
Kerstin Schnopp Donati, PhD
Psychological Associate
Dr. Kerstin Donati holds a Ph.D. in School Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. As a full-time school psychologist, she has supported students’ academic, emotional, and behavioral well-being through both direct services and systems-level consultation. She is proficient in a wide range of assessment tools, evaluating concerns related to learning differences, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and mood and anxiety disorders. Her work is grounded in culturally responsive, client-centered care, and she is skilled in writing comprehensive psychological reports and communicating results effectively to families and multidisciplinary teams.
In addition to assessment, Dr. Donati has provided individual therapy to children, adolescents, and families using evidence-based approaches, collaborated with school teams, and contributed to broader behavioral health initiatives- including resource mapping and mobile crisis response. She is deeply committed to accessible, integrated mental health care and is drawn to OpenMinds’ mission to expand access to high-quality care for youth and families.
Dr. Donati is particularly passionate about bridging the gap between school-based and community mental health services to promote continuity of care across systems. She values strong, collaborative partnerships with caregivers, educators, and allied mental health professionals to provide holistic support for youth and families. Her research and clinical work have focused on advancing equitable practices, promoting student connectedness, and strengthening social-emotional competencies.​
My Story
I grew up in Western Massachusetts where I completed my undergraduate, Master’s, and Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In 2024, I relocated to Santa Barbara to complete my predoctoral internship through the Santa Barbara Psychology Internship Consortium (SB-PIC). I feel incredibly fortunate to have matched here and to experience all the natural beauty Santa Barbara has to offer. In my free time, I enjoy running, spending time at the beach with my husband, family, friends, and our dog, Honey.
Education
​PhD in School Psychology-University Massachusetts Amherst
UMass Amherst- M.Ed. Master of Education
BS Psychology- University Massachusetts Amherst

Expertise
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School-Related Challenges
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Attention and Executive Functioning
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Anxiety and Worry
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Behavioral and Conduct Issues
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Coping Skills Development
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Depression​
- Emotional Dysregulation
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Family Conflict and Communication
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Mood Disorders
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Peer and Relationship Difficulties
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Self-Esteem and Identity
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Self-Harm and Risk Behaviors
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Stress Management
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Trauma and PTSD
Treatment Approaches
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Psychological Testing and Evaluation
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Cognitive Behavioral (CBT)
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Dialectical Behavior (DBT)
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Acceptance and Commitment (ACT)
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Motivational Interviewing
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Psychodynamic
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Trauma Focused
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Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
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Behavior Intervention Planning (BIP) and Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
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Collaborative Problem Solving
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Strengths-Based and Culturally Responsive
Schedule a Time
I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities to help people. Let's connect.
(805) 500-3131