Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Skills

About Alan M. SchwitzerAmber L. PopeLawrence C. Rubin

Alan M. Schwitzer, PhD, is a Licensed Psychologist and Professor of Counseling at Old Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. Schwitzer completed his graduate degrees in Counseling Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University and interned at the University of Texas at Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center. Prior to full-time faculty work, he was the Clinical Director of the Tulane University Counseling and Testing Center and then Assistant Professor and Training Director of the James Madison University Counseling and Student Development Center. Dr. Schwitzer is past editor of the Journal of College Counseling and has chaired the Council of Journal of Editors of the American Counseling Association (ACA). Currently he is a Consulting Editor of the Journal of American College Health and Editorial Board Member of the Journal of College Student Development, and he is on the Board of Contributors of About Campus Magazine, publications of the American College Health Association and American College Personnel Association. Dr. Schwitzer has published over seventy journal, magazine, and newspaper articles primarily examining college and university student adjustment, development, learning, and counseling. He also specializes in teaching diagnosis, case conceptualization, and treatment planning. His previous books include Skills and Tools for Today’s Counselors and Psychotherapists: From Natural Helping to Professional Counseling and Promoting Student Learning and Student Development at a Distance. Among Dr. Schwitzer’s recent awards are the Ralph M. Berdie Memorial Award for Research and Scholarship in the Field of College Student Affairs; the American College Counseling Association’s Meritorious Service Award, and Outstanding Contribution to Professional Knowledge Award; and the American College Personnel Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in College Counseling & Psychological Services, and Commission Research Award. Woody serves on the Virginia psychologists’ state legislative committee and maintains a private practice focusing on consultation, training, and continuing education. He lives on the Lafayette River with his wife, dog, and cat. Amber L. Pope, PhD, LPC, LMHC, CCTP is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where she leads the Couple, Marriage, and Family Counseling Area. She earned her graduate degrees in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Currently, she serves on the editorial boards for the Journal of LGBTQ Issues in Counseling and the Journal of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness. Additionally, she is the Research and Scholarship Committee Chair for the Association of Counseling Sexology and Sexual Wellness and the Supervision Representative for the Virginia Association of Counselor Education and Supervision. The Southern Association for Counselor Education recognized her as an Emerging Leader. Dr. Pope’s research interests focus on culturally responsive counselor education and supervision, primarily improving training in LGBTQ+ affirmative counseling and sexuality counseling. Her books include Sexuality Counseling: Theory, Research, and Practice and the forthcoming coedited text, LGBTQ Affirmative Counseling: An Evidence-Based Guide for Students and Practitioners. In addition to her own books, Dr. Pope has contributed to chapters in multiple textbooks and has over twenty peer-reviewed counseling research and practice publications. Dr. Pope is a licensed professional counselor and licensed mental health counselor with certifications in clinical trauma work, telehealth, emotionally focused therapy, and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Her clinical expertise is in couples and family counseling, sexuality counseling, and LGBTQ+ affirming counseling. She lives in Williamsburg, Virginia, with her husband and dog. Lawrence C. Rubin, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S has been, throughout his career, a licensed mental health counselor and registered play therapist and a Professor of Counselor Education at St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, where he directed the Mental Health Counseling Program and was a private practice psychologist, professional counselor, and play therapist. Dr. Rubin is past president of the Florida Association for Play Therapy and chaired the Board of Directors of the Association for Play Therapy. Dr. Rubin’s research interests and publications lie at the intersection of psychology and popular culture. He has been a prolific writer and editor. His book, Psychotropic Drugs and Popular Culture: Medicine, Mental Health and the Media, won the 2006 Ray and Pat Browne Award for Best Anthology. His other books include Food for Thought: Essays on Eating and Culture, Popular Culture in Counseling, Psychotherapy and Play-Based Intervention, Using Superheroes in Counseling and Play Therapy, Messages: Self- Help through Popular Culture, Mental Illness and Popular Media: Essays on the Representation of Psychiatric Disorders, and Play-Based Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Rubin has blogged about popular culture and psychology for Psychology Today magazine and was the Area Chair of the Division of Mental Health, Mental Illness and Popular Culture for the Popular Culture Association. Today, Larry is a retired Professor of Counselor Education from St. Thomas University, a licensed psychologist, and an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Nova Southeastern University. He remains a clinician, educator, and author at the intersection of psychology and popular culture—and is the Editor for Psychotherapy.net. Larry recently relocated to North Carolina. Refusing to go quietly into the night, he wanders the hills and woods of the North Carolina mountains and plays golf … or at least he plays at it! The authors would be glad to hear from you! They can be reached at aschwitz@odu.edu, alpope@wm.edu, and lrubin@stu.edu, respectively.