Research Interests
I study the role that work plays in peoples' lives: how individuals perceive different jobs, career-related events and occupational experiences. Stated more scientifically, I'm interested in the degree to which occupationally-oriented perceptions and performance vary as a function of select demographic, cognitive and socioemotional variables. These interests led me to the intersection of health and vocational psychology – specifically, in the impact of unhealthy workplace experiences and behaviors (e.g., compulsive work; bullying in the workplace), and the impact of previous trauma on workplace adjustment. With regard to more applied research interests, I help people --young and old-- with career decision-making and career-related transitions. I developed a career-related reentry program that was used in the Virginia correctional system for 10 years. "INTUIT: Work and Careers" has been recognized as a Model Program by the State Council of Governments Report of the Re-entry Policy Council, and focuses not only on career information and career choice, but also on the socioemotional aspects of returning to work. With regard to clinical work, I am a generalist. I also value psychological assessment activities (personality, career-related, and intellectual assessment) to the extent that they enhance diagnostic and therapeutic efforts.
Selected Publications
Shivy, V. A., & Guion, D. B. (2012). Forensics and the legal system. In N. A. Fouad (Ed.), APA handbook of counseling psychology: Vol. 2. Practice, interventions, and applications. Washington DC: APA.
Shivy, V. A. (in press). Trauma, identity, and the workplace. In C. R. Figley (Ed.), Encyclopedia of trauma. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Shivy, V. A., & Guion, D. (in press). Trauma and incarceration. In C. R. Figley (Ed.),
Encyclopedia of trauma. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Shivy, V. A., & Guion, D. (in press). Childhood trauma and the juvenile justice system. In C. R. Figley (Ed.), Encyclopedia of trauma. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
Shivy, V. A., Wu, J., Moon, A. E., Mann, S., Holland, J., & Eacho, C. (2007). Ex-offenders reentering the workforce. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 54, 466-473.
Recent Courses Taught at VCU
- Career Development and Occupational Mental Health, graduate level
- Counseling Practicum, graduate level
- Experimental Methods in Psychology, undergraduate level
Recent Grants
Pixie's Pen Pals: A Program for Virginia's Inmates. July 2011-June 2012. Studies the outcomes associated with pairing rescued shelter dogs with inmates serving time in Virginia Correctional facilities. $20,000.
INTUIT: Work and Careers. July 2000-June 2010. Virginia Department of Correctional Education. $305,940.
Psychology in Corrections. July 2003-June 2007. Virginia Department of Corrections. $270,000.