Specialties in Neuropsychology, Family and Couples Therapy
Specialties in Forensic/Correctional Psychology, Geriatric Psychology
Clinical practice providing psychotherapy and nature exposure animal-assisted growth/learning experiences to various populations including individuals, couples, military veterans and families, persons with autism spectrum disorders, athletes, law enforcement trainees, student therapists, and corporations/organizations. Services provided in affiliation with Forever Florida, a 4700-acre wildlife preserve in Saint Cloud, Florida. For more information, please visit www.eyeofahorse.com.
Animal trainer/handler, utilizing principles of applied behavior analysis, including shaping, use of discriminative stimuli, schedules of reinforcement, and behavioral contingencies to train and manage horses (over 100 head); applying behavior analytic techniques to gentling Charolais bulls to prepare for sale and to Spanish Colonial cattle as part of training horses to work with cows. Duties include providing educational presentations to civic organizations, public/private schools, home-schooled students and educators demonstrating psychological principles of learning as applied to both humans and animals.
Provided mental health program development, clinical supervision and oversight for 23,000 inmates in13 state correctional facilities. Duties included hiring mental health staff, providing on-going staff training, monitoring mental health programs in each facility, and 24-hr on-call services. Responsible for site-specific mental health policy and procedures in accordance with ACA and NCCHC accreditation standards.
Provided clinical supervision and oversight for three private adult male medium security correctional facilities (2900 inmates) in Colorado. Crowley County Correctional Facility, Olney Springs (1200-beds): clinical oversight and program development for mental health department. Included providing in-cell mental health programs for approximately 60 segregated high-risk behavioral management offenders. Responsible for site-specific mental health policy and procedures in accordance with ACA and NCCHC accreditation standards. Huerfano County Correctional Facility, Walsenburg (950-beds) and Bent County Correctional Facility, Las Animas (750-beds): mental health service delivery, consultation, clinical supervision, and emergency on-call services.
Clinical practice included assessment and treatment in the following specialty areas: forensic psychology, trauma, family mediation, couples counseling, and sexual dysfunction. Consultation services provided to various organizations including Holmes Regional Medical Center (oncology support group), Correctional Behavioral Solutions (private company providing mental health services for Indiana Department of Corrections), Prison Health Services (private company providing contract health care services for correctional facilities), U.S. Social Security Administration (Disability and SSI programs). Forensic practice included psychological evaluation of incarcerated inmates on competency and mental state issues for the courts and private attorneys.
Individual and group therapy, psychoeducational classes, and assessment services for incarcerated offenders.
Evaluation and consultation services for individuals involved in the criminal justice and/or mental health systems, including issues of criminal responsibility (insanity defense), competency to proceed (stand trial), criminal sentencing, disability evaluations, and child custody.
Inpatient and outpatient assessment services and individual and group psychotherapy. Presenting problems included schizophrenia, mood and anxiety disorders, neurological impairment, and personality disorders.
Consultation with medical staff, psychological assessment, and individual and family therapy with primarily elderly patients in a medical/rehabilitation setting. Presenting problems included mood and anxiety disorders, dementia, chronic pain, AIDS, medical noncompliance, and relationship problems.
Long-term outpatient individual, marital, and family therapy with adults over age 55. Presenting problems included depression, anxiety, care-giver's stress, cognitive impairment, bereavement.
Position included co-therapy with couples and groups for marital and sexual problems, and individual and group treatment for approximately 300 combat veterans diagnosed with PTSD.
Private practice outpatient setting specializing in neuropsychological assessment and counseling. Responsibilities included neuropsychological, intellectual, and personality assessment.
Outpatient sexual abuse treatment program. Duties included co-leading weekly behavioral therapy group for sexual offenders, providing assessment and adjunctive individual and family therapy, coordinating with social service agencies and judicial system.
An inpatient 80-bed rehabilitation facility with spinal cord, brain-injury, oncology, neurology, and chronic pain management programs. Responsibilities included assessment, psychotherapy, psychoeducational classes, and representation of department at multidiscipline treatment team conferences.
Responsibilities included inmate assessment and counseling, and weekly briefing to all new inmates on psychological issues. Adjunct position entailed development, implementation and instruction of stress management, image enhancement, self-esteem, interpersonal and communication skills classes for inmates.
