Alumni in the News

CPS Alumna Accepts Postdoctoal Fellowship at University of Rochester

2011-07-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

Kavita Joshi, a Ph.D. candidate at CPS, accepted a postdoctoral fellowship in the pediatric track in the Primary Care Family Psychology Fellowship Program at the University of Rochester. Ms. Joshi is currently completing her internship at the University of Florida Health Science Center in the Medical/Health Psychology track.

Alumna is Nominated for the Phil Seat Award

2011-07-01T09:14:00.003-07:00

Alumna Jennilee Abolafia (Psy.S. 2001) has been nominated for the Phil Seat Award by the Broward Association of School Psychologists. The award is given in memory of Phil Seat, a well-respected consultant and school psychologist in Broward County.

Alumna Accepts Position at Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy

2011-07-01T09:14:00.001-07:00

Sue Warshal (Ph.D. 1999) recently accepted a position as Executive Director at the Institute of Contemporary Psychotherapy located in New York, NY where she will supervise the provision of post-graduate training as well as mental health treatment to the community.

Alumnus is the Chief of the Department of Behavioral Health at Ft. Lee, VA

2011-07-01T09:13:00.004-07:00

Colonel Robert Stewart (Ph.D. 1996) is the Chief of the Department of Behavioral Health at Ft. Lee, VA. He has had multiple deployments over the past 8 years and has developed effective strategies for treating the combat PTSD/Traumatic Brain Injury populations.

Alumna Returns from Afghanistan

2011-07-01T09:13:00.003-07:00

Captain Tracy Mayfield, USAF (Psy.D 2008) recently returned from Afghanistan where she was the only SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) psychologist there. She handled the reintegration of service personnel who are captured by the Taliban (or other local factions), are shot down, etc. and had to survive on their own prior to rescue by friendly forces. CPS alumni, Captain Erin Johns, USA (Ph.D. 2010) is now serving in Iraq.

Alumna Accepts Position at University of Miami

2011-07-01T09:13:00.001-07:00

Ivette Cruz (PhD 2010) has accepted a faculty position at the University of Miami. Dr. Cruz will be working in conjunction with the Cochlear Implant Team where she will be involved with pre-implantation evaluations, assessment of cognitive and academic functioning, and supportive therapy for children with hearing impairments and their families. She is also conducting NIH funded research on the effects of cochlear implantation on cognitive, emotional and social development at the Ear Institute in the Barton G. Kids Hear Now Cochlear Implant Family resource Center.

Alumna Accepts Position as Psychologist

2011-07-01T09:12:00.001-07:00

Amy Fishgold (PsyD 2009) has accepted a position as a psychologist for the Fetal Alcohol/Drug Exposure Center, Marcus Autism Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Alumna Accepts Position with Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

2011-07-01T09:11:00.002-07:00

Jamie Pollack (PsyD 2002) accepted a position with the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery for the Department of the Navy in Washington D.C. to work as a clinical expert/clinical health policy advisor in neuropsychology for the Traumatic Brain Injury Program (TBI). Dr. Pollack offers advisement on the TBI evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation programs for injured sailors and marines.

Alumnus Accents Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School

2011-07-01T09:11:00.001-07:00

Timothy Petersen, Ph.D. (1998) is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Petersen has considerable research, writing, teaching and clinical work in the area of cognitive-behaviorally based psychotherapies for mood disorders.

Alumna Presents at Conference

2011-04-08T08:20:00.001-07:00

Belinda Thomas (M.S. 2011) presented Spiritual Coping: Implications and strategies for working with individuals from Trinidad at the recent Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling Biannual National Conference.

CPS Alumna Takes Position at Army Medical Center

2011-04-08T08:19:00.004-07:00

Erin Johns (Ph.D. 2010, M.S. 2010) has accepted a position at the Womack Army Medical Center at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. In addition to completing the doctoral clinical psychology program, Dr. Johns completed the center’s master’s program in clinical psychopharmacology and was awarded her degree in December 2010.

CPS ALUMNUS JOINS FLORIDA MARLINS STAFF

2011-04-08T08:19:00.003-07:00

Robert Seifer (Ph.D. 2002) has been hired as the Team Psychologist/Performance Enhancement Coach for the Florida Marlins organization. In this position Dr. Seifer created and has implemented a psychological performance enhancement program to all the players of the Marlins organization. Dr. Seifer is an associate professor of psychology at Lynn University.

Alumnus Co-Edits Book

2011-04-08T08:19:00.001-07:00

Mark Blais, Psy.D. (1990), recently co-edited a book, Clinical Applications of the Personality Assessment Inventory.

CPS Alumnus Recognized for Distinguished Research

2011-04-08T08:18:00.001-07:00

Bradley Donohue (Ph.D. 1995) was recently awarded the UNLV Barrick Scholar Award for Distinguished Research, and the UNLV Alumni Association’s Outstanding Faculty Award and Student-Focused Award. Dr. Donohue is the director of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Achievement Center. Dr. Donohue has directed projects funded by NIDA, NIMH, and SAMSHA. He is a recipient of the Western Psychological Association Early Career Research Award.

