My teaching philosophy is anchored by the principles of adult learning. In the classroom, I aim to build a team of learners who feel connected to one another with a common educational goal. Through experiential exposure, dialogue, critical reflection, and peer mentoring, we create a learning experience that allows students to reorganize their understanding of academic material.
I aim to convey respect for students contributions and to create assignments that have direct relevance to students practicum work. I continually seek student input, and use formal and informal feedback to modify a course within the semester and from year to year.
My scholarship has been concentrated in the areas of pediatric and school psychology, with a focus on the clinical applications of research and the formulation of practice guidelines for health care and school professionals. Student dissertations under my mentorship have explored child and family adjustment to cancer and other major pediatric medical issues.
Recent publications have included chapters providing guidelines to medical care providers on meeting the psychological needs of children and families with severe illness, guidelines to school teams on meeting the needs of traumatized or maltreated students, and a formulation of the role of gender in cognitive assessment.
American Psychological Association (APA), National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA), Delaware County Association of School Psychologists (DASP)
After trying final semesters during COVID-19, alumni from the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology offer their support for students through sponsoring doctoral hoods for each graduate.
Students in the graduate clinical psychology program launched an advocacy campaign to support prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations for teachers in Delaware County.
After shifting courses to an online environment, programs are harnessing the power of technology to supplement teaching requirements and simulate hands-on learning experience from a safe distance.
Mary Rourke, associate professor and director of the Institute of Graduate Clinical Psychology, is quoted in this article examining a new study on the impact of the Flint, Michigan water crisis on school-aged children. Rourke says that children are more affected by their environment due to their lack of effective coping mechanisms.
This article provides a guide to throwing an eco-friendly New Year's Eve party for kids, which not only promotes sustainability but according to Mary Rourke, associate professor and director of Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, allows families and kids to cope after a difficult year.
Mary Rourke, professor and director of the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, weighs in with expert commentary on how to talk about politics with children.
Mary Rourke, associate professor and director of Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, explains how everyday stressful or upsetting experiences can cause long-term grief among impacted children.
Mary Rourke, associate professor and director of the Institute for Graduate Clinical Psychology, contributes expert guidance as well as her own New Year's resolutions in this article that examines how to set achievable personal goals.