Veronica B. Perez, Ph.D.
Director & Clinician, TRACE Behavioral Health
Licensed Psychologist (PSY 27421)
Dr. Veronica B. Perez is the Director and Health Service Provider at TRACE Behavioral Health. With more than 20 years of experience in clinical psychology, she has worked with hundreds of individuals and families navigating serious mental health challenges, including schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar and depressive disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) across the lifespan.
An award-winning teacher, published researcher, and clinician specializing in recovery and rehabilitation for severe mental illness (SMI), Dr. Perez has contributed to the scientific understanding of the brain-based causes of psychosis, OCD, and related conditions. She brings this science-backed expertise directly into her clinical work, with a focus on helping people move toward lasting recovery, improved functioning, and restored quality of life. She also serves on the American Psychological Association’s Division 18 Task Force for Severe Mental Illness (SMI), where she contributes to advancing best practices and advocacy for individuals with serious mental health conditions.
Dr. Perez works with individuals across the full spectrum of care—from those living with lifelong or chronic conditions, to people in the earliest stages of illness, to those at risk where early intervention can help prevent the transition from warning signs into a full diagnosis. At TRACE, she draws on evidence-based therapies—including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp), Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)—to help clients regain independence, strengthen relationships, and restore balance in their lives. Her care is rooted in both rigorous research and a deep respect for each person’s unique path.
Education
Dr. Perez earned her B.A. in Psychology from Cornell University, M.A. from San Diego State University, and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Oregon. She completed her APA-accredited clinical psychology internship at the University of California, San Diego/VA San Diego Healthcare System, followed by advanced postdoctoral fellowship training at UC San Francisco/SF Veterans Affairs and UC San Diego/VA San Diego Healthcare System on the neuroscience of psychosis, neuroplasticity-rehabilitative interventions, and clinical care. This specialized training deepened her expertise in schizophrenia spectrum, OCD, and bipolar disorders—equipping her to integrate cutting-edge science with collaborative, effective treatment.
Clinical Research
In addition to her work with individuals through TRACE, Dr. Perez is a Professor of Psychology at Alliant University, where she directs the TRACE Lab. Her lab investigates neurocognitive deficits in serious mental illness, stigma reduction, and intervention development. She served as a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego, and continues there to teach and supervise medical students, psychiatry residents, and psychology doctoral-level trainees in the assessment and evidence-supported treatment of psychosis and related disorders.
Consultation
*Please reach out to Dr. Perez if you are a provider or work in a hospital or outpatient-based setting and are interested in receiving training for yourself, provider community, or your department on the Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment for Psychosis/OCD at vbperez@alliant.edu.
When she isn’t working with clients or teaching, Dr. Perez can usually be found experimenting with recipes and gathering loved ones around the table. She rarely misses a chance to travel—especially to coastal countries where she can hop on boats and ferries of every kind. She loves meeting people from different cultures, listening to their stories, and exploring historic sites with an eye toward the lives of those who stood there centuries before.