Alumna Awarded Prestigious Scholarship

2011-02-25T08:58:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies alumna MaryBeth Bailar-Heath, Psy.D. (2010) was recently awarded the prestigious National Psychologist Trainee Register (NPTR) Credentialing Scholarship. The National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology (National Register), in conjunction with the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS), presents the NPTR Credentialing Scholarship to exceptional doctoral students in psychology interested in becoming credentialed by the National Register through its student program, the National Psychologist Trainee Register. These individuals are recognized for their exemplary commitment to academic and professional excellence. Following the conferral of her clinical psychology degree, Dr. Bailar-Heath is currently completing a post-doctoral fellowship at the VA Boston/Harvard Medical Center.

CPS Alumnus Accepts Appointment at NIH

2011-02-25T08:51:00.003-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies alumnus John Dsurney, Ph.D. (1991) has accepted an appointment as Neuropsychology Director for the Henry Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine at the Center for Neurosciences and Regenerative Medicine of the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland.

CPS Alumnus Starts 3rd Term as President of NY State Association of Neuropsychology

2011-02-25T08:51:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies alumnus Dominic Carone, Ph.D. (2003) recently began his third term as President of the New York State Association of Neuropsychology. Dr. Carone is currently employed as a board certified neuropsychologist and assistant professor at SUNY Upstate Medical University where he coordinates the Neuropsychology Assessment Program.

CPS Alumnus Named FASP Awards Chair

2011-02-25T08:50:00.003-08:00

Kurt Wasser, Psy.S. (2005) has been named the Florida Association of School Psychologists (FASP) Awards Chair for 2011.

Alumnus Awarded Diplomate in Forensic Psychology

2011-02-25T08:50:00.001-08:00

Major Sean McDonald, Psy.D. (2004) has been awarded a Diplomate in Forensic Psychology from the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). Major McDonald was the first fellow of the Army’s Forensic Psychology Fellowship-a two year program located at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He is the first CPS alumnus to receive a Diplomate in Forensic Psychology.

Kristin Cunningham Appointed FASP Newsletter Co-Chair

2011-02-25T08:49:00.000-08:00

Kristin Cunningham, Psy.D. (2006) has been appointed FASP Newsletter co-chair. Dr. Cunningham serves as assistant director of the NSU School Psychology Assessment and Consultation Center.

CPS Alumna Receives Appointment at Yale

2011-02-25T08:45:00.003-08:00

Jessica J. Ruiz, Psy.D. (2009) has accepted an appointment for a clinical faculty position at Yale University School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Ruiz completed her pre-doctoral internship and postdoctoral training at Yale. Dr. Ruiz was the 2009 receipt of the Center for Psychological Studies Robert D. Weitz Psychology Student Award, an honor given to an outstanding graduating clinical psychology doctoral student.

Alumna Received APA Early Career Award

2011-02-25T08:45:00.001-08:00

Abigail Malcolm Tucker, Psy.D. (2006) is the 2010 recipient of the American Psychological Association Division 18 (Public Service Division) Early Career Award.

CPS Alumna Accepts Appoint with the State of Georgia

2011-02-25T08:44:00.003-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies alumna Darcy Shores, Ph.D./Psy.D. (2006) recently accepted a position as a forensic psychologist for the State of Georgia. She conducts pretrial evaluations for competency to stand trial and degree of criminal responsibility.

CPS Alumna Accepts Fellowship at Harvard

2011-02-25T08:44:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies Alumna Sara Salter, Ph.D. (2010) has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship within Harvard Medical School’s Children and the Law Program at Massachusetts General Hospital.

NSU Alumnus Meetings President Obama

2011-02-25T08:43:00.000-08:00

Michael Bourke Ph.D. (2000) of the United States Marshall’s Service (USMS) met with President Obama and Vice-President Biden at the White House, accompanying the director. Bourke served as the subject matter expert for the meeting which concerned sex offender apprehension. Bourke is Chief Psychologist for the USMS, serving as the head of the Behavioral Analysis Unit. The unit, a component of the National Sex Offender Targeting Center, works in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), acting as an international intelligence and operations center supporting the identification, investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of noncompliant sex offenders.

CPS Alumna Named Deputy Director for the American Psychological Association (APA) Education Directorate

2010-08-25T16:17:00.001-07:00

Center for Psychological Studies alumna Catherine Grus, Ph.D. (1993) has been named Deputy Director in the APA Education Directorate. Since joining the directorate as Associate Executive Director for Professional Education and Training in 2005, Dr. Grus has worked to advance polices that promote high quality education and training in professional psychology. She has also served as the Directorate’s liaison to national, international, and inter-organizational education and training councils.

After receiving her Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1993, Dr. Grus completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, after which she joined the faculty of the University of Miami School of Medicine, where she served as director of their psychology internship program.

CPS Alumna Accepts Appoint with State of Georgia

2010-08-09T12:48:00.001-07:00

Darcy Shores, Ph.D./Psy.D. (2006) recently accepted a position as a forensic psychologist for the State of Georgia. She conducts pretrial evaluations for competency to stand trial and degree of criminal responsibility.

CPS Alumna Receives Appointment at Yale

2010-08-09T12:47:00.003-07:00

Jessica J. Ruiz, Psy.D. (2009) has accepted an appointment for a clinical faculty position at Yale University School of Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry. Dr. Ruiz completed her pre-doctoral internship and postdoctoral training at Yale. Dr. Ruiz was the 2009 receipt of the Center for Psychological Studies
Robert D. Weitz Psychology Student Award, an honor given to an outstanding graduating clinical psychology doctoral student.

