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Paula K. Whitaker
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Arts and Sciences
Associate Professor of Psychology
pwhitaker@andersonuniversity.edu
(864) 231-2856
Springdale House 214
Academic Background
Dr. Paula K. Whitaker is a clinical psychologist who has worked in the field for the past 35 years. While serving in a variety mental health treatment settings, she taught part time for several different universities. She also served on staff at local churches in the Tampa, Florida area as minister of youth, music, and children’s programs while raising four kids (including one AU alumna). In 2020, Dr. Whitaker moved into full-time teaching to invest in raising up and mentoring the next generation of psychologists.
BA in Music, University of Tampa
MA in Clinical Psychology, University of South Florida
Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, University of South Florida
Fast Facts
I choose to teach at AU, because of AU’s commitment to developing the whole person, including Christian spiritual formation. In psychology, we talk about the need to look at individuals and issues from a bio-psycho-social perspective in order to truly understand them. Even this perspective is incomplete without including the spiritual component.
It’s OK to major in Psychology even if you don’t want to become a counselor. Professionals with bachelor’s degrees in Psychology work in all kinds of settings including business, law, church ministry, research, and higher education. A minor in Psychology also provides a great set of tools to take into careers like nursing or physical therapy. Finally, Psychology is a young science. We don’t have all of the answers yet, but we’ll teach you how to ask some great questions and look forward to seeing you take the field to the next level.
-I have been a licensed Psychologist working in a variety of clinical settings since 1994.
-This work included working with a small team to establish a non-profit Christian counseling center in Tampa, FL, in 1993. The center continues to serve the public today, and I serve on their board.
-While engaged in full-time clinical work, I maintained active ties with the discipline of Psychology, attending and periodically presenting at the annual meetings of the Southeastern Psychological Association (SEPA) and the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS).
The small class sizes at AU foster more faculty-student interaction. I also love getting to talk with students outside of class time about graduate school, career plans, and more–especially over a cup of coffee.
Mental health and mental health delivery systems; program development and evaluation; the practical integration of Christianity and mental health care; adolescent & young adult mental health.
Whitaker, P.K., Batterman, T., Goff, A., & Portugal, N. (2024, March) College campus belonging and the “phubbing” phenomenon [Poster presentation]. 2024 annual conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Atlanta, GA.
Whitaker, P.K., Maglio, J., & Vessey, T. (2023, March 30-April 2) The relationship of Covid-19 decision fatigue and post-traumatic growth in young adults [Poster presentation]. 2023 annual conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies, Louisville, KY.
Whitaker, P.K., Brown, A., Munyanya, M., Smith, E. (2022, March 23-26) Social media use, well-being, and the better than average effect [Poster presentation]. 68th annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Hilton Head, SC.
Whitaker, P.K. (1994). Literary devices: using narrative, metaphor and ritual to promote self-exploration and self-expression. Presented at the May 1994 annual meeting of the Association for the Care of Children’s Health in Toronto, Canada.
Ward, J.C., Naster, B.J., Pace, J.E. & Whitaker, P.K. (1994). Recreational and activity therapies in multi-level psychoeducationally-oriented social skills training. In J.R. Bedell (Ed.), Psychological Assessment and Treatment of Persons with Severe Mental Disorders. Washington, D.C.: Taylor & Francis Publishers.
Whitaker, P.K. & Moritz, J.L. (1992). An evalution of Koppitz’ emotional indicators for human figure drawings when used with adolescent Populations. Presented at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Knoxville, TN.
Ward, J.C., Penner, K., Whitaker, P.K. & Irwin C. (1991). A preliminary evaluation of three pilot mobile crisis projects in Florida. Presented at the 30th annual conference of the Florida Council for Community Mental Health, Treasure Island, FL.
Whitaker, P.K., Moritz, J.L., Appelt, S., Johnson, S., Cattarin, J. & Tantleff, S. (1991). Aspects of the adolescent experience: school-based research with recommendations for the promotion of adolescent adjustment. A symposium presented at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, New Orleans, LA. Discussant: Alfred J. Finch, Jr., Ph.D.
Whitaker, P.K., Moritz, J.L., Weems, D.D. & Shealy, J.S. (1990). Coping strategies and sex role orientation of dual career couples. Presented at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association.