Welcome to the Veterans Studies Program!
Dr. Theresa Botts
My name is Dr. Theresa Botts and it is my pleasure to serve as your faculty advisor. I graduated from EKU with a bachelor’s in general psychology in 1985, and again with a master’s in Clinical Psychology in 1988. I later earned my PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Kentucky in 2001. My research focused on psychosocial factors influencing the academic success of African American students attending predominantly-white universities. My internship was at the VA Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.
I developed a strong interest in working with veterans and their families as a result of this experience. That passion has carried over into my work as the director of the EKU Psychology Clinic. A few years ago, I and my esteemed colleague, Dr. Melinda Moore created the EKU Trauma and Suicide Prevention Specialty Clinic. The clinic promotes mental health from a strengths-based perspective by helping those in our community become more trauma informed and care responsive. We educate folks about suicide awareness and prevention, and we work with both military and civilian community members to provide treatment for mental health concerns related to trauma. Additionally, for five years, I had the pleasure of serving as a co-investigator on an EKU’s Suicide Awareness and Focus on Suicide (EKU Safe) grant along with Dr. Moore. We sought to systematically create a safer and more caring campus community, to assist those at-risk for suicidal behavior, and to support those who were concerned about the welfare of members of our EKU community.
Education
- PhD, Clinical Psychology, University of Kentucky
- MS, Clinical Psychology, Eastern Kentucky University
- BS, Psychology, Eastern Kentucky University
Undergraduate Courses Taught
- Abnormal Psychology
- Beyond the Undergraduate Degree
- Biology and Gender
- Careers in Psychology
- Feminist Theory and Practice
- Foundations of Learning
- Interviewing and Report Writing
- Introduction to Psychology
- Introduction to Women’s Studies
- Orientation Course for Psychology Majors
- Prejudice and Racism
- Problems in Psychology: Independent Study
- Psychological Perspectives on Multiculturalism
- Psychology of African Americans
- Psychology of Women and Gender
- Senior Seminar on Prejudice
Graduate Courses Taught
- Advanced Course in the Psychology of Trauma
- Group and Family Therapy
- Practicum
- Professional Concerns and Ethics
- Psychotherapy and Behavioral Change I
Clinical / Research Interests
- Individual and Group Trauma Work
- Grief and Bereavement Work
- Suicide Assessment and Prevention
- Gender Related Issues Affecting Mental Health
- Social Justice and Diversity Issues in Clinical Training
- Veterans and Family Psychoeducational Program Development
Current Service Roles
- Director, EKU Psychology Clinic
- Clinical Representative, Kentucky Psychological Association Board
- Anti-Racism Taskforce Member, Kentucky Psychological Association
- Member, EKU Institutional Diversity and Inclusion Committee
- Clinicla Supervisor and Clinician, EKU Child and Family Clinic
- Career Advisor, EKU Online Psychology Program
- Faculty Mentor, EKU Honors Program
- Faculty Mentor, McNair Scholars Program
- Faculty Coordinator, EKU Psychology and Animal Studies Co-operative Education
- Faculty Advisor, EKU Veterans Studies Program
- Director of Admissions, EKU PsyD Clinical Program