CPS Alumni Team Up to Co-Edit Handbook

2010-08-09T12:47:00.001-07:00

CPS alumni Lee Baer, Ph.D. (1980) and Mark Blais, Psy.D. (1990) of Harvard University have co-edited the Handbook of Clinical Rating Scales and Assessment in Psychiatry and Mental Health.

CPS Alumnus Publishes Edited Book

2010-08-09T12:46:00.001-07:00

CPS alumnus Lee Baer, Ph.D. (1980) recently published an edited book on the use of rating scales and brief assessments in psychiatry and mental health. Dr. Baer is an associate professor at Harvard University. Dr. Baer is recognized internationally for his expertise in the treatment of Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD) and is currently the director of research of the OCD Institute at McLean Hospital.

CPS Alumna Begins Post-doc VA Healthcare System

2010-04-28T08:44:00.000-07:00

Center for Psychological Studies alumna Kristen Harris, Ph.D. (2009) recently began a 2-year neuropsychology fellowship within the Connecticut Veteran’s Administration Health Care System in West Haven, Connecticut.

CPS Alumna Accepts Appointment at University of Miami

2010-03-31T12:37:00.001-07:00

Center for Psychological Studies alumna Beth Zeldis, Psy.D. (2007) accepted an appointment at the University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine Neurosurgery Sports Medicine Center. Zeldis will be dividing her time between research and clinical work.

Major Monty Baker Named CPS 2010 Distinguished Alumnus

2010-03-15T17:06:00.001-07:00

CPS Alumnus Major Monty Baker (Ph.D. 2002) was honored at the NSU Celebration of Excellence as a recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award. Major Baker heads the Clinical Research Division on Warrior Resiliency for the U.S. Department of Defense. He is in the United States Air Force and is stationed at San Antonio Military Medical Center.

Professor, Alumna, and Student Co-Author Article

2010-03-15T17:04:00.000-07:00

Professor Wiley Mittenberg, alumna Lori Miller and doctoral students Allison Myers and Lena Prinzi co-authored “Changes in intellectual functioning associated with normal aging,” for Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology

CPS Alumna Working with U.S. Army Civilian Warrior Resiliency Program

2010-03-03T12:13:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies alumna Brandi Booth, Ph.D. (2009) recently accepted a 2-year fellowship working with the U.S. Department of Army Civilian Warrior Resiliency Program at the San Antonio Military Medical Center. Dr. Booth’s 2-year fellowship will focus on both clinical work and research in military Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD), risk and resilience., focusing on military violence risk and management. She is also working with the San Antonio Police Department’s crisis negotiations and psychological services.

CPS Alumnus Michael Bourke, Ph.D. (2000) Provides Training for Police Hostage Negotiators

2010-02-23T12:52:00.000-08:00

On January 21, 2010 Center for Psychological Studies alumnus Michael Bourke, Ph.D. (2000) gave an invited address on Child Sexual Offenses at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Bourke is Chief Psychologist for the United States Marshall’s Service (USMS), serving as the head of the USMS Behavioral Analysis Unit. The unit, a component of the National Sex Offender Targeting Center, works in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), acting as an international intelligence and operations center supporting the identification, investigation, apprehension, and prosecution of noncompliant sex offenders.

Prior to joining the Marshall’s Service, Bourke worked as a clinical psychologist first for the Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP) and Hypersexuality Management Program (HMP), and then for the Commitment and Treatment Program for Sexually Dangerous Persons (CTP) at the Federal Correctional Institution in Butner, North Carolina. During his career Bourke has worked in several state and federal prisons as well as the Dallas Police Department’s Psychology Services Unit. In addition to giving invited addresses on the topics of Internet child exploitation and sex offender typology at national and international conferences, Bourke has been an invited instructor at the FBI Academy as well as several divisions of the Central Intelligence Agency, the United States Secret Service, INTERPOL, and numerous other law enforcement and intelligence agencies. He is a consultant to the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU-3), and is adjunct faculty at NSU and the U.S. Department of Defense Academy for Credibility Assessment (DACA).

Sexual offenses against children, specifically child exploitation, are on the increase. Bourke stated that law enforcement officials have been thrust into a demographic which was rare prior to 1994. Eighty two percent of the growth in child exploitation in America can be attributed to child pornography, 17% to sex transportation, and 1% to sexual abuse.

Bourke’s dynamic presentation focused on special issues and strategies in crisis (hostage) negotiations with sex offenders as well as methods used by law enforcement officials to combat child exploitation, focusing on the usefulness of psychology in treating perpetrators, victims, and as a preventive measure for those exposed to graphic child exploitation materials. The need to implement preventative measures for law enforcement officers exposed to horrifying material associated with sex offenders was also discussed.

Local Law Enforcement officials including hostage negotiators, as well as child abuse and sex crimes investigators from several area agencies, the FBI Miami Field Office, and students and faculty members from the Center for Psychological Studies attended Bourke’s presentation. The Center for Psychological Studies appreciates that Bourke took time from a very hectic schedule to visit NSU.

