I received my Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of South Carolina, and then received Masters and Doctorate degrees in psychology from Ohio State University after serving four years at sea in the Navy. Early in my psychology career I did research and systems design in human factors (ergonomics) at Bell Telephone Laboratories, but after seven years it was clear that I needed to be doing something that contributed to the welfare of people instead of just AT&T's bottom line.

     I spent a year researching alternative careers and working on the VisionQuest wagon train with juvenile delinquent kids. Afterward, I came to Penn State and completed a two-year clinical psychology re-specialization program, followed by an internship at the VA Medical Center Consortium in Pittsburgh, and then licensing. During that time I also began practicing here in State College and maintained a private practice there for 25 years.

     I worked primarily with adults dealing with anxiety disorders, depression, career changes, dissociative disorders, and marital problems - using the modalities of cognitive behavioral psychotherapy, family therapy, and clinical hypnosis. I also designed and directed five local Employee Assistance Programs and retired from clinical practice in 2005.

     But retiring did not mean the end of my career in psychology. During my short-lived retirement I received training in life coaching from the MentorCoach - a coach training organization specializing in training psychologists to be coaches. I also learned retirement coaching from Retirement Options - one of the premier retirement coaching organizations - and am certified by them. In addition, I wrote articles on psychology and coaching for "The State College Magazine," "Pennsylvania Business Central," and "The Centre Daily Times," plus memoirs for "The Meadville Tribune" and other regional newspapers.  

     After four years of retirement, I missed using my clinical training, thinking about clinical issues, helping people, and associating with my clinical colleagues. So in 2009 I reopened my clinical practice here in State College, providing couples therapy, individual psychotherapy, clinical hypnosis, pre-retirement and retirement coaching, and workshops focusing on the personal, emotional, and relationship adjustments to retirement for businesses and organizations.  

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SOMETHING ABOUT THIS WEBSITE

     This website is more than a simple professional communication tool. I've designed it so you will know more about me, how I do psychotherapy, and what I value. I have always loved writing, so you will find a variety of articles here about psychology, coaching, retirement, and living. I also love the outdoors, so you will find photographs I have taken during hiking, biking, and kayaking trips.

Enjoy.

Jack Williams