Pam Clark
Associate Professor of Education and Director of the Marriage and Family Therapy Program
Scholarly Interests
“I enjoy learning about training, supervision, the process of therapy, the continued personal well-being of the therapist, and the advancement of the MFT profession.”
Inspiration
“My students inspire my work. I know the challenges they face, both in their commitment to their education, as well as what they will be facing when they begin their careers. This knowledge always challenges me to try as hard as I possibly can to have the most accurate information, use the most effective methodology, and be as available as possible to assist them. Their commitment to their goals inspires my commitment to excellence.”
Current Project
“I’ve just completed writing up the results of a research project exploring client transfers in collaboration with colleagues at Friends University, University of Louisiana at Monroe, and Rich Keen here at Converse. I’m also finishing up the data analysis from a qualitative project that explored clients’ experiences when they have to transfer to a new therapist.”
Upcoming Project
“I’m working with a colleague at Louisiana Tech on a project exploring best practices in child custody evaluations.”
Recent Publications & Awards
“My publications include ‘Outcomes of Client Transfers in a Training Setting,’ in press, with the American Journal of Family Therapy and ‘Stay in the Field: The Resilient Therapist,’ published in the 2009 issue of the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.”
Conference Presentations
“In 2010, I presented at the AAMFT National Conference in Atlanta, Ga. My topic was ‘Client Retention Following Transfer in a Training Setting.’ In August I went to the 7 Shares Conference, speaking about ‘The Social and Emotional Needs of the Gifted Child.'”
Vision for Teaching
“I strive to create a respectful learning environment in my classroom in which all feel empowered to question, challenge, and grow. I always keep in mind that I am taught as much as I teach. An effective classroom balances structure with flexibility. Students benefit from in-depth classroom discussions in which the concepts are discussed and explored. I like using experiential learning and methods such as role-plays and hands-on applications. My goal for all my students is to take what they have learned in my classes and make it their own.”
Teaching Connection
“Most of the creativity in my classroom comes from my students. My contribution is predominantly to provide a forum in which they can unleash it. I like to use projects that allow students to approach material in different ways and from different viewpoints, and they have never disappointed me in the depth of the content and the imaginative ways they find to present it. When ideas grow, expand, and move in new directions, challenging me as much as the students, I feel like it’s been a good day.”