CPS Alumna Names Psychologist of the Year by FPA

2010-02-22T14:35:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies alumna Elaine Orbana Foster, Ph.D. (1988) was recently named Psychologist of the Year by the Florida Psychological Association (FPA).

CPS Alumna Appointment

2010-02-10T09:28:00.001-08:00

Tanya White-Davis, Psy.D. (2007), recently accepted a faculty appointment in the Department of Family and Social Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center, Westchester, NY. The Department of Family and Social Medicine is nationally recognized for its training in urban family medicine.

Students and Alumni Author Journal Article

2010-02-04T09:36:00.000-08:00

Doctoral student Amy Angleman, along with NSU alumni Brandi Booth (CPS, Ph.D. 2009), Emmanuel Finney (CPS, Ph.D., 2008), Gregg Vecchi (SHSS, Ph.D., 2006), and Professor Vincent Van Hasselt, Ph.D. shared in the authorship of “Captive-taking in the context of domestic violence: A descriptive analysis,” for the journal Victims and Offenders.

CPS and SHSS Student, Alums and Professor Collaborate on Published Article

2010-01-27T17:26:00.001-08:00

Doctoral student Amy Angleman, along with NSU alums Brandi Booth, Ph.D., (CPS, 2009), Emmanuel Finney, Ph.D., (CPS, 2008), Gregg Vecchi, Ph.D., (SHSS, 2006), and CPS professor Vincent Van Hasselt, Ph.D. shared in the authorship of “Captive-taking in the context of domestic violence: A descriptive analysis,” for the journal, Victims and Offenders.

CPS Alum Receives Appointment

2009-12-11T07:25:00.001-08:00

Jessica Foley, Ph.D./Psy.D. (2007), has received a joint faculty appointment in neuropsychology at Harvard Medical School and the Boston VA Healthcare System. Her work will include conducting research in neuroimaging of neurodegenerative conditions of aging. Foley will also supervise neuropsychology interns and doctoral students in clinical psychology at the Boston Consortium, providing training on white matter degeneration and sub-cortical dementia. Following the completion of her pre-doctoral internship at Brown Medical School, Foley completed a postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA.

CPS Alumna Appointed as Assistant Training Director in Texas

2009-11-25T07:19:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies alumna Allyson Baker, Psy.D. (2008), has received an appointment as assistant training director for internship/postdoctoral training for the South Texas Veterans Health Care System in San Antonio, Texas.

CPS Alumna Appointment

2009-11-23T09:56:00.001-08:00

Center for Psychological Studies Alumna Tanya White-Davis (Psy.D. 2007) has accepted a faculty appointment in the Department of Family and Social Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center, Westchester, NY. The Department of Family and Social Medicine is nationally recognized for its training in urban family medicine.

CPS Alum Makes Presentation at ABPsi International Convention

2009-11-23T09:51:00.001-08:00

B. Williams; Yvonne Jesus, CPS/SHSS Enrollment Manager/Recruiting; CPS Mental Health Counseling student Bizen Tesfazghi, CPS alum LaRae Williams, Psy.D.; Chrissyle Shaw, M.S., currently a CPS doctoral student in clinical psychology program and CPS alumna Marva M. Robinson, Psy.D.

The 41st Association of Black Psychologist (ABPsi) held their annual International Convention at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, GA. The convention’s theme was “Building on Yesterday, Building for Tomorrow: The Mission of Black/African Psychologist Working Together”.

The ABPsi convention included events such as the Student Circle Awards Luncheon where CPS alum Marva Robinson, Psy.D, presented an award. CPS was also acknowledged as a sponsor of the luncheon.

CPS 1998 Alumna Receives National Recognition

2009-11-05T13:06:00.001-08:00

Sherri Skibinski (Psy.D. 1998) is currently the clinical director at the Miami Federal Correctional Institution where she spearheaded the effort to bring establish a practicum site for NSU clinical psychology doctoral students. Dr. Skibinski recently received National recognition for her work in Reentry programming during the 2009 Defender/Offender Workforce Development (DOWD) Conference, a premier crime reduction and employment event highlighting best-practices in Re-entry programming from around the country, which was held in Pittsburgh, PA.

Dr. Skibinski has received many awards since joining the Bureau of Prisons. She was an Honor Graduate of the Federal Bureau of Prisons Training Academy and an Honor Graduate of Hostage Negotiation Training. She also received a Certificate of Exceptional Performance for Firearms. In 2004 and 2005, she was nominated for the Federal Employee of the Year Award by the South Florida Federal Executive Board. Her most notable achievements, though, have been through her innovative techniques and programming which have achieved national recognition.

Dr. Skibinski developed, implemented, and single-handedly runs a values-based, residential reentry program entitled Inmate Change and Alternative Network (I CAN). Beginning in 2004 with 60 offenders, the I CAN Program was developed to evaluate and address offenders’ life skill deficiencies by assigning them to institution sponsored programs that addressed their specific limitations. Currently, the program houses 152 offenders who are required to develop and implement short and long-term goals targeting their psychological and physical health, spiritual growth, vocational and educational needs, as well as their civic responsibilities. By utilizing this multifaceted approach Dr. Skibinski has assured that offenders receive assistance in areas that will enhance their “life skills” as well as challenge their perceptions and encourage change.

