Department of Psychology

Clinical Psychology Faculty

CORE CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY FACULTY

All core clinical faculty members teach in the doctoral program in clinical psychology; however, not all serve as both research advisors and clinical supervisors.  The clinical faculty members available as research mentors are  White, Vandenberg, Taylor, Steffen, Peterson, Galovski, and Bruce.  Applicants should be sure to include their preferences for a specific research mentor as part of their required personal statement. 

 Kamila White, Ph.D. Dr. White has research interests in three interrelated domains 1) prevention and treatment of anxiety pathology, 2) the relationship between anxiety pathology and physical health (especially pain conditions), and 3) investigation of new methods of assessing and treating anxiety and panic in medical settings.  Her clinical interests are in the area of anxiety, panic disorder, and behavioral medicine; she is primarily cognitive-behavioral in her clinical orientation.  Dr. White serves both as a research advisor and a clinical supervisor.

Brian R. Vandenberg, Ph.D.  Dr. Vandenberg's research focuses on issues in psychology and religion, with an emphasis on the differentiation of psychopathology from culturally-defined religious beliefs.  He functions as a research advisor but not a clinical supervisor.

Matthew Taylor, Ph.D., Dr. Taylor’s research program focuses on the role of culture in mental health.  His primary research focus is on multiracial identity development and the role of culturally-rooted notions of personhood on these processes.  An additional research interest relates to predictors and outcomes of alcohol and drug use among ethnic minority adolescents and communities.  He teaches the required course in Multicultural Issues in Clinical Psychology, and serves as a research advisor but not a clinical supervisor.

Ann Steffen, Ph.D.  Dr. Steffen is the Director of Clinical Training.  Her research interests are in the area of mental health and aging, especially development and evaluation of interventions for dementia family caregivers, and issues related to successful aging in place.  Her clinical orientation is cognitive-behavioral, and Dr. Steffen functions both as a research advisor and a clinical supervisor.

Zoe Peterson, Ph.D. Dr. Peterson’s research focuses on topics in sexuality, including sexual decision-making, sexual coercion, acquaintance rape, and women’s sexual health and functioning. Her clinical orientation is a blend of narrative and behavioral approaches. Dr. Peterson serves as both a research advisor and a clinical supervisor. 

Robert Harris, Ph.D.  Dr. Harris is the Director of the Community Psychology Service.  His clinical specialization is children, adolescents, families, and psychological assessment.  His clinical orientation is a blend of cognitive-behavioral and psychodynamic perspectives.  Dr. Harris is a clinical supervisor but not a research supervisor.

Tara Galovski, Ph.D. Dr. Galovski’s research program is located within the Center for Trauma recovery and is  focused on the development and testing of Cognitive Processing Therapy within survivors of interpersonal assault. Her research interests also include studying the presentation and expression of anger (currently within the context of traumatic stress) and health-related consequences of stress and anxiety. Dr. Galovski’s clinical orientation is cognitive-behavioral, and she functions both as a research advisor and a clinical supervisor.

Steven Bruce, Ph.D. Dr. Bruce’s research program is located within the Center for Trauma Recovery. His research interests and clinical specializations include the treatment of affective disorders (anxiety, depression), post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal behaviors. His clinical orientation is cognitive-behavioral, and Dr. Bruce functions both as a research advisor and a clinical supervisor.