JOAN DELORES ATWOOD, Ph

JOAN DELORES ATWOOD, Ph.D.

Professor

Department of Health Professions and Family Studies

MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY

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B.A. Psychology SUNY at Stony Brook (1973)

M.A. Psychology SUNY at Stony Brook (1975)

M.A. Sociology SUNY at Stony Brook (1977)

Ph.D. Social Psychology SUNY at Stony Brook (1981)

M.S.W. Social Work Adelphi University (1984)

Joan D. Atwood, Ph.D. is the Director of the Graduate Programs in Marriage and Family Therapy at Hofstra University. Dr. Atwood is also the Director of the Marriage and Family Clinic located in the Saltzman Community Center at Hofstra.

Dr. Atwood received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree from S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook with a concentration in Psychology in 1973 and 1975 respectively. In 1977, she received a second Masters Degree from the same institution with a concentration in Sociology. She received her Doctorate in Social Psychology from the S.U.N.Y at Stony Brook in 1981. She then received her third Master’s Degree from Adelphi University in 1984, with a concentration in Social Work.

In addition, she has obtained post doctoral training in Couples Therapy from Dr. Harville Hendrix and is a certified Imago therapist. She additionally received post doctoral training in Structural Family Therapy from Salvador Minuchin, M.D.

She has published 8 books and over 100 journal articles in the field of Marriage and Family Therapy.

Dr. Atwood is the past President of the New York State Association for Marriage and Family Therapists and was awarded the Long Island Family Therapist of the Year award for outstanding contributions to the field. She teaches courses in Couples Therapy, Family Therapy, Gender Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy, Sexual Issues in Marriage and Family Therapy, Families in Transition, Social Construction Theory and Therapy, Supervision and Advanced Supervision.

She has published numerous journal articles on Social Construction Theory and Therapy, Families in Transition, Human Sexuality Issues, and Family Health Issues. Dr. Atwood is a Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor of AAMFT; she serves on the Editorial Board of many journals in the field; she holds Diplomate Status and is a Clinical Supervisor on the American Board of Sexology; she has been elected to the National Academy of Social Workers; she is a Certified Imago Therapist; and she has served on the President's Commission for Domestic Policy.

Among her many projects, Dr. Atwood is the co-founder and co-developer of the P.E.A.C.E. Program (Parent Education and Custody Effectiveness) (with Andrew Schepard and Steve Schlissel), a court based educational program for parents obtaining a divorce. This program is an interdisciplinary, court-affiliated education program for parents to help them reduce the difficulties their children experience during divorce and separation. P.E.A.C.E. has produced an award winning video for parents and has been recognized by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts for its "ongoing contribution to improving the lives of parents and children."

Dr. Atwood is also the founder and developer of the L.I.F.E. Program (Looking Into Feelings and Emotions), a school-based K-12 curriculum which helps children learn to express feelings and emotions. Dr. Atwood has made numerous TV appearances and Radio and Newspaper interviews. She is the Director of L.I.F.T., the Long Island Family Therapists and in private practice in Rockville Centre, New York, specializing in Individual, Couple and Family Therapy.

VITAE:

BOOKS:

Some of her books include:

Atwood, Joan D. (Fall, 1997). Challenging Family Therapy Situations: A Social Constructionist Perspective. New York: Springer-Verlag.

Atwood, Joan D. (1996). Family Scripts. Chicago:Taylor Francis, Inc.

Atwood, Joan D. and Genovese, Frank. (1993). Counseling Single Parents.VA:ACA.

Atwood, Joan D. (1992). Family Therapy: A Systemic Behavioral Approach. Chicago: Nelson-Hall, Inc.

Atwood, J. and Chester, R.(1987). Treatment Techniques for Common Mental Disorders. Englewood, New Jersey: Jason Aronson, Inc.

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RESEARCH INTERESTS:

Her current research interests include: Couples and Finances, Social Construction Theory and Therapy and Family Therapy and Chronic Illness.

COURSES: