of whom now lead innovative programs across the country. She is a California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) Fellow, selected for this prestigious two-year fellowship that develops leaders committed to improving California’s healthcare system — particularly in the areas of access, quality and equity.

As the Chief Clinical Officer for Catalight, Dr. Samelson provides clinical leadership for the Catalight Research Institute, developing new outcome measures, and treatment options to address the unmet needs of individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, as well as their families. She is also the parent of an adult with a developmental disability and is passionate about self-determinism, inclusion and helping people with developmental disabilities improve their wellbeing.