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Karen Sanchez Staedler
PsyD, MBA, MT-BC
Licensed Psychologist PSY 31753Music Therapist- Board Certified #06241
President and Founder
Dr. Staedler is the President of The Pacific Resiliency Center for Psychology, Wellness, and the Arts (PRC). She was the Director of Clinical Services & Program Development for In Harmony Music Therapy Services (IHMTS), a private music therapy services agency she founded in 2002.
Dr. Staedler has a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Capella University and is a licensed psychologist in California, as well as a board-certified music therapist. She earned a double MBA in Entrepreneurship and Health Care Management from Jones International University. She also received a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy with a Minor in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Pacific. Her primary instrument is the flute, though she also loves to sing.
In 2020, Dr. Staedler formed PRC as a new professional corporation to incorporate psychology and other wellness programs along with creative arts therapies, including music therapy, in treatment of the whole self, for all ages from birth to end of life. (PRC previously operated as In Harmony Music Therapy Services from 2002-2020)
Currently, Dr. Staedler performs medicolegal/forensic psychological and neuropsychological evaluations and immigration evaluations. She performs Social Security Disability Evaluations as a contractor with Megalithic Psychology, Inc. She is a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) in psychology through the CA Division of Workers Compensation, contracted through Expedient Medicolegal Services, Inc. She performs Fitness For Duty and Long-Term Disability Independent Medical Evaluations (IME) and is contracted with various agencies. She is an external provider in psychology and neuropsychology with Welbe Health. She also works part-time for Valley Neuropsychological Services (VNS) in Sacramento, providing individual psychotherapy and neuropsychological counseling, as well as neuropsychological evaluations, primarily for Spanish-speaking populations.
Dr. Staedler completed most of her post-doctoral Psychology training with VNS, and finished the hours with Kaiser Permanente as a Psychological Assistant. Pre-doctoral internship was completed in the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in the Enhanced Outpatient Program for a men’s prison facility. Her doctoral dissertation was titled “Development of a Community-Based Trauma-Informed Music Therapy Program for Post-Trauma Recovery for Children and their Families.” She completed her music therapy clinical training at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, with an externship through The Music Works private music therapy agency in Sacramento. Clinically, Dr. Staedler has developed various music therapy programs throughout Northern California in educational, mental health, and medical settings, for children and adults with a variety of disabilities and illnesses. She has successfully trained and employed many music therapists over the years.
Dr. Staedler has served on the Western Region Chapter of the American Music Therapy Association, Inc. (WRAMTA) Executive Board as student president and treasurer. She will be serving as the WRAMTA President from 2025-2027. She also served the California Psychological Association for Graduate Students as Convention Chair. She has presented at conferences for the California Psychological Association, WRAMTA, and the CA Association for Child Life Professionals, among other local and regional presentation opportunities.
In her spare time, Dr. Staedler identifies herself as a “foodie” and is passionate about dining and cooking. She enjoys traveling, and spending time with her family. When opportunities arise, she has been known to play flute for various churches in the Central Valley, and has performed in various concerts and recitals. Dr. Staedler believes that the mind and body are connected, and that to reach true wellness, one has to care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual self, which are her goals with the new corporation- to serve the community and help people improve the quality of their lives reach full potential.
Dr. Staedler has a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology from Capella University and is a licensed psychologist in California, as well as a board-certified music therapist. She earned a double MBA in Entrepreneurship and Health Care Management from Jones International University. She also received a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy with a Minor in Speech and Language Pathology from the University of Pacific. Her primary instrument is the flute, though she also loves to sing.
In 2020, Dr. Staedler formed PRC as a new professional corporation to incorporate psychology and other wellness programs along with creative arts therapies, including music therapy, in treatment of the whole self, for all ages from birth to end of life. (PRC previously operated as In Harmony Music Therapy Services from 2002-2020)
Currently, Dr. Staedler performs medicolegal/forensic psychological and neuropsychological evaluations and immigration evaluations. She performs Social Security Disability Evaluations as a contractor with Megalithic Psychology, Inc. She is a Qualified Medical Evaluator (QME) in psychology through the CA Division of Workers Compensation, contracted through Expedient Medicolegal Services, Inc. She performs Fitness For Duty and Long-Term Disability Independent Medical Evaluations (IME) and is contracted with various agencies. She is an external provider in psychology and neuropsychology with Welbe Health. She also works part-time for Valley Neuropsychological Services (VNS) in Sacramento, providing individual psychotherapy and neuropsychological counseling, as well as neuropsychological evaluations, primarily for Spanish-speaking populations.
Dr. Staedler completed most of her post-doctoral Psychology training with VNS, and finished the hours with Kaiser Permanente as a Psychological Assistant. Pre-doctoral internship was completed in the CA Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in the Enhanced Outpatient Program for a men’s prison facility. Her doctoral dissertation was titled “Development of a Community-Based Trauma-Informed Music Therapy Program for Post-Trauma Recovery for Children and their Families.” She completed her music therapy clinical training at UC Davis Children’s Hospital, with an externship through The Music Works private music therapy agency in Sacramento. Clinically, Dr. Staedler has developed various music therapy programs throughout Northern California in educational, mental health, and medical settings, for children and adults with a variety of disabilities and illnesses. She has successfully trained and employed many music therapists over the years.
Dr. Staedler has served on the Western Region Chapter of the American Music Therapy Association, Inc. (WRAMTA) Executive Board as student president and treasurer. She will be serving as the WRAMTA President from 2025-2027. She also served the California Psychological Association for Graduate Students as Convention Chair. She has presented at conferences for the California Psychological Association, WRAMTA, and the CA Association for Child Life Professionals, among other local and regional presentation opportunities.
In her spare time, Dr. Staedler identifies herself as a “foodie” and is passionate about dining and cooking. She enjoys traveling, and spending time with her family. When opportunities arise, she has been known to play flute for various churches in the Central Valley, and has performed in various concerts and recitals. Dr. Staedler believes that the mind and body are connected, and that to reach true wellness, one has to care for the physical, emotional, and spiritual self, which are her goals with the new corporation- to serve the community and help people improve the quality of their lives reach full potential.