As Associate Professor of Psychology, my primary role will be to prepare students
to enter their graduate studies and/or helping professions with a high level of clinical
knowledge as well as to integrate the Christian faith throughout the degree program
to send students into communities ready to work toward familial, communal and societal
restoration. My teaching philosophy leans heavily on my belief that learning, just
like healing, is most productive in and through relationship. My hope is to cultivate
a communal space in and outside of the classroom in order for students and faculty
to grow alongside one another in their faith and professional knowledge.
Biography
I grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas and attended Ouachita Baptist University. I was
raised in a Christian home and spent my summers as a teen and into my twenties doing
mission work overseas, something I believed I would be doing long term. The Lord used
my time in graduate school to show me that the mission field was all around me and
specifically opened my heart to working with foster children and their families. While
working my first job as an acute clinical therapist I met my husband, who had a similar
passion for the work of familial restoration. We moved to Branson, Mo in 2006 where
we began our teaching careers and serving on staff for Focus on the Family’s Hope
Restored marriage intensive program.
I have taught at the collegiate level for 17 years, being given the opportunity to
create new programs focused on systemic healing through the restoration of families
and community. My clinical practice has been a great asset and motivation for my classroom
experience. I have also had the opportunity to study and grow in knowledge and research
around childhood trauma, training with Dr. Bruce Perry to earn a Neurosequential Model
of Therapeutics certification. When not in the classroom or therapy room, I love to
share with fellow educators on the effects of trauma and its implications on learning
and how to cultivate resiliency in and among students. While learning about trauma
and relational health I was introduced to Emotionally Focused Therapy, a model I continue
to study and grow in as a professional. Perhaps my favorite professional activity
is to work and grow alongside my husband, whether doing a co-lecture or co-therapy.
It is exciting to share in the joy that comes when families work toward restorative
health. Dr. Bell and I have four children: Lillie (17), Ruthie (16), Hudson (10) and
Adeline (8). We love to spend time outdoors, in particular playing sports. When we
are not at a sporting event you can find us sneaking away to the beach or spending
time watching movies and playing games.
Q&A
Why did you come to Ouachita?
Ouachita was an incredibly formative time for me as a young person. I am so thankful
for the knowledge and modeling I had in my college years as a student at OBU. When
given the opportunity to return home 25 years after graduating, I saw it as an opportunity
to serve in the same way I had been served years ago.
Why did you decide to become a professor?
My teaching career began when I reluctantly agreed to teach an adjunct course. Those
early years in the classroom taught me so much about myself and about how students
learn and grow. I did not necessarily believe teaching would become a full-time profession;
however, the Lord continues to surprise and bless me with His goodness and grace in
this role. I have found that I feel most in line with who I was created to be when
I am working and growing alongside students to learn more about our Creators intent
for health.
Why is your subject an important one in our world?
I am not sure the discipline of psychology is as important for our broken world as
how it is approached. The lens often utilized in the helping profession is one of
deficits and disorders. My approach leans heavily on what we know about our Creator's
intent for health found in His word as well as through divine revelation through the
sciences. As Christians in the helping profession our purposed calling is to answer
a world that "groans and labors" through acts of redemptive healing. My desire is
to provide a holistic behavioral health education in which restoration in the areas
of intellect, emotion, spirit and vocation are in line with human flourishing as the
Creator intends.
What do you want future students to know about your degree program?
We will learn and grow alongside one another with the understanding that learning
cannot take place outside of community. We will think critically and systemically
through deep, rich conversation in and outside of the classroom.
What do you like to do in your free time?
The majority of my free time is spent with my family. When given a choice, I always
want to be with my people. Often, we are traveling and playing sports.
What has been a meaningful Bible verse or passage for you?
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your
bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act
of worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind."
Romans 12:1-2
Publications
- Allred, T. (2002). The Helping Process: Science or Art? Marriage and Family: A Christian
Journal, 5 (2), 245-248
- Bell, T. (2002). Christian Worldview and the Helping Profession: Answering the Question
of Telos and Praxis. Pardue, B. (ED); Bolger, A. (ED). Restoring the Vocation of a
Christian College: A Framework for Holistic Christian Education in a Post-Christian
World (189-212) OR