In 2005, Dr. Skibinski was awarded the prestigious Myrl E. Alexander Award, by the Director of the Bureau of Prisons for her contributions to the development of new techniques in correctional programs and in the implementation of innovative procedures. In February, 2008 U.S. Attorney R. Alexander Acosta presented Dr. Skibinski with a Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Award for her work in developing the I CAN Program and for her continued efforts with Offender Reentry programming in South Florida. Dr. Skibinski is currently the Coordinator of both the I CAN Program and the Non-Residential Drug Abuse Program at the Miami Federal Correctional Institution.

CPS 2009 Distinguished Alumna Receives NIH Grant

2009-10-28T07:19:00.001-07:00

NSU Center for Psychological Studies (CPS) alumna Joan M. Cook, Ph.D., (1999) of Yale University is the recent recipient of a National Institute of Health (NIH) grant.

The grant addresses a proposed topic for NIH “Strategies to Support Uptake of Interventions within Clinical Community and Setting.” Cook submitted her grant as part of President Obama’s America Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The grant will implement two evidence-based psychotherapies for treating post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans. The research team will characterize and assess the implementation of Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PET) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Residential PTSD Treatment Programs. PET involves using mental imagery, writing, and other tasks to safely confront fears and feelings associated with trauma. CPT asks veterans to describe their trauma and then the therapist helps to redirect pervasive and destructive thoughts associated with the trauma.

Cook and her colleagues will collaborate with the Northeast Program Evaluation Center, monitoring all Veteran’s Affairs mental health programming and patient outcomes, and the National Center for PTSD, overseeing the dissemination of PET and CPT nationally among Veteran’s Affairs providers.

CPS Alum Makes Presentation at ABPsi International Convention

2009-09-23T07:02:00.000-07:00

B. Williams; Yvonne Jesus, CPS/SHSS Enrollment Manager/Recruiting; CPS Mental Health Counseling student Bizen Tesfazghi, CPS alumna LaRae Williams, Psy.D.; Chrissyl Shaw, M.S., CPS doctoral student; CPS alumna Marva M. Robinson, Psy.D.

The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi) recently held its annual International Convention at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, GA. The convention’s theme was, “Building on Yesterday, Building for Tomorrow: The Mission of Black/African Psychologists Working Together.”

The ABPsi convention included events such as the Student Circle Awards Luncheon where Center for Psychological Studies alumna Marva Robinson, Psy.D, presented an award. CPS was also acknowledged as a sponsor of the luncheon.

CPS Alumna Begins Faculty Appointment at Harvard and Boston Healthcare System

2009-08-26T08:01:00.001-07:00

Jessica Foley, Ph.D. (2007), a Center for Psychological Studies alumna, has received a joint faculty appointment in neuropsychology at Harvard Medical School and the Boston VA Healthcare System. Her work will include conducting research in neuroimaging of neurodegenerative conditions of aging. She will also supervise neuropsychology interns and doctoral students in clinical psychology at the Boston Consortium, providing training on white matter degeneration and subcortical dementia.

CPS Faculty, Alumni & Students Co-Author Journal Article

2009-06-08T06:43:00.000-07:00

Professors Linda and Mark Sobell, Professor Ed Simco and CPS alumni Monica Roy, Ph.D. (2007), Ramona Palmerio-Roberts, Psy.D. (2007), and doctoral students Miriam Dum and Heather Manor co-authored “Comparison of the Quick Drinking Screen and the Alcohol Timeline Followback with outpatient alcohol abusers,” for the journal Substance Use and Misuse.

Alumna Jessica Parker, Psy.D. (2007) Prepares for Iraq

2009-05-20T09:26:00.001-07:00

Alumna Jessica Parker, Psy.D. (2007) is Chief of Psychology at Ft Stewart, GA where she oversees eight psychologists, supervises social workers, and conducts military medical boards. Captain Parker is preparing to deploy to Iraq in June for 13 months.

APA Award Goes to CPS Alumnus

2009-05-20T07:26:00.001-07:00

CPS Alumnus Mark Blais (Psy.D. 1990) is the 2009 recipient of the Theodore Millon Award in Personality Psychology. Presented by the American Psychological Association (APA), the award honors an outstanding psychologist engaged in advancing the science of personality psychology including the areas of personology and personality disorders. The award will be presented to Dr. Blais at the 2009 APA convention in Toronto. Dr. Blais is an Associate Professor of Psychology (Psychiatry) at Harvard Medical School and the Associate Chief of Psychology and Director of the Psychological Evaluation and Research Laboratory, a comprehensive psychological assessment and research program. He also serves as the Director of the Adult Track of the Massachusetts General Hospital Clinical Psychology Internship.. Dr. Blais is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Personality Assessment.

CPS Alumnus Speaks to Illinois House of Representatives

2009-03-05T12:22:00.000-08:00

On February 20, 2009 CPS alumnus Jeremy Bidwell (Ph.D. 2008.) was asked by the Illinois Psychological Association to testify at the Illinois House of Representatives, Health Care Licenses Committee hearing in support of a bill proposing prescriptive authority for licensed psychologists with additional training in psychopharmacology. Dr. Bidwell is the Associate Director of the Illinois Center for Rural Psychology which has recently adopted the push for prescription privileges for Medical Psychologists as a central mission focus of the organization and will be showing support in Illinois and Wisconsin as a means to providing greater mental health care services in rural communities. Dr. Bidwell was awarded a masters degree in clinical psychopharmacology in 2007.