Provided psychological services for inmates including substance abuse treatment (drug education classes and relapse prevention courses), psychological assessment and individual psychotherapy, inmate briefings on psychological issues.
Graduate courses (Forensic Evaluation, Clinical Hypnosis,
Treatment of Sexual Dysfunction) and Undergraduate courses
(Abnormal Psychology, Clinical/Community Psychology, Human Sexuality)
Graduate courses (Experiential Psychotherapy and Learning,
Dynamics of Group Psychotherapy)
Granted by Space Coast and Central Florida Medicine Magazine to "those who have volunteered their special talents and expertise to address specific circumstances in which the lives of those in need are improved."
Study examined association of PTSD severity, combat exposure, coping resources, and treatment duration in a sample of 76 Vietnam veterans diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder. Study presented at Southeastern Psychological Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1994.
Responsibilities included collecting and recording data on animal studies and preparing data, graphics and charts for publication.
Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced Clinical Hypnosis Training (130 hours)
Three semesters of graduate level coursework and practicum training in clinical hypnosis (90 hours)
Post-Graduate Training in Sex Therapy (120 hours)
Approved by American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists
Altamonte, Florida. 9/95 to 3/96
Post-Graduate Training in Sex Therapy (160 hours)
Winter Park, Florida. 9/96 to 12/96
Certified Training Program (40 hours)
Tampa, Florida. 6/97
Using Nature and Animals to Help Those with Mental Health Challenges: Invited Presenter at Rotary Club of Indialantic. Indialantic, Florida. 4/30/2014
Thinking Outside the Saddle--How to Optimize the Mental Health Benefits of Equine-Assisted Experiential Therapy: Invited Presenter at 2013 PATH International Conference-Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship—Mental Health Professionals Track (CEU credits), Orlando, Florida. 11/7/2013
Reconnecting with the Natural Elements of the World—The Mental Health Benefits of Nature—Research, Implications, and Applications: CEU Presentation to School of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Florida. 10/25/2013
Repurposing the Florida Cracker Horse—How Horses are Helping Military Veterans with Mental Health Challenges: Invited Presenter at Daughters of the American Revolution regional meeting. Viera, Florida. 10/21/2013
Social Skills, Communication and Non-verbal Interaction—Using Experiential Animal-Assisted Nature Exposure for Treatment of Autism: Invited Presenter at US Autism and Asperger’s Association 2013 World Conference (CEU credits). Salt Lake City, Utah. 8/2013
Articulate Silence--The Art of Non-verbal Communication—An Experiential Workshop: CEU presentation to the Florida Psychological Association, Indian River County Chapter. 3/2013
Effects of Nature Exposure and Environmental Elements on Mental Health: Presentation to selected group 2012 National Grazing Lands Conference. Orlando, Florida 12/2012
Experiential Visual Social Thinking—Non-verbal Communication for Autism: Invited Presenter at US Autism and Asperger’s Association 2012 World Conference (CEU credits). Denver, Colorado. 09/2012
Equine-Assisted Model for Treating Returning Iraq and Afghanistan Soldiers—An Experiential Road to Recovery: Presentation to staff of Readjustment Counseling Service Orlando Veteran Center and Regional Military Chaplain’s Program. 05/2012
Animal-Assisted Learning for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum: Presentation to staff of College Internship Program, a post-secondary academic and independent living residential program for young adults with Asperger’s and LD. Melbourne, Fl. 04/2012
Equine-Assisted Learning and Psychotherapy for Persons with Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI): Presentation to SCI support group at Sea Pines Rehabilitation Hospital, Melbourne, Fl. 03/2012
The Equine-Assisted Therapy Model—Theory and Practice—An Experiential Workshop: Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society University of Central Florida. 03/2012
How to Start an Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Program for At-Risk Youth: For counseling staff of Pasco County Girls Academy—Department of Juvenile Justice Facility, Pasco County, Fl. 02/2012
Basic Learning Principles from the Field of Psychology: In-service training for Florida public school teachers. The Equine Education Center, Forever Florida, Fl. 01/ 2012
Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning--Teaching Non-Verbal Communication: Site visit, formal presentations and arena demonstrations for WDR German television. The Equine Education Center, Fl. 10/ 2011
