Michele Ornelas Knight, Psy.D.
Director, CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center
Michele Ornelas Knight is not currently accepting new patients. For assistance finding a UC Davis doctor, please call 800-2-UCDAVIS (800-282-3284).
Locations and Contact
CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center
CAARE Diagnostic and Treatment Center
3671 Business Drive
Sacramento, CA 95820
Additional Numbers
Clinic Phone
Clinic Fax
Clinic Referral Phone
Physician Referrals
Philosophy of Care
My goal is to provide cultural responsive, empirically supportive treatment focused on creating a safe space for each client and family to the build trust needed to engage in therapy. Therapy can elicit many feelings and create a sense of vulnerability; making the choice to start the work takes courage. Taking the time to listen to children and families and help them prioritize their needs is an essential first step.
Clinical Interests
Dr. Ornelas Knight is a clinical child psychologist in the department of Pediatrics offering mental health services to children and adolescents with histories of trauma and abuse. She specializes in providing care to adolescents who engage high risk behaviors such as suicidal attempts, self-injurious behaviors, and eating disorders.
Research/Academic Interests
Dr. Ornelas Knight's interests include the treatment of eating disorders, and helping adolescents and family members develop more effective coping strategies to improve emotion and behavior regulation, reduce mental health symptoms and improve family interactions.
Division
General Pediatrics
Center/Program Affiliation
Undergraduate School
B.A., Psychology, UC Irvine, Irvine CA 1993
Medical School
PsyD, Clinical Psychology, University of Denver, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Denver CO 1999
Internship
Child Abuse, River Oak Center for Children, Sacramento CA 1998-1999
University of California Women's Initiative for Professional Development (UC WI), 2022, 2023
Sierra Health Foundation Health Leadership Program, 2009
Ornelas Knight M, Chew J, Gonzalez E. The Child Welfare System: A Map for the Bold Traveler. Talley PF (ed). Handbook for the Treatment of Abused and Neglected Children, Allyn and Bacon. 2005;2:25-38.
Talley PF, Ornelas Knight M. The Therapeutic Relationship in the Treatment of Abused Children and Neglected Children. Talley PF (ed). Handbook for the Treatment of Abused and Neglected Children, Allyn and Bacon. 2005.