Assistant Professor
Phone: 541-552-6945
Office: EP 230
Email: robertsod@sou.edu
In a change of career in the second half of life, I returned to the academic setting in order to pursue my love of learning and of mentoring others, to acquire new knowledge and to develop new skills in a continuing journey of personal growth. Human behavior is a fascinating subject in which there is always more to discover and to understand. The human psyche can amaze and bewilder us – never more so than in the process of guiding others to healing and wellness. I am a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and teacher/guide to counselors-in-training and students of psychology.
Degrees and Institutions:
PhD In Counselor Education, Oregon State University (in progress)
Masters in Mental Health Counseling, Southern Oregon University
Bachelors in Psychology, Southern Oregon University
Courses taught:
Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program:
Counseling Theories, Advanced Psychopathology, Mental Health Profession, Practicum and Internship supervision
Undergraduate program:
Abnormal Psychology, Personality, Introduction to Helping Skills
Selected publications/presentations/other professional accomplishments:
Licensed Professional Counselor, Oregon
President, Oregon Counseling Association (ORCA), 2012-13
Presidential Fellow, Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors (ACES), 2013
“A Multidimensional Model of a Holistic View of Clients in Counseling” – Association of Humanistic Counselors (AHC) conference, 2015
Why did you choose to study Psychology? Your subfield within Psychology?
After a career in the technology sector, I decided to pursue my love of learning and became fascinated with understanding the science of human behavior. My particular focus is on psychopathology and psychotherapy.
Why did you become a professor?
Alongside helping others (through counseling), I enjoy mentoring others in their own journey of learning. It has been said that we teach what we most need to learn, and I find the process of teaching others to be one of continuous personal learning.
What can a student in your class expect (teaching style and approaches)?
My classes are relatively informal in style, with an emphasis on critical thinking and challenging norms, through mining information, collaborative work, and lively discussion. I balance academic learning with sharing field experience as a practicing counselor.
What are some of your interests outside of psychology? In what ways are you involved in the campus and/or rogue valley community?
I continue to be engaged through professional associations in furthering the standing of the counseling profession. When not working, my greatest pleasure is becoming immersed in nature – walking/hiking and camping with my canine companion.
