Doris Bersing

Doris Bersing is an Adjunct Professor in Counseling Psychology at the California Institute of Integral Studies, School of Professional Psychology and Health. She is a clinical psychologist, geriatric consultant, and expert in aging challenges, feminism, and ageism. Her work spans three decades in clinical care and education, with a focus on marginalized populations including trans* communities and seniors.

Education:

• PhD in Clinical Psychology from L'Universite de Toulouse, France
• Masters in Clinical Psychology, Professional Counseling, and Education

Research Interests: Doris explores violence against trans* people of color, necropolitics, and the liminal space of Black trans* women. She investigates intersections of feminism, ageism, and long-term care options for seniors. Her work integrates multicultural perspectives gained through international experience and fluency in English, Spanish, and French.

Key Contributions: Co-founded Living Well Assisted Living at Home to support aging-in-place. As CEO of The Pacific Institute, she pioneered gero-psychology training programs. Her expert witness work includes U.S. Supreme Court cases on asylum and elder abuse. Currently writing a book on feminist ageism titled *Still a Chance for Older Women: from Crone to Mentor*.

Awards:

• Eldership Award from the American Society on Aging
• Award-winning wellness programs for elders

Professional Roles: Directed clinical training at Saybrook University, designed gero-psychology specializations, and led programs at L'hopital de Jour-Lefevbre. Known for mentorship and advocacy, she combines academic rigor with community-focused initiatives.