Salvatore Dinovo, Ph.D.

Dr. Dinovo earned his Ph.D. from the APA- and PCSAS-Accredited Clinical Psychology Training Program at The Ohio State University, which is consistently ranked among the top psychology doctoral training programs in the nation and worldwide. During the course of his studies at OSU, Dr. Dinovo embarked on a system of clinical training and research aimed at answering several empirical and theoretical questions, including: (a) What makes a person vulnerable to symptom dimensions found in anxiety and mood disorders?; (b) What individual differences in temperament, cognition, and self-regulatory capacity moderate risk for these symptoms?; and (c) How might differences in the capacity for self-regulation be modified by experience? In addressing these and related questions Dr. Dinovo examined variables across different levels of analysis, including basic cognitive and physiological processes. Chief among these processes are attention biases toward threat-relevant stimuli and measures of cardiac-vagal functioning (e.g., heart-rate variability) that relate to the regulation of attention, behavior, and emotion.

Upon completion of his doctoral studies, Dr. Dinovo continued his program of research and academic instruction in the realms of psychology, behavioral genetics, and public health, including completion of post-doctoral research fellowship at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. In tandem with his academic training, Dr. Dinovo completed his clinical training in assorted inpatient and outpatient settings, both during his graduate studies and, subsequently, via pre- and post-doctoral clinical work at numerous clinics and medical centers throughout San Diego. He is licensed to practice psychology in California.

Dr. Dinovo specializes in cognitive-behavioral approaches to case conceptualization and treatment, including traditional CBT and exposure response prevention (ERP), as well as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). Dr. Dinovo emphasizes empirically-supported treatments and evidenced-based interventions for a variety of interpersonal problems and psychological conditions, most notably anxiety disorders, unipolar depression, and personality disorders, as well as presenting concerns that transcend diagnostic boundaries (e.g., life transitions, stress, emotion dysregulation).

Dr. Dinovo has extensive experience in the assessment and treatment of clients with dual-diagnoses or comorbid (co-occurring and sequential) psychiatric or medical conditions. He administers a wide range of psychological tests to inform treatment and assess client progress. He assists adult clients from a wide range of cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds hailing from diverse socioeconomic statuses and presenting with varied and assorted gender identities and sexual orientations.

Dr. Dinovo is an active member of the San Diego Psychological Association, Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT), Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS), and Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA).

In his free time, Dr. Dinovo enjoys live music and stand-up comedy, film, reading, and spending time with his friends and family.

As a cognitive behaviorist and proponent of evidence-based approaches to clinical practice and intervention, Dr. Dinovo thinks it is important to recognize that all clients have unique experiences and learning histories that influence their perceptions of themselves, others, and their situations, and that these can shape the course of treatment. Thus, while believing that treatment should be informed by the relevant clinical and scientific literature, Dr. Dinovo also believes in the importance of client collaboration and accounting for an individual’s unique attitudes, beliefs, circumstances, stressors, and strengths as they work toward addressing clients’ presenting concerns.