Professor, Student, and Alumnus Share Authorship

2009-02-26T11:02:00.001-08:00

Dr. Vincent Van Hasselt, doctoral student Brandi Booth, alumnus Emmanual Finney (Ph.D, 2008) and others shared in the authorship of “Captive-taking incidents in the context of workplace violence: Descriptive analysis and case examples,” for the journal Victims and Offenders.

CPS Alumnus Interviewed by National Public Radio (NPR)

2009-02-13T12:43:00.000-08:00

CPS Alumnus Brian Freedman, Ph.D. (2006) was interviewed by National Public Radio on January 15, 2009 where he discussed his work with children with mild autism. Dr. Friedman is on staff at the Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders, at the Kennedy Krieger Institute.. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the Kennedy Krieger Institute is a multi-faceted, multidisciplinary program for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Center for Psychological Studies Alumna Co-authors Journal Article

2009-02-13T12:42:00.001-08:00

CPS Alumna Abigail Tucker (Psy.D.2006) along with CPS professor Vincent Van Hasselt and Scott A. Russell authored “Law Enforcement Response to the Mentally Ill: An Evaluative Review,” for the journal Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention.

Professor and Alumna Co-Author Book Chapter

2009-01-29T09:15:00.000-08:00

Professor Wiley Mittenberg and CPS Alumna Darcy Roberts (Ph.D. 2008) co-authored a book chapter, Mild traumatic brain injury and post-concussion, for The Handbook of Clinical Neuropsychology.

Professor and Alumna Co-Author Chapter

2009-01-16T07:56:00.001-08:00

Professor Wiley Mittenberg and CPS Alumna Darcy Roberts (Ph.D. 2008) co-authored a book chapter, Mild traumatic brain injury and post-concussion, for The Handbook of Clinical Neuropsychology.

CPS FACULTY HIGHLIGHT NSU SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGY ASSESSMENT AND CONSULTATION CENTER (SPACC) AT NATIONAL CONVENTION

2009-01-15T08:35:00.000-08:00

CPS faculty Ralph E. “Gene” Cash, Ph.D., NCSP, and Sarah A. Valley-Gray, Psy.D., along with Kristen M. Cunningham, Psy.D., CPS alumna and acting director of the NSU School Psychology Assessment and Consultation Center (SPACC) presented a poster entitled, “An innovative an collaborative model for the supervision of school psychology trainees,” at the Trainers of School Psychologists meeting at the 2008 Convention of the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). The presentation delineated the innovative training model used at the SPACC, one of several faculty directed clinical specialty programs located at the NSU Psychology Services Center. Trainers representing all regions of the United States had the opportunity to learn about this innovative model of a university-based clinic practicum for school psychologists, as well as about the collaborative model of supervision that guides the monitoring of trainee progress. Dr. Cash is the current president of NASP.

CPS Alumnus Featured in Baltimore Sun Article

2009-01-15T07:35:00.000-08:00

CPS Alumnus Brian Freedman, Ph.D. (2006) was featured in an article on autism “Magic in the Water,” that appeared in the January 5 edition of the Baltimore Sun. Freedman’s research focus while at CPS was on autism. His doctoral dissertation was entitled “Understanding the Experience of Fathers of Children with Autism.”

Book Co-Edited by CPS Professor & Alumnus

2008-12-02T14:42:00.001-08:00

Professor Steven Gold and CPS Alumnus Jon Elhai (Ph.D. 2000) co-edited the book Trauma and serious mental illness.

CPS Partners with American Red Cross

2008-10-24T10:47:00.001-07:00

CPS recently partnered with the American Red Cross represented by CPS Alumni Ron Ellis (Psy.D. 1993) and Marti Ellis (Psy.D. 1992) to provide continuing education workshop to mental health professionals on “Foundation in Disaster Mental Health”. CPS has worked with the American Red Cross over the past few years to insure students and professionals are qualified to respond to the psychological needs of disaster victims.

Alden Cass, Psy.D. (2002) to present at New York City Alumni Event

2008-10-10T13:35:00.000-07:00

NSU alumni from New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are invited to an exciting New York City event featuring Alden Cass (2002), a graduate of the doctoral program in clinical psychology. Dean Grosby and John Lewis, Director of Academic Affairs of the Center for Psychological Studies will be attending along with other CPS alumni.

Cass will present Risky Business: Innovative Strategies for Survival in an Uncertain World on June 5th at 6:30 pm at the Hilton New York at 1335 Avenue of the Americas. An introduction will be given by Dean Randolph Pohlman of NSU's School fo Business and Entrepreneurship.

Cass recently co-authored two books, Bullish Thinking: the Advisor’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving on Wall Street, and The Bullish Thinking Guide for Managers: How to Save Your Advisors and Grow Your Bottom Line.

Cass is president of Catalyst Strategies Group, a team of psychologists and performance coaches specializing in coaching financial services executives to become more productive and disciplined during market downturns and other stressful times. Cass sits on the Board of the National Association of Investment Professionals and is a research committee member of the Financial Services Policy Institute.

