Contemporary Theory and Practice in Counseling and Psychotherapy (ePub)

Suzanne H. Lease, PhD, is an associate professor and training director of the APA accredited counseling psychology doctoral training program in the department of counseling, educational psychology and research at the University of Memphis in Memphis, TN. She also taught at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. She is co-editor of Volume 2 (Personal Counseling and Mental Health Problems) of the Encyclopedia of Counseling. She has taught graduate courses in counseling theory for 23 years. Lease received her PhD in psychology (counseling) from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and is a licensed psychologist (health service provider) in the state of Tennessee. In addition to theories of counseling, her teaching interests include professional issues in counseling psychology, vocational psychology, practicum supervision, and multicultural counseling. Her research topics address health promotion; masculinity; career development; and gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) issues. Her current research focuses on masculinity and interpersonal competency in relationships with male and female co-workers; masculinity and health promoting/health risk behaviors; stress, work meaning, and health; and career adaptability in student athletes. She received the Dean’s Excellence in Research and Scholarship award from the college of education, the University of Memphis (2006); the Dean’s Excellence in Service award (2013); and the Society of Counseling Psychology Lifetime Mentoring Award (2013). She serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Career Development, Psychology of Men and Masculinity, and is an ad-hoc reviewer for several other journals. She has held leadership positions in the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs (CCPTP) and the Society of Counseling Psychology (Division 17 of the American Psychological Association).

Noelle S. Giffin Wiersma, PhD, is a professor of psychology and dean of the college of arts and sciences at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, where she has been employed for 15 years. In addition to serving as chair of the department of psychology, Dr. Wiersma regularly teaches upper-division undergraduate and master’s-level courses on theories of counseling as well as other clinical courses, including theories of personality, psychopathology, and senior practicum.  She is the two-time recipient of the Most Influential Professor award at Whitworth University. Dr. Wiersma received her PhD in counseling psychology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and a master’s degree in clinical psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her undergraduate degree in psychology and French was awarded by Whitworth College in 1990. Her research interests include secondary trauma, particularly the effects of childhood sexual abuse on adult relationship partners, and factors affecting professional quality of life for various mental health and social service providers. Based on these interests, Dr. Wiersma has established community partnerships with local non-profit social service and law enforcement agencies, providing consultation, support, and in-service training and conducting collaborative survey research. As dean of the college of arts and sciences, Dr. Wiersma has concentrated her efforts on the development of interdisciplinary studies programs and advocacy for liberal arts education. Most recently she has begun teaching a required general education course addressing the social, political, and legal implications of treatment of the mentally ill. As part of her upcoming sabbatical, she will be developing a course entailing off-campus study of serial crime in the Pacific Northwest, focusing on themes of psychopathology, evil, and justice.