M.A. in Counseling Psychology
Faculty
Leonard A. Doerfler
Director of the Counseling Psychology Program
Director of the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies
Professor of Psychology, 1989
Fellow, Academy of Cognitive Therapy
B.S., University of Pittsburgh
M.A., Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia, 1982
Phone: (508) 767-7549, Office: Kennedy 133
doerfler@assumption.edu
Dr. Doerfler’s clinical and research interests include cognitive-behavioral and interpersonal models of mood disorders, predictors of psychiatric hospitalization, psychotherapy outcome assessment, psychosocial adjustment to life-threatening illness, and assessment of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in heart attack survivors. Dr Doerfler is Director of the Counseling Psychology Program’s Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cognitive Studies. In addition, he is Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Dr. Doerfler is a clinical psychologist.
Paula Fitzpatrick
Associate Professor of Psychology, 1996
B.A., Ph.D., University of Connecticut, 1993
Phone: (508) 767-7550, Office: Kennedy 138
pfitzpat@assumption.edu
Dr. Fitzpatrick’s research focuses on understanding the function of perception and cognition in movement, the acquisition of new skills, and becoming proficient in performing these skills. Her current research investigates the role of touch in using hand-held tools, the perceptual and cognitive principals that foster the development of manual skills, and the kinds of movement control strategies that reduce cognitive effort in the production of skilled manual actions. Dr. Fitzpatrick is an experimental psychologist.
Maria D. Kalpidou
Assistant Professor of Psychology, 1998
B.A., Aristotle University (Thessalonki, Greece),
M.A., Tufts University,
Ph.D., Louisiana State University, 1997
Phone: (508) 767-7294, Office: Kennedy 137
mkalpido@assumption.edu
Dr. Kalpidou’s interests focus on socio-emotional development of young children. Her work examines the co-regulation of aversive behaviors in the mother-child interactions, the relationship of behavioral and emotional self-regulation in preschool age children, and psychosocial adjustment in immigrant children. Dr Kalpidou is a development psychologist.
Regina Kuersten-Hogan
Assistant Professor of Psychology, 2007
B.A., University of Massachusetts at Boston, 1991
M.A., Ph.D., Clark University, 1998
Phone: (508) 767-7587, Office: Kennedy 145
kuersten@assumption.edu
Dr. Kuersten-Hogan’s research interests include family dynamics, especially emotion expression and coparenting interactions in families, and their role in children's early cognitive and emotional development. Her current research focuses on couples' experiences with their transition to parenthood and family adjustment in the first year of infants' life. Dr. Kuersten-Hogan is also interested in developing therapeutic tools to help implement cognitive-behavioral interventions with children. In addition, Dr. Kuersten-Hogan works with children and families in a private practice in West Boylston. Dr. Kuersten-Hogan is a clinical psychologist.
Edmund F. O’Reilly
Coordinator of the Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies Concentration
Associate Professor of Psychology, 1975
A.B., Boston University,
M.A., Kent State College,
Ph.D., State University of New York at Albany, 1971
Phone: (508) 767-7554, Office: Kennedy 134
eoreilly@assumption.edu
Dr. O’Reilly’s clinical and research interests center on how the social variables of self-disclosure and apology affect forgiveness. He is currently investigating the gravity of various personal offenses within the contexts of discovery versus disclosure. These are construed as contextual factors that may influence apology and forgiveness. Dr. O’Reilly is a clinical psychologist and is Coordinator of the Counseling Psychology Program’s Concentration in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies.
Peter F. Toscano, Jr.
Coordinator of the Child and Family Intervention Concentration
Practicum and Internship Program Coordinator
Associate Professor of Psychology, 1976
A.B., Clark University,
Ph.D., State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1976
Phone: (508) 767-7460, Office: Kennedy 124
ptoscano@assumption.edu
Dr. Toscano’s clinical and research interests include adoption issues in children and adolescents, child maltreatment, and development psychopathology. He is a clinical psychologist and Coordinator of the Counseling Psychology Program’s Practicum and Internship Program and the Concentration in Child and Family Interventions. He is also Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and the Director of Child and Adolescent Services in the Ambulatory Psychiatry Clinic at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.
Lecturers
Laurie Costigan
Psychology (2009)
B.A., M.A., Assumption College
Psy.D., Antioch University New England, 2006.
Dr Costigan's clinical interest include assessment and treatment of adults, adolescents, and children. She oversees a domestic violence program, providing staffing training and supervision of a domestic violence counselor. She is a clinical psychologist. Dr Costigan coordinates the Domestic Violence Program at Great Brook Valley Health Center, where she is a psychotherapist.
