Clinical Psychology

Faculty

Galen Alessi (Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1974)

Dr. Galen Alessi is a Professor of Psychology and a fully licensed psychologist in Michigan and Maryland, as well as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship in behavioral pediatrics in the department of pediatrics at the Johns Hopkins Medical School. He also completed the post-graduate one-year intensive training program in Family Therapy at the Family Therapy Institute of Washington, D.C. His main research interests are in marital and family therapy, strategic behavioral therapy, and behavioral pediatrics.

Amy Damashek (Ph.D., University of Missouri-Columbia, 2007)

Dr. Amy Damashek is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology. She completed her internship and post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Center on Child Abuse & Neglect. Dr. Damashek teaches courses in abnormal child psychology, lifespan development, child behavior therapy, and psychological assessment. Her research interests are in the area of unintentional childhood injury and child maltreatment. Dr. DamashekÕs recent research has focused on the role of caregiver supervision in childrenÕs unintentional injuries, particularly among low-income families. Dr. Damashek is also interested in cultural differences among parents with regard to their safety beliefs and child injury prevention practices. In addition, Dr. Damashek has conducted research on factors related to client engagement in home-based services to prevent child neglect (i.e., SafeCare) and is interested in implementing evidence-based child maltreatment interventions and prevention programs in the state of Michigan. Clinically, Dr. Damashek is well-versed in evidence-based psychotherapies for child and adolescent behavior problems, treatment of inappropriate youth sexual behaviors, and treatment of child PTSD.

R. Wayne Fuqua (Ph.D., University of Florida, 1977)

Dr. Wayne Fuqua is a Professor of Psychology and the Chair of the Psychology Department. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He teaches courses in behavioral medicine, behavioral approaches to treatment, and behavior analysis research methodology. His research interests include: the management of health risk behaviors; treatment of habit disorders; developmental disabilities; and functional assessment and analysis. He is the director of the Behavioral Medicine Lab and a frequent contributor to behavior analysis and behavior therapy journals.

Scott Gaynor (Ph.D., University of North Carolina, 2000)

Dr. Scott Gaynor is an Associate Professor of Psychology and a licensed clinical psychologist. He completed his internship and an NIMH post-doctoral fellowship at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in Pittsburgh, PA. He teaches courses in child development, psychopathology, and psychotherapy. Dr. Gaynor also directs the Behavior Research and Therapy Laboratory, which conducts treatment process and outcome research (often with children and adolescents).

Amy E. Naugle (Ph.D., University of Nevada-Reno, 1999)

Dr. Amy Naugle is an Assistant Professor of Psychology. She completed her clinical internship at the Charleston Consortium in Charleston, SC. Prior to coming to WMU, Dr. Naugle completed a NIMH post-doctoral fellowship at the National Crime Victim's Center, Medical University of South Carolina. Her primary research interests include investigating psychological and interpersonal factors associated with physical and sexual victimization, assessment, training, and psychotherapy outcome issues related to Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP).

C. Richard Spates , (Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1976)

Dr. C. Richard Spates is a Professor of Psychology and a licensed clinical psychologist in the State of Michigan. His primary clinical activities and research interests are with individuals with anxiety disorders in general and particularly those related to traumatic stress. He is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and a Board Certified Expert in Traumatic Stress. He is currently the director of the WMU Anxiety Disorders Research Laboratory. He is also a consultant to the V.A. Medical Center of Battle Creek, and the Michigan Department of Community Health's Bureau of Clinical and Medical Services.

Lester W. Wright Jr. (Ph.D., University of Georgia, 1995)

Dr. Lester Wright is an Associate Professor of Psychology. His primary clinical and research interests are in the area of human sexuality and deviant behavior. He completed his internship at the University of Mississippi Medical School/ Jackson VA Consortium and then completed a post-doctoral fellowship at University Hospitals of Cleveland/Case Western Reserve University. He is currently the director of the Clinical Studies Laboratory, an out-patient clinic and research center for individuals requiring assessment and/or treatment of sexual problems.

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