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning—Theory and Application: Site visit, formal presentation and arena demonstrations for representatives from College of Medicine, University of Central Florida. The Equine Education Center, Forever Florida. 10/ 2011
Gender-Specific Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy for Female Abuse Victims—An Experiential Model: Site visit, presentation and demonstrations for invited staff from female trauma unit University Behavioral Center, Orlando, Fl. 04/ 2011
Big Barometers in Brown Coats--An Overview of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning Models: CEU presentation for faculty, Florida Institute of Technology School of Psychology, Melbourne, Fl. 03/ 2011
Animal-Assisted Psychotherapy for Military Veterans with PTSD: Recurring presentations to therapists and members of psychotherapy group for disabled veterans. Turner Group, Rialto Place, Melbourne, Fl. 02/ 2011 to present
Utilizing an Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) Model to Teach Clinical Skills to Psychologists: Recurring experiential educational presentations/workshops for clinical psychology/counseling graduate students from Florida Institute of Technology, University of Central Florida, Rollins College, and Webster University. The Equine Education Center, Forever Florida. 01/2011 to present
The Proprioceptive Bridge: A Hypnoanalysis Technique: Presented at Florida Society of Clinical Hypnosis. Cocoa Beach, Florida. 2010
Utilizing Learning Principles and Applied Behavior Analysis Techniques: Recurring educational presentations conducted for the general public and for specific groups (civic organizations, educators, public/private schools) at The Equine Education Center, Forever Florida. 2002 to present
Hostage Negotiations and Communication Skills: In-service presentations to Correctional Officer Training Academies throughout Colorado and Delaware. 1999 to 2001
Stress Management Seminars: Experiential workshops and educational presentations presented with appropriate modifications to staff and inmate populations in federal and state correctional settings (FL, Delaware, Colorado), to rehab hospital patients with chronic pain or breathing problem, to combat veterans diagnosed with PTSD, and to active duty military and families. 1997 to present
Therapeutic Use of Humor and Play: Presented with appropriate modifications to staff and inmate populations in federal and state correctional settings, to groups of chronic pain patients, and to military veterans with PTSD. 1989 to 2001
Applied Clinical Hypnosis: 12 hour in-service training for hospital staff, Winter Haven, Fl. 08/1997
Ego-state Marital Therapy: Experiential workshop presented at annual meeting of Florida Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, Miami, Fl. 06/1997
Exercises for Marital Fitness: Experiential workshop on relationship therapy through Employee Assistance Program, Harris Corporation, Melbourne, Fl. 0 6/1996
Trauma: Treatment of Its Memory: Experiential workshops presented to Florida Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Naples, FL 10/1995 and American Society of Clinical Hypnosis, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 12/1995
Crisis as Opportunity: Presentation to student body of Brevard Community College, Melbourne, Fl. 10/1995
Expression of Anger in Women: In-service training, Florida Mental Health Institute, Tampa, Fl. 08/1995
Communication in Co-therapy: “Ballroom Dancing in Clinical Practice”: Colloquium to faculty and student body Clinical Psychology Doctoral Program, School of Psychology, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, Fl. 03/1994
Trauma: Treatment of PTSD: Workshop presented to private practice enhancement association, Melbourne, Fl.0 3/1994
Sexuality and Related Psychosocial Issues for Newly Incarcerated Inmates: Presented at various prisons to aid in reducing inappropriate sexual acting out and control spread of STD's in correctional settings. 1989 to 1991
Communication and Assertiveness Skills—An Experiential Workshop: Presented with appropriate modifications to various populations, including adult women returning to a work setting, staff and inmate populations in federal/state correctional facilities, chronic pain patients, military veterans with PTSD, and drug rehab and youth detention centers. 1975 to 2011
Increasing Self-Esteem Through Image Enhancement: Series of two hour workshops presented in 12 cities across the US under contract with Bristol Myers Co., N.Y., N.Y. 1988
Non-verbal Communication Youth-Oriented Experiential Workshops: Presented to both staff and residents of various drug rehabilitation and youth detention centers throughout Florida. 1975 to 1980
Sandra R. Wise — drwise@drsandrawise.com — (321) - 749-0216