We look forward to seeing our alumns at this event! For more information, contact us at 954-262-2103 or register online at www.nova.edu/alumni/events.html

Professor Nathan Azrin, Ph.D., CPS alumnus Jeanne Brooks, Psy.D., and doctoral student Michael Kellen co-authored journal article

2008-10-10T13:34:00.000-07:00

Professor Nathan Azrin, Ph.D., CPS alumnus Jeanne Brooks, Psy.D., and doctoral student Michael Kellen co-authored “Relationship between rate of eating and degree of satiation” for the Journal of Child and Family Behavior Therapy.

CPS Alumnus Receives Prestigious Award

2008-10-10T13:33:00.002-07:00

Samuel Gontkovsky, Psy.D. ( 1999) has been awarded the David Shakow Early Career Award for Outstanding Early Career Contributions to the Science and Practice of Clinical Psychology by Division 12 of the American Psychological Association. Dr. Gontkovsky will be presented with the award at a ceremony to take place on August 16, 2008 in Boston at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association.

Center for Psychological Studies Professor Steven N. Gold and CPS Alumnus Jon Elhai, (Ph.D. 2000) have published a book

2008-10-10T13:33:00.001-07:00

Center for Psychological Studies Professor Steven N. Gold and CPS Alumnus Jon Elhai, (Ph.D. 2000) have published a book, Trauma and Serious Mental Illness. Publishers: Haworth Press, Binghamton, NY.

CPS Faculty, Alumnus and Student Co-author Journal Article

2008-10-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

Professor Nathan Azrin, Ph.D., CPS alumna Jeanne Brooks, Psy.D., and doctoral student Michael Kellen have co-authored “Relationship between rate of eating and degree of satiation” for the journal Child and Family Behavior Therapy.

David Ahern, Ph.D. (1980) -- CPS 2008 Distinguished Alumnus

2008-10-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

Left to Right: Dean Karen Grosby, Professor Ed Simco, CPS Founding Dean Frank DePiano, Distinguished Alumnus David Ahern, Mrs. Ahern, Professor Emeritus Leo Reyna, Professor Nathan Azrin, CPS Advisory Board Chair Joe Millsaps, Ms. Vicki Azrin.

CPS Alumna Co-authors Children’s Book

2008-10-10T13:30:00.000-07:00

CPS Alumna Melissa K. Runyon, Ph.D. (1996) has co-authored When Love Hurts a children’s therapeutic book to assist children in healing from child physical abuse. Dr. Runyon is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Treatment Services Director at the Child Abuse Research, Education, and Services (CARES) Institute at the University of Medicine & Dentistry, New Jersey-School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Runyon, the lead developer of a treatment model designed to address the needs of both the child and offending parent in cases of child physical abuse, provides extensive training and ongoing case consultation in that area both nationally and internationally, most recently to four agencies across the country of Sweden. She served as a member of a NIMH-sponsored U.S. Delegation to address Child Sexual Abuse and HIV issues in South Africa. South Africa-United States Consultation on Child Sexual Abuse Research convened under the South Africa-United States Cooperation Forum in conjunction with the Second South African Gender-Based Violence and Health Conference.

Professor and Alumnus Publish In Leading Criminal Justice Journal

2008-10-10T13:29:00.001-07:00

USAF Major Monty Baker (Ph.D. 02) recently completed his second Iraq deployment. His dissertation project has been accepted for publication in “Criminal Justice and Behavior”, a premier criminal justice journal. Major Baker is currently stationed at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas and will return to campus to present to CPS students in February. The article, published with Professors Van Hasselt and Sellers, is entitled “Validation of the Novaco Anger Scale”. The scale was used with an incarcerated offender population. The work will appear in Criminal Justice and Behavior.

The abstract is below:

Many attempts have been made to construct measures that assess different aspects of anger. The Novaco Anger Scale (NAS) was developed to assess anger and predict violent behavior. Validity research on the NAS to date has yielded promising results. However, few studies have examined the NAS among incarcerated offenders. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to: (1) examine the psychometric properties of the NAS in a sample of male and female incarcerated adults; (2) investigate the relationship between the NAS and self-report measures of anger, social desirability, and personality; and (3) evaluate the factor dimensions of the NAS using confirmatory factor-analytic procedures. Participants were adult male and female offenders incarcerated in “Program Units” of three large county jail facilities in Southeastern Florida. Results indicated that the theoretically-derived scales of the NAS demonstrated both reliability and validity in these groups of offenders. Further, the correlations between the NAS and anger measures were significant. Based on confirmatory factor analyses, the two-factor oblique model was supported, and all NAS subscales loaded significantly on their designated factors.

CPS Distinguished Alumnus Presents Colloquium

2008-10-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

The Center for Psychological Studies 2008 Distinguished Alumnus, David Ahern, Ph.D. (1981), gave a noontime presentation during his recent visit to NSU. Dr. Ahern’s presentation, Current and Emerging eHealth Technologies: Is the Future Now?, dealt with the impact of internet-enabled information communication technologies on the physician-patient relationship.

