Monthly archive: April 2017

Thirteen Richmont-affiliated researchers, including faculty and students alike, presented at three prestigious national conferences this spring: the American Psychological Association, the American Counseling Association, and the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Research conducted by Richmont faculty and students is already well respected in the mental health field; however, as an increasing number of acceptances are awarded to Richmont researchers, our commitment to making advancements in the discipline is becoming more widely known.

Dr. Timothy Sisemore, Director of Research, delivered the keynote address at the American Psychological Association (APA) Division 36 (Society for Psychology of Religion and Spirituality) National Midyear Conference on April 7-8. His work was entitled, “Having Faith Versus Studying Faith: On Being a Christian in the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.”

The 2017 International Conference for the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) was held March 30-April 1 in Chicago, Illinois. The theme for the year was “Breaking Barriers: Poverty, Race, Culture, and Ethnicity” and featured a plethora of Richmont research. In a preconference workshop, Dr. Timothy Sisemore led an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) training for Christian counselors, entitled “‘I’m Not Broken, Just Stuck’: A Christian Translation and Application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.” During the conference, Lisa Haselwander and Dr. Sisemore presented “The Impact of Parenting Style on an Individual’s Understanding of Grace and Attachment to God.” Dr. Doug Rosenau and Dr. Vanessa Snyder presented “Sexual Intimacy and the Myers-Briggs: 16 Ways to Love Your Lover.” Dr. Jama White and Dr. Amanda Blackburn, working with Dr. Steve Stratton, conducted an experiential workshop on Centering Prayer. Finally, Dr. Sisemore and Dr. Cook, of Huntington University, presented “Current and Future Trends in Clinical Training: Implications and Possibilities for Christian Clinicians.”

At the national conference of the American Counseling Association March 16-19 in San Francisco, Courtney Edwards and Dr. Lorrie Slater presented “Religious Orientation as a Predictor of Comfort with Homosexuality in the Church.” Dr. Mary Plisco gave an educational session on emetophobia, the fear of vomiting, in youth. Two additional posters were presented: “Mindfulness as an Intervention to Excessive Pornography Use” by Natalia Dias, Rebecca Lanier, and Morgan Wilkinson; and “Sexual Compulsivity and Attachment Patterns” by Natalia Dias, Dr. Vanessa Snyder, and Christine Baker.

We are so proud of all of the scholarship that originates within our university. Congratulations to these wonderful researchers and writers!

We are so grateful for God’s many blessings on our university this year. We are especially pleased to announce the following important staff additions and updates:

• New Co-Directors of Henegar Counseling Center and the Richmont Trauma Centers: Dr. Bill McGee and Pauline McLemore. We are so grateful for Dr. Jeff Eckert’s leadership in this role the past several years. He has been an insightful and compassionate director with whom staff and clients alike have thoroughly enjoyed working. While we will miss him, we are thrilled with him for his new venture in private practice with his wife, Dr. Kim Eckert. He will remain affiliated with Richmont as an adjunct professor. Upon Jeff’s transition, Bill and Pauline will assume their new roles. The strengths these two clinicians bring to the table are exciting, and we anticipate the centers flourishing under their direction.
• New Director of Development: Kelly King-Lindstedt. Kelly’s résumé is impressive, including oversight and coordination of fundraising efforts for Adventure in Missions and a United States Congressman. As Director of Development, based in Atlanta, Kelly will figure prominently in expanding Richmont’s donor base and creating opportunities for us to secure the funds we need to strengthen our current programming and take on new challenges for those we serve.
• New Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of the School of Counseling (MFT): Dr. Cara Cochran. Cara, a familiar face at Richmont, is now overseeing our MFT program from the Chattanooga campus. She is no stranger to Richmont or to administration, having served in prestigious posts both here and at Tennessee Temple University (which has since merged with Piedmont International University). Cara has been with us as a part-time faculty member this year, and we are excited that she will be with us full-time in the fall.
• New Assistant Professor: Dr. Tyler Rogers. This fall, Tyler will begin full-time work with us as an Assistant Professor on the Chattanooga campus. Tyler’s degree in MFT is from Reformed Theological Seminary, and he graduated from the University of Mississippi in 2013 with a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision.

What a great time in the life of Richmont; we have so much to be thankful for. Thank you for all you do as we continue forward in our mission. We could not be more excited for the future of Richmont!