About Dr. Joy

* Self-Esteem Specialist * Pre-Licensed Professional 

* Professor * Choreographer *

 

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For Psychological Services, Click Psychology Today  

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I reside in Dallas, Texas where I empower others to create and become their best selves.  Most noted for helping adults & couples lessen anxiety while improving overall self-esteem and working through trauma. *click the above link for more information

 

Additionally, I work as a Consulting Psychologist at Kirkbride Center, one of the largest rehabilitation hospitals in Philadelphia, PA where I facilitate recovery groups, workshops and trainings.  In conjunction with the South Central Training Consortium of Los Angeles, CA I provided individual and group therapy and taught a myriad of classes as the sole Therapist in a module at the Lynwood Women's Jail through HealthRight360's Gender Responsive Program.  As an advocate for social justice and in an effort to support restorative justice & reduce recidivism, I've taught classes through, 5 Keys at every jail in Los Angeles, CA.

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TheJoyofLifeTV_Podcast

 

Your safe space for inspiration.  Inspiring videos ranging anywhere between 1 & 30 minutes for inspiration regarding ways to lessen anxiety and feel better now.

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Add Some Joy to Your Life!! BLOG 

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 * Like  * Subscribe  * Follow  

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 Be sure to comment with questions you'd like to have answered

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Research Focus

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As a Qualitative Researcher focusing on the psychological effects of media on women's self-esteem, I offer positive tools to assist this population with lessening harmful results.  Research shows that females as young as age 5 suffer with self-esteem and body image which has been coined, "normative discontent."  To help address concerns, I currently offer psychological services and teach, JOYDance; I also operated the Joy of Dance! Studio for 3-years in

Los Angeles, CA which focused on mitigating harmful effects of media by raising awareness and elevating self-esteem through the arts and education.  

* click Joy of Dance! page for more information

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Pre & Post Doctoral Work:

South Central Training Consortium, Los Angeles, CA

Psychological Assistant to Clive D. Kennedy, PhD, Forensic Psychologist

  *Individual & Group Therapy & Supervisor of Trainees

  *Lynwood Women's Jail, Sole Therapist

OTIS College of Art & Design, Los Angeles, CA

Psychological Assistant to Dr. Freddie L. Barnes, PhD, Clinical Director

  * Individual & Crisis Therapist, Main Campus Goldsmith

  * Selected as the Sole Therapist in Residence at the      

     Fashion Campus, Downtown, Los Angeles, CA

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Practicum:

Family Service Agency of Burbank - Burbank, CA

  *Marriage & Family Trainee - Individuals, Groups & Families

  *School Based Therapist, John Burroughs High

  *Domestic Violence Therapist for Sheltered Residents

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Professor

Motivating and encouraging Lecturer of Psychology & Sociology as well as Humanities and Research Methods, cultivator of an academically creative atmosphere which supports diverse needs of multifaceted populations using student-focused pedagogy.  Subject Matter Expert for Research Methods for Social Sciences RESM235 course for Pacific Oaks College in Pasadena, CA. Taught twenty undergraduate courses of Psychology, Sociology, Research Methods and Humanities as an Adjunct Professor at Argosy University, Los Angeles, CA as well as several Psychology 101 courses as an Adjunct Professor at Camden County College of New Jersey, Camden campus.

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JOYDance

 The focus is to increase self-esteem and confidence of all who participate regardless of age, gender and/or dance experience.  JOYDance invites students to get out of their heads and daily stress and into their bodies.  Grown men have been known to cry, releasing years of built up tension and stress.  African drumming and a safe and confidential atmosphere set the stage for JOYDance participants to, "break free" from negative feelings and push through to happiness.  Students rave about how JOYDance assists with attaining & exceeding goals.  

* Visit Joy of Dance! page for more info.

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As a means of assisting students experiencing socio-economic challenges with increasing self-esteem through the Arts and Education, I have created  and worked with many programs in multiple cities spanning from Camden, New Jersey to Southern California to address academic, career, personal, spiritual, and social needs of clients.  My love of Dance is inspired by Debbie Allen; I had the pleasure of being a faculty member at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy for five years. 

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College Counseling

As an HBCU Grad and advocate for education, efforts assisting high-school students with the college going process have resulted in hundreds attending campuses throughout the United States with majority studying at Historically Black Colleges/Universities. 

Efforts have been recognized with multiple awards as well as commendations throughout Los Angeles County. 

 

I highly recommend I Am Black History; HBCU Summit (formally, Stepping in the Right Direction HBCU Tours) and partner with this company.  Additionally, I have worked with multiple organizations including, the National Pan Hellenic Council of Los Angeles to assist students with creating and attaining academic goals.  Moreover, work with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Sigma Lambda Omega Chapter's scholarship committee allowed space for high-school seniors to receive scholarships allocated for HBCU's with additional monies earmarked for students active in their respective communities through work/acts of service.

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Never allow the shadow of a perceived failure to block the

sunlight of success.