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Curriculum Vitae

Biography

I received a BS in Behavioral Science from Utah Valley University, and my MS and PhD in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University in sunny Fort Lauderdale, Florida. My pre-doctoral intership was at a community health center in King County, Washington. My dissertation was on the long-term spiritual and psychological effects of clergy sexual abuse, as it compares to sexual abuse by family members and non-family members.

My first practicum experience was working in a clinic providing evidence-based, brief treatment of problematic alcohol use and other healthy lifestyle concerns. My second practicum placement was in a clinic providing trauma treatment of adults survivors of childhood abuse. My third practicum (or pre-internship in West-coast talk) was in the same healthy-lifestyles clinic providing supervision to new clinicians.

My interests include substance use disorders, trauma and related sequelae and brief interventions. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my family, reading good books, watching M*A*S*H, and wasting time working on my computers.

I work full-time in a primary care clinic providing behavioral health interventions based on the integrated primary care behavioral health consultation (PCBHC) model. For a great overview of this model, please read Patricia Robinson and Jeff Reiter’s excellent book, Behavioral Consultation in Primary Care.

Theoretical Orientation

As part of the training that therapists receive, we learn about a number of different theories that try to explain human behavior. The theoretical orientation of a therapist determines how they conceptualize an individual’s behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. When choosing a therapist, it is always appropriate to ask about theoretical orientation.

My theoretical orientation is based on Albert Bandura’s Social Learning Theory. Social learning theory supposes that learning occurs through cognitive processes which consist of observing what those around us do, and by learning from direct instruction from those we interact with. In other words, learning occurs in the context of social interaction.

A key component of therapies based on this theoretical orientation is the development and reinforcement of self-efficacy. Therapists using this theoretical model will provide behavioral interventions that increase an individual’s feelings of self-efficacy in order to affect change.

Services

At the present time, I do not provide direct client services outside of my full-time employment. I do, however, write and share educational and informational posts on a variety of topics related to mental and behavioral health.

Disclaimers

All information included on this web site is for educational and informational purposes only. Although the Internet can be a good place to find information, you should always speak to a licensed healthcare professional about any health related questions or concerns you may have. The opinions expressed on this site are mine alone and do not represent that of my employer or any other agency or organization.

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