Nicole Ann Cavenagh, Ph.D. obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois, Chicago with a minor in Criminal Justice. From there, she pursued a Master of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and went on to obtain her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dr. Cavenagh completed a specialization in developmental disabilities through her predoctoral internship training at the University of California, Los Angeles’ David Geffen School of Medicine as well as a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at Touro University Nevada. Her clinical and research interests lie in the area of pediatric neuropsychology, particularly the early assessment of developmental disabilities.
Dr. Cavenagh is an award-winning psychologist with an outstanding reputation in Southern Nevada and beyond. She has practiced in Southern Nevada since 2008 and has been licensed in Utah since 2020. She has well-established partnerships with pediatricians, neurologists, psychologists, public and private schools, community advocacy groups, and insurance providers. She has been honored by the Dave Rice Foundation as the recipient of the 2014 Kenny Guinn Commitment to Community Award and was the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ 2014 College of Liberal Arts Alumna of the Year. Further, Dr. Cavenagh has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at professional conferences. She has been interviewed as an expert for over 30 television, radio, and print media pieces.
She has served as an adjunct Assistance Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and as a practicum site supervisor for UNLV’s Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology.
Nicole Ann Cavenagh, Ph.D. is an active member of the Southern Nevada medical and mental health community. She has served on the Nevada State Board of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Cavenagh has served on the Board, and as Co-Training Director, of Nevada Psychological Association Training Consortium. She was a voting member of the Nevada Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders – Early Childhood Subcommittee. Since 2009, she has been an active participant in the State legislative process and has testified regarding the importance of insurance coverage for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Dr. Cavenagh’s professional memberships include the American Psychological Association (APA), APA Division 40 (Society for Clinical Neuropsychology), APA Division 33 (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities/Autism Spectrum Disorder), Nevada Psychological Association, and Utah Psychological Association.
Dr. Cavenagh looks forward to the opportunity to work with you and your child!
Deva M. Dorris, Psy.D., completed her Bachelor of Arts in psychology with an emphasis in neuroscience from Mercyhurst University. She achieved her Master of Counseling and Therapy and a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Alliant International University, California Professional School of Psychology (an APA-accredited program). Dr. Dorris’s previous pre-doctoral and training experiences provided her with the opportunity to work with both children and adolescents, providing psychological assessments and the implementation of tailored treatment plans. Dr. Dorris completed her post-doctoral fellowship under the study of Dr. Nicole Ann Cavenagh, Ph.D. Her post-doctoral fellowship allowed her the opportunity to focus on pediatric neuropsychological assessment, providing insight into areas such as intellectual functioning, academic achievement, memory, attentional control, adaptive functioning, and social emotional abilities. Her current clinical focus surrounds the diagnosis and treatment of individuals possessing developmental neuropsychological disorders.
Dr. Dorris has also completed additional training in clinical psychology including inpatient psychiatric care, brief crisis intervention, and forensic assessments. She has provided both group and individual therapy with individuals across the lifespan. Dr. Dorris previously worked as a volunteer at the Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma (IVAT) in San Diego, CA. She has conducted and published research pertaining to psychological assessment and child survivors of abuse with the data obtained from IVAT, as well as presented her research at multiple conferences. Dr. Dorris is a member of the Nevada Psychological Association and is an active member of the mental health community.
Leilani R. Puentes, Ph.D., obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nevada Reno, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Fielding Graduate University. She subsequently obtained a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with a specialization in neuropsychology from Fielding Graduate University. Dr. Puentes’ predoctoral practicum training took place at the VA Southern Nevada, and she completed her internship at the University of Arizona School of Medicine. Her first year of postdoctoral fellowship was completed at Silver State Psychology, and she is currently obtaining a second year of fellowship at the Center for Child and Family
Development to become a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist. Dr. Puentes’ clinical interests center around the early identification of neurodevelopmental disorders to provide informed recommendations for effective treatment.
Over the course of her training thus far, Dr. Puentes has published in journals and has presented research in the fields of clinical psychology and neuropsychology at numerous national and regional professional conferences. She continues to hold a strong interest in research, both through participation and the application of evidence-based approaches with her patients.
Dr. Puentes is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology, the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology, the American Psychological Association, and the Nevada Psychological Association.
Mary M. Poon, PsyD obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. She then completed her Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from The Professional School of Psychology. She then completed her Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology at The Wright Institute. Dr. Poon completed her predoctoral internship at the San Francisco General Hospital – Psychosocial Medicine Outpatient Program. She then completed her postdoc at the Hillcrest Juvenile Hall, San Mateo, California.
In addition to being a Nevada licensed psychologist, Dr. Poon is also a licensed psychologist in California. She had also worked overseas as an Assistant Professor at the University of Macau. She is a registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She currently works for Kaiser Permanente, California in the department of Autism Spectrum Disorder center as well as completing assessments at The Center for Child and Family Development in Las Vegas. She assesses children from 18 months to 18 years old. She speaks fluent Cantonese.
Dr. Poon is a member of the Nevada Psychological Association, the American
Psychology Association and The Hong Kong Psychological Association.