Hanya Bluestone
Psychology (2006)
A.B., Harvard University
M.A., Ph.D., California School of Professional Psychology–Fresno, 1995.
Dr. Bluestone is a forensic psychologist for the Department of Mental Health. She works in the Adult Court Clinic at the Worcester Trial Court. Dr. Bluestone also serves as a mental health consultant to the Worcester County Jail and maintains a small private practice in Spencer, MA. Over the course of her career, Dr. Bluestone has worked in residential treatment programs for children, correctional settings, inpatient psychiatric units, and outpatient clinics. Her areas of interest include Dialectical Behavior Therapy, suicide prevention, women’s issues, clinical supervision, and treatment of Bipolar Disorder.
George D. Bozicas
Psychology (1989)
B.S., Fitchburg State College
M.A., Assumption College
Ph.D., University of Rhode Island, 1986.
Dr. Bozicas’ clinical interests include family of origin issues in individual psychotherapy, treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children, adolescents, and adults, and marital and couples therapy. He is a clinical psychologist who is a member of a private mental health group practice.
Dana Kennedy
Psychology (2009)
B.A., DePauw University
MSW, Boston University School of Social Work, 1975.
Professor Kennedy's clinical interests include assessment and treatment of children and adolescents who have psychological problems. She specializes in the assessment and treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. She is Assistant Clinical Director of Ellsworth Child and Family Counseling Center of Children's Friend, Inc.
Brenda King
Psychology (1992)
B.A., Assumption College
Psy.D., Antioch University, 2007.
Dr. King's clinical interest include consultation with primary care physicians and nurse practitioners regarding geriatric patients who have mental health problems. She is a clinical psychologist. Dr. King is the Director of the Geriatric Psychiatry Consultation Project at the UMass Memorial Health Care System.
Peter W. Moran
Psychology (1992)
B.A., Assumption College
M.A., State University of New York, Plattsburg
Ph.D., Brigham Young University, 1982.
Dr. Moran’s clinical interests include cognitive-behavioral treatment of anxiety and mood disorders, psychotherapy outcome assessment, and managed care issues in clinical practice. He is a clinical psychologist at the Center for Psychiatry at St. Vincent Hospital, Clinical Director for Prescott Health Care, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.
Kevin R. Murphy
Psychology (2002)
B.A., Boston College
M.S.; Florida State University
Ph.D., University of Connecticut, 1990.
Dr. Murphy’s clinical interests focus on the assessment and treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents and adults. He is a clinical psychologist in private practice.
Paul M. Rosen
Psychology (1989)
B.A., University of Massachusetts
M.A., University of Denver
Ph.D., University of Denver, 1977.
Dr. Rosen’s clinical interests include self-mutilation in children and adolescents and severe psychopathology in adolescents. He is a clinical psychologist and Clinical Director of Educational Support Programs at the Central Massachusetts Special Education Collaborative.
Michael S. Sefton
Psychology (2009)
B.A., University of Southern Maine
M.A., Anna Maria College
Psy.D., United States International University, 1986.
Dr. Sefton's clinical interests include neuropsychological assessment and educational consultation to schools and parents. In addition, he is interested in providing professional development in the area of behavior management, specific learning disability, and concussion in student athletes. He is a clinical psychologist. Dr. Sefton works in the the Northbridge Public Schools as a school psychologist.
Mindy S. Sefton
Psychology (2009)
B.A., California State University, Northridge
M.A., Psy.D., United States International University, 1989
Dr. Sefton's clinical interests include psychological and neuropsychological testing, and consultation with classroom teachers and parents regarding behavior management of children's school-related problems. She is a clinical psychologist. Dr. Sefton works in the Shrewsbury Public School as a school psychologist.
Amy B. Wachholtz
Psychology (2009)
B.A., DePauw University
M.Div., Boston University School of Theology
M.A., Ph.D., Bowling Green University, 2006.
Dr. Wachholtz's clinical interests include behavioral medicine and the psychology of religion. She is a clinical psychologist. Dr. Wachholtz is Assistant Professor of Psychiarty at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and health psychologist at the UMass Memorial Health Care System.
John D. Weagraff, Jr.
Psychology (1995)
B.A., M.A., Pennsylvania State University;
M.Div., Andover Newton Theological School
Ph.D., Boston College
Psy.D., Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, 1995.
Dr. Weagraff’s clinical interests include ethical and professional issues in counseling and psychotherapy. He is a clinical psychologist and also a minister; Dr. Weagraff works in the Department of Pastoral Care Services at Westboro State Hospital.