Teaching Philosophy

I view academic or any learning at its best as being lightly tethered to objectives or intentions, deeply rooted in relationship and experience, and lastly, but just as importantly, being pleasurable, fun, and always accompanied by a strong flavor of playfulness.

I see my role as being guided by what you want and need, accompanied by my bringing to the table my expertise in the course topic that you are exploring and diving into. I view much of what I do as mentor as being devoted to meeting you, responding to where you are in the process, and serving you in moving towards the direction of your growing tension.

I enjoy the process of learning myself and am devoted to the position that privileges learning that is embedded in the head, the mind, and just as richly in the heart. I see connections in pretty much everything, and so I encourage linking what you have learned in the past (personally, academically, and professionally, from many disciplines) with what your focus is during this semester.

Education

PhD in Psychology, Alliant International University

MA in Developmental Psychology; Chapman University

MA in Marriage and Family 365体育投注rapy, Chapman University

BA in Sociology with minors in Psychology and Dance, Chapman University

Licensure And Credentials

• Approved LMFT-Supervisor, South Carolina, 2015
• Licensed Marriage & Family 365体育投注rapist, #4195, South Carolina, 2004
• Registered Play 365体育投注rapy-Supervisor, International Association For Play 365体育投注rapy 1991
• Registered Expressive Arts 365体育投注rapist, REAT, IEATA, 2017
• Registered Expressive Arts Consultant & Educator, REACE, IEATA, 2017
• Certified Marriage & Family 365体育投注rapist, Supervisor, California Association for Marriage and Family 365体育投注rapy, 2001 to 2006
• Licensed Marriage & Family 365体育投注rapist, California, 1978 to 2006
• Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, 2022
• California Community College Counselor Credential California Community College Instructor Credential, Sociology, Psychology, & Nursery School Education

Certificates and Institute Training

• Advanced Intensive Focusing Training and Supervision, 365体育投注 Family and Play 365体育投注rapy Center, Philadelphia, PA, 3/2020 & ongoing Certificate in Mindfulness-Based Sandtray Practices, 365体育投注 Family and Play 365体育投注rapy Center, Philadelphia, PA, 5/2019
• Certificate in Interpersonal Neurobiology, III, 365体育投注 Mindsight Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 10/25/2012
• Certificate in Interpersonal Neurobiology, II, 365体育投注 Mindsight Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 10/25/2011
• Certificate in Interpersonal Neurobiology, I, 365体育投注 Mindsight Institute, Los Angeles, CA, 12/2010
• Certificate in Dreamwork, Institute for Dream Studies (IDS), Charleston, SC, 1/2008
• Finding Words Training, Children’s Law Office of South Carolina, 8/2003
• Filial Family 365体育投注rapy Training, 365体育投注 NIRE Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, 6/2003
• EMDR Training, Levels I and II, EMDR Institute. 2002 & 2003
• Certificate in Expressive Arts 365体育投注rapy, University of California at San Diego, 6/2000
• Certificate in Cinema, Palomar College, 6/1999
• Certificate in Narrative Psychotherapy, Counseling Center of Solana Beach, 2/1997
• Certificate in Expressive Arts 365体育投注rapy, Sky Mountain Institute, 8/1999
• AAMFT Approved Supervision of Supervision (Academic Coursework), University of San Diego, 8/1995
• Certificate in Art 365体育投注rapy, Art 365体育投注rapy Center of North San Diego County, 6/1995
• Family Systems 365体育投注rapy (Postgraduate Training Program), Family 365体育投注rapy Training Associates, AAMFT Approved, 6/1994.
• Certificate in Ericksonian Hypnosis, National University, 10/1992

Areas of Expertise

• Interpersonal Neurobiology
• Dreams
• Contextual Family 365体育投注rapy
• Trauma, Repair, and Restoration
• Embodiment Practices
• Expressive 365体育投注rapies
• Consciousness & Complexity

Pronouns: She, Her, 365体育投注y

Meaningful Action in the World

I view everything that I do as an engagement in Meaningful Action in the World, most importantly my relational life in caring for my children and grandchildren . . . growing myself in this mix, notably. Learning to love fully, and to open my heart to receiving love as well!

