Courtney L. Slater, PhD

Affiliated Programs

• Clinical Psychology (PsyD)
• Clinical Psychology & Criminal Justice (PsyD & MCJ Dual Degree)
• Clinical Psychology/Business (PsyD & MBA Dual Degree)
• Clinical Psychology/Health Care Management (PsyD & MBA Dual Degree)
• Clinical Psychology & Human Sexuality Studies (PsyD & MEd Dual Degree)

Education

• PhD, Clinical Psychology (2010)
  Biola University (CA)

About Me

My teaching philosophy is threefold: (1) to inspire students to the lifelong journey of developing personal and professional excellence, (2) to engage students in a relational and experiential classroom, and (3) to integrate learning into the developmental process. I believe that learning requires authentic engagement in a community where students feel safe to personally interact with the course material and with others. This process also helps students learn how to empathize with others and engage in a respectful discussion, skills that are essential to psychologists. I believe that my strengths as a teacher come from my ability to connect with students, foster a safe learning environment, and collaboratively engage students in material that can be personally challenging.

Research Interests

Broadly speaking, I am interested in researching the topics of psychodynamic psychotherapy, culture, and relationships. For the last few years my work has focused primarily on the study of an applied psychology of religion and spirituality. I am interested in the integration of religion and spirituality into psychoanalytic theory, psychotherapy, and professional training. I also enjoy partnering with students to better understand the psychological experiences of marginalized groups, such as gay black men, individuals diagnosed with stigmatizing mental illness, and transgender clients seeking gender confirmation surgery.

Publications

• Slater, C., Bordenave, J., & Boyer, B. (2016). The impact of religious and spiritual coping on PTSD. In C. R. Martin, V. R. Preedy, & V. B. Patel (Eds.), The Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. Springer, 147-162.

• Brabender, V., & Slater, C. (2014). The group as a medium for personal and professional renewal. In R. Wicks & E. Maynard (Eds.), Clinicians Guide to Self-Renewal. (265–283). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley and Sons.

• Zenkert, R. L., Brabender, V., & Slater, C. (2014). Therapists responses to religious/spiritual discussions with trauma versus non-trauma clients. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy, 44, 213–221.

• Slater, C., Legg, J., & Boyer, B. (in press). The Impact of Religious and Spiritual Coping on PTSD. In C. R. Martin, V. R. Preedy, & V. B. Patel (Eds.), The Comprehensive Guide to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Springer.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

American Psychological Association (APA), Delaware Psychological Association (DPA), Philadelphia Society for Psychoanalytic Psychology (PSPP), Society for the Exploration of Psychoanalytic Therapies and Theology (SEPTT)