I received my doctoral degree in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri - Columbia in 2000. As a part of the requirements for my doctoral degree, I practiced as a psychology intern for one year at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. For several years following my graduation, I was a research psychologist and professor. I have done postdoctoral work providing psychotherapy to individuals living with cancer and their caregivers. I also completed a postdoctoral residency with James Straub, Ed.D. here at the Center for Family and Individual Counseling in order to learn his Precision Cognitive Therapy approach. I am currently a licensed psychologist and a certified psychological health service provider.

My approach to therapy is informed by Dr. Straub's Precision Cognitive Therapy approach as well as by traditional elements of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). I attempt to incorporate supportive warmth into my work and also to integrate positive elements of my own personality, such as my sense of humor, where it is appropriate. I believe that therapy is most effective when it is focused on problem-solving and the discovery of more effective solutions. It can only be effective with a client who is actively engaged and who provides willing and effortful collaboration to the process.

I primarily treat adults, but will sometimes work with older adolescents. Areas of treatment include: acute stress reaction and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), mood (depression) and anxiety disorders, grief and loss issues, chronic pain management, stress management and relaxation, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) issues, psychological issues of ongoing medical illness, career and life transitions, and spiritual/existential issues.

My pain psychology work has taken place in conjunction with Dr. Joseph Meyer, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Meyer's presentation on the physiology of pain can be viewed at his Know Pain, No Pain website. A conversation between Dr. Rooney, Dr. Meyer, and Dr. Jeffrey Frey, M.D., host of KOPN's radio show Your Health Matters, can be listened to at the Know Pain, No Pain website or at KOPN (click on "Your Health Matters" and then scroll down to the show on 07.08.09). A conversation between Dr. Jeffrey Frey, M.D. and Dr. Rooney on depression can also be found at the KOPN Audio Archive (click on "Your Health Matters" and then scroll down to the show on 12.02.09).