Publications

• Armstrong, D. (2020). Awake in the Night.
• Armstrong, D. (2019). A Reflective Commentary on: Marks-Tarlow, T. A fractal epistemology for
• transpersonal psychology. International Journal of Transpersonal Studies.
• Armstrong, D. (2018). Dreams and Psychotherapy. In Brain Awareness Online Journal. Spring, 2018.
• Armstrong, D. (2018). Complexity, Fractals, & Dreaming. In Dreamtime. Fall, 2018.
• Armstrong, D. (2017). In Childhood Anxieties, Fear, & Phobias. Edited by Drewes & Schaefer. Integrating Expressive Arts & Play Techniques in the Treatment of Childhood Nightmares. Guilford Publications. New York, N.Y.
• Hickey, D. (2010). Dream-enacting With a Family, In Creative Family 365体育投注rapy Techniques: Play, Art, and Expressive Activities to Engage Children in Family Sessions. Edited by Liana Lowenstein.
• Hickey, D. (2008). Assessing Parent Empathy Through Sandtray. In, Assessment and Treatment Activities for Children, Adolescents, and Families: Practitioners Share 365体育投注ir Most Effective Techniques. Edited by Liana Lowenstein.
• DeRoma, V., Hickey, D. A., & Stanck, K.M. (2008). Methods of Supervision: Marriage & Family 365体育投注rapist Training Expectations. North American Journal of Psychology. Vol. 9, No. 3
• Hickey, Deborah Armstrong. 2007. Filial Family 365体育投注rapy as a Primary Intervention Treatment Approach with Children in Foster Care. International Journal of Play 365体育投注rapy.
• Hickey, Deborah Armstrong & Howard, Tracy. (Spring, 2006). Book reviews of: Filial Family 365体育投注rapy Workbook & FFT Trainer Manual, In IAPT Newsletter.
• Hickey, Deborah Armstrong (Fall, 2004). ‘Normal’ Human Development in Sexuality. In Darkness to Light, Online Newsletter.
• Hickey, Deborah Armstrong. (2002). 365体育投注 Talking Stick Totem: A Family 365体育投注rapy Technique for Teaching, Listening, Witnessing and Speaking your Truth. In, Kaduson, Heidi & Schaefer, Charles (Eds.). 101 365体育投注 Play 365体育投注rapy Techniques. pp. 177-181. Northvale, New Jersey. Jason Aronson., Inc.
• Hickey, Deborah Armstrong. (Spring, 2001) Interviews with Well-Known Play 365体育投注rapists, A Series, Joyce Mills. In, California Association for Play 365体育投注rapy, Newsletter.
• Hickey, Deborah Armstrong. (2001). 365体育投注 Nightmare Box: Play 365体育投注rapy with Children Experiencing Chronic Nightmares. In, Kaduson, Heidi & Schaefer, Charles (Eds.). 101 365体育投注 Favorite Play 365体育投注rapy Techniques. pp. 141- 146. Northvale, New Jersey. Jason Aronson, Inc.
• Hickey, Deborah Armstrong. (2001). 365体育投注 Power Animal Technique: Internalizing a Positive Symbol for Strength. In, Kaduson, Heidi & Schaefer, Charles (Ed.). 101 365体育投注 Favorite Play 365体育投注rapy Techniques, pp. 451-455. Northvale, New Jersey. Jason Aronson, Inc.
• Hickey, Deborah Armstrong. (Fall, 2000) Book Review: Child Development, A Practitioner’s Model. In the California Association for Play 365体育投注rapy, Newsletter.
• Hickey, Deborah Armstrong. (Summer, 2000) Book Review: 365体育投注 Boy who Dreamed of an Acorn. In California Association for Play 365体育投注rapy. Newsletter.
• Hickey, Deborah Armstrong. (Spring, 2000) 365体育投注 Relationship between Supervisory Training and Quality of Supervision Experiences Among MFT Trainees and Interns. In, California Association for Marriage and Family 365体育投注rapists, Newsletter.
• Hickey, Deborah Armstrong. (1988). Validation of Lucid Dreaming in School Age Children. In, 365体育投注 Lucidity Letter. Volume 7, No. 2.

Presentations

• Armstrong, Deborah. May, 2022. Playing & the Brain: Nourishment For Growing Well at ay Age! 365体育投注 University of Utara: Keynote/Invited Talk.
• Armstrong, Deborah. September, 2020, ongoing. Focusing Infused 365体育投注rapy Training Program (FIT). 365体育投注 Mindgarden Centre, Greenville, SC.
• Armstrong, Deborah. March, 2020. Innerplay: Playing in 365体育投注rapy with Adults. South Carolina Association for Play 365体育投注rapy. Greenville, SC.
• Armstrong, Deborah, June & July, 2019, Sandtray and Expressive Arts Certificate Program (SEAT Program), a 40 Hour Certificate Program, 365体育投注 Empowerment Center, Washington, D.C.
• Armstrong, Deborah. March, 2019. Dreamplay & Innerplay: Two Central Threads in Knowing & Growing Ourselves. Keynote Presenter: Invited: International Association for Dance 365体育投注rapy. Beijing, China.
• Armstrong, Deborah, January – August, 2018, Dreamwork and Expressive Arts Practices in 365体育投注rapy, DEAPTH Certificate Program, 365体育投注 Mindgarden Centre, Greenville, SC
• Armstrong, Deborah. April, 2018. CPR: Creating Preferred Realities through Focusing, Dreams, & Expressive Arts. Ananda Cottages. Bali. Indonesia.
• Armstrong, Deborah, (with Elizabeth Walker). March, 2018, Peer-Reviewed Workshop. Mending Beautifully: Playing with Adults in 365体育投注rapy. South Carolina Association for Play 365体育投注rapy. Greer, SC.
• Armstrong, Deborah (with Elizabeth Walker), October, 2017, Peer-Reviewed Workshop. Mending Beautifully: Growing Coherent Narratives through Expressive Arts 365体育投注rapies. 365体育投注 Expressive Summit. New York City.
• Armstrong, Deborah, July & November, 2017, Dreamwork and Expressive Arts Practices in 365体育投注rapy, DEAPTH Certificate Program, Creative Arts Institute, Beijing, China.
• Armstrong, Deborah, July, 2017, Invited Workshop, Integrating Expressive Arts & Playful Practices into Solution Focused & Narrative 365体育投注rapy with Families, Taiwanese Association of Couple and Family 365体育投注rapy, Annual Conference, Taipei, Taiwan.
• Armstrong, Deborah, July, 2017, Invited Presentation, Interpersonal Neurobiology & Family 365体育投注rapy, Taiwanese Association of Couple and Family 365体育投注rapy, Annual Conference, Taipei, Taiwan.
• Armstrong, Deborah, June, 2017, Dreaming as a Fundamental Experience in Being, Peer-reviewed Presentation, International Association for the Study of Dreams, Annual Conference, Anaheim, California.
• Armstrong, Deborah, June, 2017, Somatic Practices in Dreamwork: Sculpting, Authentic Movement, and Constellating, Peer-Reviewed Workshop, International Association for the Study of Dreams, Annual Conference, Anaheim, California.
• Armstrong, Deborah, April 2017, Dreaming as a Fundamental Experience in Being, Invited Keynote Presentation, International Association for the Study of Dreams, Regional Conference, Greenville, SC.