Iciar is a clinical psychologist and researcher specializing in neuropsychological assessment, treatment, and research across a range of mental health conditions. Originally from Madrid, she moved with her family to Houston, Texas, as a teenager, where she completed high school. This experience gave her insight into the challenges expats face while also sparking her interest in understanding how people from diverse cultural backgrounds make sense of the world. Motivated by this, she pursued undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of Navarra, graduating in 2019. She also holds a Master’s in Mental Health Research from University College London and Yale University (2021) and is currently completing a PhD at the University of Toronto, focusing on neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism and ADHD. At SINEWS, Iciar works with clients of all ages and backgrounds.

Returning to Spain for her undergraduate studies brought challenges, as Iciar had to re-adapt to her home country after living abroad, shaping her understanding of cultural transitions and mental well-being. At the University of Navarra, she volunteered with the Association of Navarra for People with Disabilities (ANFAS), supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and their families. She fondly recalls that some of their talents, like musical taste and rhythm, far exceeded her own, reinforcing her commitment to strengths-based, personalized care. Iciar also secured a scholarship to study in Santiago, Chile, where she completed a clinical internship at the University of the Andes, and pursued clinical training at the Clínica Universidad de Navarra’s Department of Psychiatry. These experiences provided a solid foundation for treating diverse mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, sleep, eating, and personality disorders.

After earning her degree, Iciar pursued a Master’s at University College London, focusing on how mental health symptoms develop from infancy through adulthood. She spent her first year training at the Anna Freud Centre, integrating cognitive-behavioral methods with psychoanalytic and neuroscientific perspectives. Understanding attachment styles from a psychoanalytic viewpoint helped her see how early experiences shape relationships. In her second year, she trained at Yale University’s Child Study Center, researching emotion regulation in youth with behavioral challenges. This blend of approaches enhanced her ability to create nuanced, personalized treatment plans.

Building on her experiences in Spain, the UK, and the US, Iciar wanted to merge two main interests: understanding the neurodivergent conditions she encountered at ANFAS and exploring how emotion regulation could support youth with conditions like autism, ADHD, and intellectual disabilities. To pursue this, she connected with Dr. Meng-Chuan Lai, a leading autism researcher, who agreed to supervise her PhD. Since Dr. Lai was based in Toronto, Iciar moved there to start her doctoral journey at the University of Toronto and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), supported by a competitive award from La Caixa’s Postgraduate Fellowship program. Her research focuses on how emotion regulation impacts social coping skills and quality of life in neurodiverse youth.

Although passionate about research, Iciar realized during her PhD that she also wanted to apply her knowledge directly through psychotherapy. She completed a second Master’s in Psychological Intervention and returned to Madrid to continue her clinical training at SINEWS while working on her PhD. She expanded her expertise in neuropsychological assessment and treating various mental health issues. Additionally, she worked as a school counselor at King’s College El Soto, where she observed how emotional and behavioral challenges can vary between home, school, and clinical settings, reinforcing her belief in collaborating with families and educators.

During the early stages of her PhD, Iciar also worked part-time as an academic counselor, supporting adolescents and young adults with life transitions and academic skills. Familiar with the US, UK, and European university systems, she often advises students and families navigating application processes, helping them make informed decisions about their educational paths.