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Are mindful people better at regulating their emotions?

Emotions such as fear, sadness, anger, and so on often need to be "regulated" for us to behave in healthy, adaptive ways. How can people better regulate their emotions when stressed? read more...

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Can we help children with ADHD succeed in school?

Adolescents with ADHD often experience significant problems in school, such as failing grades and low achievement test scores. Can we predict these problems before they occur? read more...

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Why do African American youth trade cigarettes for cigars?

Many youth perceive cigars to pose fewer health risks than cigarettes. But, is this true? read more...

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Are cultural issues important in rehabilitation medicine?

Many health problems and disabilities disproportionately affect ethnic minority communities. But what can rehabilitation specialists do to change that? read more...

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Is religious counseling effective?

Many religious people say they want religious counseling. But is it effective? And, if it is not available, is secular counseling less effective for religious people than religious counseling? read more...

Message from the Chair

kliewerWelcome to the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Psychology. This academic year, 2011-12, will be exciting as we welcome 25 new doctoral students, a host of new undergraduate majors, and several new faculty joining our clinical and health psychology PhD programs. Faculty and students in our department continue to conduct cutting-edge research with specific strengths in health psychology and behavioral medicine, prevention science, and work with youth and families.

Psychology is a broad discipline that encompasses diverse aspects of the study of human behavior. Consequently psychology connects with a number of other disciplines including biology, public policy, sociology, criminal justice, nursing, education, social work, epidemiology and public health, pharmacology, psychiatry, and medicine. Basic and applied research conducted by our faculty and students, much of it funded by federal and other external sources, is relevant to mental and physical health, education, cross-cultural understanding, and other issues of our time. Our undergraduate major, with an honors track for highly qualified students, and PhD programs are rigorous; and we invite inquiries from excellent students interested in graduate study. All applicants accepted into our PhD programs are guaranteed financial support for their first year, and over the last five years we have provided all of our students support for four years contingent on satisfactory progress toward the degree. While many PhD students earn their master's degree along the way, we do not accept students seeking a terminal master's degree.

The Department of Psychology at VCU is a terrific place to study and work not just because of the interdisciplinary scientific and intellectual activity here, but because the university provides a stimulating atmosphere with its wonderfully diversified student body, faculty, and staff, and its rich cultural offerings.

We are located in Richmond, the capital of Virginia, a diverse cultural city, surrounded by historic neighborhoods, parks, and a thriving James River. The city consistently ranks among "Best Places to Live and Work in America" in national publications. In addition, Washington, DC, the Chesapeake Bay and coastal areas, the mountains of Virginia and West Virginia, national wildlife refuges, and areas rich in our country's history are all short drives away.

So look around our website and learn more about us. I welcome your inquiries regarding working or studying in our department or about ways that you might contribute financially to our mission. You can contact me at wkliewer@vcu.edu.

Wendy Kliewer, PhD
Professor and Chair