Dr. Riffel was formally trained at the California School of Professional Psychology, where she earned her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. There she received specialized training the following areas of psychology: forensics, children and family psychology, and neuropsychology. Most recently she has received Advanced Neuropsychology Training through Fielding Graduate Institute in Chicago, Illinois.

She has studied extensively in the area of brain injury, and is a member of the National Academy of Neuropsychology, The American College of Forensic Examiners, and, is a Qualified Medical Evaluator with the Industrial Medical Council of California. She is also a credentialed provider with the National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology.