About the Psychologists
Meet our resident clinical psychologists, waiting to answer your questions about all areas of psychology. Just click to ask a question!
Current Ask the Psychologist Faculty
Susan Berel, PhD
A clinical psychologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr Berel received her PhD from Washington State University and completed a predoctoral internship at the University of Chicago Medical center. Dr. Berel also completed postdoctoral fellowships at the Atlanta VA Medical Center and at Northside Hospital.
Dr Berel currently works with adults as well as adolescents with anxiety, depression, and relationship problems. She also treats individuals struggling with anorexia, bulimia, and obesity, and has several publications in these areas. Dr Berel enjoys working with couples, including those involving alcohol addiction. Her approach with clients is one that tends to deemphasize psychological problems as illnesses. Although recognizing that certain problems have a biological basis, she assumes that people develop various ways of being in the world based on their lived experience.
When not working, Dr Berel enjoys spending time with her family. As the mother of young children, she recognizes the challenges associated with balancing work life and childrearing. She relates this personal perspective with clients who may be dealing with parenting-related stresses. She enjoys working with clients to develop more fulfilling relationships and helps them challenge limiting belief systems with the goal of restoring emotional health and well-being.
Dr Berel joined CounsellingResource.com in 2010 as a contributor to Ask the Psychologist.
Shailagh Clarke, PhD
A licensed psychologist in the states of Texas and Oregon, Dr Clarke earned a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of North Texas. She completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship specializing in ADHD and disruptive behavior disorders in children at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Currently in private practice in Salem, Oregon, Dr Clarke has worked in a variety of settings including community mental health agencies, hospitals, and pediatric primary care practices. Prior to private practice, she was a staff psychologist at Oregon State University’s Counseling and Psychological Services. Dr Clarke works with both children and adults on a broad range of issues, including depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and ADHD. She especially enjoys working with families with preschool and school-aged children to improve sleep, behavior, and parent-child relationships.
Jennifer Harned Adams, PhD
A Research Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Denver and a licensed psychologist in private practice, Dr Jennifer Harned Adams received her PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Houston. She completed an additional three years of post-doctoral training in psychosocial oncology and reproductive health at the University of Texas.
She was a therapist for the Kempe Center Post-Partum Depression Intervention Program and is a professional member of Postpartum Support International, Resolve and The American Society of Reproductive Medicine.
Dr Jennifer Harned Adams joined CounsellingResource.com as a contributor to Ask the Psychologist. You can learn more about her at www.jenniferharnedadamsphd.com.
Misty Hook, PhD
A licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in Texas, Dr Misty Hook received her PhD in counseling psychology from Ball State University. She was a professor of counseling psychology at Texas Woman’s University for five years, where she taught classes in counseling, family psychology, social psychology, the psychology of mothering and gender issues. Dr Hook also served as an adjunct professor for Southern Methodist University, where she taught courses in gender issues and family therapy for their counseling program.
Dr Hook currently counsels people of all ages. Her areas of specialization include families, couples, gender issues and giftedness, and she has several publications in these areas. She particularly enjoys linking psychological analysis to popular culture and has contributed to several The Psychology of… anthologies on series ranging from Harry Potter and The Simpsons to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. (See www.smartpopbooks.com.)
Dr Hook joined CounsellingResource.com as a contributor to Ask the Psychologist and the site blog Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life in 2011. You can learn more about her at www.instituteforhealthyrelationships.com.
Jennifer Ritchie-Goodline, PsyD
Dr Ritchie-Goodline is a licensed clinical psychologist in independent practice in Centennial, Colorado with over fifteen years of experience in the mental health field. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Denver in 2000. Dr Ritchie-Goodline provides individual, family, and couples psychotherapy services. She has a wide range of clinical experience and possesses a specific clinical and research interest in women’s issues, particularly women’s health and treatment concerns, and has participated in various related professional activities. She specializes in the following areas: relationship issues, women’s issues, adolescent issues, health psychology, emotional growth and development, pain management, parenting concerns, depression, anxiety and stress, trauma, and self-esteem. She also serves as an Expert Advisor to the Endometriosis Research Center, as a member of the ERC’s Medical and Professional Advisory Panel.
Dr Ritchie-Goodline joined CounsellingResource.com in 2011 as a contributor to Ask the Psychologist. For more information, visit her website at www.drjenniferritchiegoodline.com.
Sarah Walker, PhD
Dr Sarah Walker is a Licensed Psychologist in private practice in Austin, Texas and teaches at St. Edward’s University in their Master’s in Counseling (MAC) program. She has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA and PhD from The University of Texas at Austin. She completed her clinical internship at The University of Illinois at Chicago and her post-doc at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research publications focus on gender dynamics and sexuality, sexual coercion and abuse.
Sarah’s therapy practice focuses on how symptoms of anxiety and depression become relationship problems — and vice versa. She helps individuals get “un-stuck” from their symptoms, and aids couples in reviving their communication and connection. She also enjoys working with adults in transition — moving from student to professional, recovering from a break-up or divorce, launching a new career, or transcending from victim to survivor. Sarah sees life changes as opportunities for growth and improved self-esteem.
Sarah’s work is informed by her own life transitions — from small town girl to big-city professional, from advocate to psychologist, from Yankee to Texan. When not counseling or writing, Sarah enjoys time with her family, running with her dog, and somewhat hapless (but enjoyable) attempts at art and photography. She is an avid sports fan whose “home team” is anywhere she’s ever lived.
Dr Walker joined CounsellingResource.com in 2011 as a contributor to Ask the Psychologist. For more information, visit her website at www.drsarahwalker.com.
Ask the Psychologist Faculty Emeriti
Jim Bierman, PhD
Currently in private practice in Palm Springs, California, Dr Bierman is a licensed clinical psychologist with fifteen years clinical experience. Author of Of Sound Mind to Marry [Amazon-US | Amazon-UK], Jim received his PhD from the California Graduate Institute in Los Angeles and postdoctoral training at the University of Washington School of Medicine. As a certified parent evaluator, he makes recommendations to the Court for residential placement of children in high-conflict child custody cases. As an expert in divorce, Jim advocates for preparing for marriage thoughtfully, without losing the passion, in order to prevent divorce and help couples make love last.
Having counseled couples at all stages of pre-marriage, marriage, and divorce, Jim has always been impressed by how much good can come from an effective and early intervention, and how much harm can come from missed opportunities. After years of clinical practice, he strongly believes that premarital counseling is the first best opportunity to improve the quality of life of the individuals, the couple, and their children.
Dr Bierman joined CounsellingResource.com in 2010 as a contributor to Ask the Psychologist.
Joseph M. Carver, PhD
Consulting Clinical Psychologist Dr Joseph M. Carver lives in southern Ohio, USA. His career as a psychologist, spanning over three decades, has included work in psychiatric and medical hospitals, community mental health centers, and private practice. He also provides expert witness testimony for a US government agency and has taught both undergraduates and graduate students at Ohio University.
In private practice, his activities include individual therapy, employee assistance services, psychological evaluation, and professional consultation. He works with children and adults and specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, emotional trauma, and relationship issues.
Having appeared on radio and in newspapers like The New York Times, Dr Carver is well known for his articles about ‘losers’ in relationships and about Stockholm Syndrome, as well as for his work on parenting, depression, PTSD, and other areas.
Dr Carver joined CounsellingResource.com in 2007 as Consulting Clinical Psychologist and also wrote for the Ask the Psychologist column from 2007 until 2009.
Alisa Robinson, PhD
Dr Robinson received her PhD from the University of Southern California and works as a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of California. Working with individuals across the lifespan — from teenagers to adults and the elderly — she provides individual therapy and family therapy and facilitates groups on emotional health, anxiety management and mindfulness. Alisa is also an adjunct professor at Argosy University, where she teaches courses in Clinical Psychopharmacology, Diagnosis and Treatment, Domestic Violence, Human Growth and Development, Substance Abuse Counseling and Addictions. Alisa is excited to apply her skills to help people understand the relevance of psychology research and practice to their lives. She enjoys speaking on psychology-related topics in a question and answer format and is available to address mental health issues through media appearances.
Dr Robinson joined CounsellingResource.com in 2010 as a contributor to our Ask the Psychologist column.
George Simon, PhD
Dr Simon received his PhD in Clinical Psychology from Texas Tech University. He has spent much of the last 25 years gathering information about, and working with manipulators, other disturbed characters and their victims. His book, In Sheep's Clothing [Amazon-US | Amazon-UK], has been a five-star rated bestseller for nearly 13 years, is published in several foreign languages, and is regarded by many as the definitive work on manipulative characters.
A sought-after speaker who has conducted over 250 workshops and instructional seminars across the country, Dr Simon has consulted with business organizations and civic institutions about disordered personalities and has appeared on national television networks such as CNN and Fox News Network, as well as numerous regional TV and radio talk shows.
Dr Simon joined the site in 2008 as a member of our International Advisory Board and regular contributor to the main CounsellingResource.com blog, Psychology, Philosophy and Real Life. From 2009 thru late 2010, he was also lead contributor for the Ask the Psychologist column.
Cynthia Giocomarra, PsyD
Dr Cynthia Giocomarra holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, with a minor in Women’s Studies. An alumnus of UCLA, she also involves herself with several organizations concerned with the welfare of humanity, including Psychologists for Social Responsibility; the Association for Humanistic Psychology; and the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors and Therapists.
With over fifteen years experience in counseling, coaching and consulting, Dr Giocomarra is particularly passionate about online therapy. She has been engaged in online counseling and coaching since 1999.
Dr Giocomarra joined CounsellingResource.com in 2010 as a contributor to our Ask the Psychologist column.
Virginia S. Wood, PsyD
With a background in both Community Counseling and Clinical Psychology, Dr Wood devotes most of her clinical hours to working with older adolescents and adults who have experienced trauma in childhood. A graduate of Guilford College, Georgia State University, and the Georgia School of Professional Psychology, she has helped individuals deal with the impact of child abuse and neglect, disability, and alcoholism for over thirty years.
Dr Wood has been in private practice since the mid-eighties; she joined CounsellingResource.com in 2010 as a regular contributor to our Ask the Psychologist column.
