My Background
I have always been a "people person." By this I mean I'm fascinated by how people think, feel, and behave. Most important, I am interested in how people thrive and find fulfillment in their lives.
This interest is reflected in my career choices and educational background. I have worked in various social service settings with many different kinds of people, including professionals and trade workers, couples, single men and women, older adults, college students, people from rural and city backgrounds, people with developmental disabilities, men and women in correctional facilities, and people with chronic mental illness. This broad experience has given me a wonderful appreciation of people from various walks of life.
My interests have involved understanding the inter-relationship between physical health, socio-cultural influences, and psychological aspects of individuals. For 10 years I worked as a social worker providing services to adults and children with developmental disabilities, conducting investigations for adult protective services, providing social services to older adults in extended care facilities, and teaching sociology of aging to nursing students. After becoming a psychologist, I conducted research for a statewide smoking cessation program with the University of San Diego. For 4 years I worked in a community mental health setting providing assessment and individual and group psychotherapy to adults with acute and chronic emotional difficulties. I also worked with adults and adolescents in a group practice for 5 years.
Education
- Ph.D. Clinical Psychology
California School of Professional Psychology, San Diego - M.A. Gerontology
University of Arkansas, Little Rock - B.S.W. Social Work
University of Missouri, Columbia