Research
I am interested in understanding aggression in family and romantic relationships across the lifespan. Currently I am exploring developmental and contextual risk and protective factors for physical partner violence towards an understanding of the trajectory of aggression from adolescence through adulthood. I am also interested in community-level interventions for the prevention of family violence. During the 2011-2012 academic year, I am a predoctoral research fellow with the University of Oregon’s Child and Family Center. Visit my projects page for more information.
Research Experience
Through my work as a research assistant with the Relationship Research Institute, I provided behavioral SPAFF coding and assisted with a randomized clinical trial of a couples group intervention for low-income couples experiencing relationship aggression. With the Oregon Social Learning Center I contributed to a systematic literature review of partner aggression risk factor research. During my Master’s work in Couples & Family Therapy at the University of Oregon, I conducted qualitative research into same-gender couples relationship satisfaction. In the fall of 2010, I began doctoral studies in Counseling Psychology at the University of Oregon.
Clinical
Concurrent to my research pursuits, I continue to develop my clinical skills specializing with families with adolescents, same-gender couples and gender identity concerns. Since 2000, I have worked in wilderness therapy, residential treatment, outpatient clinics and private practice. I earned a Masters in Couples and Family Therapy from the University of Oregon in 2005 and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the State of Washington in 2009.
Personal
Outside of my professional life, I am passionate about road cycling, hot yoga, social justice, Open Access publishing, and bike-friendly communities. My partner and I live in Eugene, Oregon, with our four pets.