Dr. Michelle De La Garza is a licensed clinical forensic psychologist with over a decade of experience providing mental health services to specialized populations, including adult and juvenile sex offenders and individuals diagnosed with severe psychotic disorders. She currently serves as a staff psychologist at North Kern State Prison, where she delivers direct clinical care, supports crisis intervention efforts, and contributes to treatment planning within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Dr. De La Garza began her career as a caregiver at the John Henry Foundation from 2013 to 2016. She completed clinical internships at the John Henry Foundation and the Orange County Health Care Agency – CEGU Probation. During her time in the County's juvenile detention program, she provided therapy to detained youths in high-risk criminal cases and conducted psychological testing and intake evaluations.

From 2015 to 2019, she worked as a staff clinician at Spero Psychological Services, an adult sex offender treatment program where she conducted therapy, evaluations, and probation consultations. She also served as an adjunct professor at Pacific Oaks College (2019–2020), teaching therapeutic modalities, California law and ethics, and case conceptualization to graduate students.

Since 2019, Dr. De La Garza has held concurrent roles as a staff psychologist at the John Henry Foundation and North Kern State Prison. In 2022, she transitioned out of a prior supervisory position and continues to provide clinical care and suicide risk assessments to correctional populations.

Dr. De La Garza earned her Doctorate in Psychology from Alliant International University in 2015 and her Bachelor's degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 2011. Her professional focus remains rooted in providing evidence-based care to complex forensic populations, with a strong commitment to rehabilitation, safety, and clinical excellence.