Dr. Ahern, who is Assistant Professor of Psychology (Psychiatry) at Harvard Medical School and National Program Director, Brigham and Women’ Hospital, Health e-Technologies Initiative, has had a distinguished career in research. He has published over 60 original articles and several book chapters in the areas of chronic pain, cardiovascular behavioral medicine and eHealth research, as well as being a popular speaker for numerous professional organizations.

Master’s Alumna Accepts Position with Broward County School Board

2008-10-10T13:26:00.002-07:00

Center for Psychological Studies Alumna Mabel Thackeray, M.S. (2007) has accepted a position as Counselor for the Broward County School Board. Ms. Thackeray will be providing counseling for schools in the North Broward area.

CPS Alumna begins term as president of the North Florida Chapter of Florida Psychological Association

2008-10-10T13:26:00.001-07:00

Center for Psychological Studies alumna Jane Echterling, Ph.D. (1999) began a one-year term as president of the Florida Psychological Association: North Central Florida Chapter on January 1, 2008.

Alumna Beth Gewirtzman was interviewed on NBC

2008-10-10T13:25:00.002-07:00

Beth Gewirtzman, Psy.S. (2005) was recently interviewed on NBC/WTVJ South Florida Today show. She recently published a children's book entitled "Allie the Alligator" that was featured during the interview. She also recently published a book of poetry entitled "Passionate Words of the Heart".

Alumnus Anthony Castro accepts a position at the University of Miami School of Medicine

2008-10-10T13:25:00.001-07:00

CPS Alumnus Anthony Castro, Psy.D/Ph.D (2005) has accepted a position at the University of Miami School of Medicine providing forensic services on issues primarily involving children/adolescents/families. Dr. Castro recently completed a two-year clinical fellowship in pediatric forensic psychology at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School.

Alumnus Justin Rigsbee returns as honor graduate from Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

2008-10-10T13:24:00.001-07:00

Justin Rigsbee, a former doctoral student and postdoctoral resident of Nova Southeastern University’s Center for Psychological Studies, recently returned as an honor graduate from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Glynco, Georgia. Dr. Rigsbee completed his training at FLETC in conjunction with his employment as a staff psychologist at the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Beaumont, Texas. In order to graduate with honors, Dr. Rigsbee was required to qualify on three different firearms (nine millimeter, shotgun, and M-16 rifle), excel in academia, demonstrate proficiency with various restraints, self-defense techniques, and exhibit professionalism within a correctional environment. Dr. Rigsbee’s current duties include providing brief intervention to incarcerated offenders, conducting intake screenings, suicide risk assessments, protective custody screenings, group treatment, and providing consultation to various departments at the FCC. Congratulations!

Alumnus Brian Freedman accepts position at Kennedy Krieger's Center for Autism and Related Disorders

2008-10-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

Brian Freedman, Ph.D., (2006) has accepted a position at Kennedy Krieger’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders, at the Kennedy Krieger Institute.. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, the Kennedy Krieger Institute is a multi-faceted, multidisciplinary program for children with autism spectrum disorders.

Alumna Melissa Brymer appointed Director of the Child Trauma Program at University of California

2008-10-10T13:22:00.003-07:00

Center for Psychological Studies Alumna Melissa Brymer, Ph.D/Psy.D.has been appointed Director of the Child Trauma Program at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Alumnus Luis Bedregal appointed assistant professor at Yale University

2008-10-10T13:22:00.001-07:00

Center for Psychological Studies Alumnus Luis Bedregal (Ph,.D. 2002) has received an appointment as assistant professor at the Yale University Connecticut Mental Health Center (CMHC). The CMHC is a collaborative endeavor of the Yale University Department of Psychiatry and the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

CPS Alumnus to Present at Annual Convention of the Autism Society of America

2008-10-10T12:18:00.000-07:00

The Autism Society of America (ASA) has accepted a paper for presentation by CPS Alumnus Brian Freedman (Ph.D. 2006) and Dr. Robert Turner. The paper entitled: A Multidimensional Parent Support for an Autism Program. The Parent Coaching Model will be presented at the ASA’s 38th National conference in Scottsdale, Arizona in July 2007. Drs. Freedman and Turner are currently Postdoctoral Residents at NSU.

Blues and Bubbly- Alumni Event

2008-10-10T11:48:00.000-07:00

Charles Morin, Ph.D. (1986) was honored at the recent NSU Celebration of Excellence as the Center for Psychological Studies’ 2007 Alumnus of the Year.

Dr. Morin is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Sleep Disorders Center at the Univeristé Laval in Quebec City where he joined the faculty in 1994. He holds a Canada Research Chair on Sleep Disorders and is past President of the Canadian Sleep Society. From 1986 to 1994 he served on the faculty of the Medical College of Virginia and headed the Insomnia Treatment Program.

A Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine, he has been conducting clinical research and treating sleep disorders patients for the past 20 years. His research program on insomnia is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health and by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research He is Associate Editor for the journals Sleep and Behavioral Sleep Medicine. He has published four books and over 100 articles and book chapters. His main contributions have been in the development and validation of therapeutic approaches for chronic insomnia. He has received a Distinguished Scientific Award for an early career contribution to psychology (1994, American Psychological Association), and two awards for an exceptional career contribution to psychology (2004; Ordre des Psychologues du Québec; 2006, Société Québécoise pour la Recherche en Psychologie).