Spencer A. McWilliams
Education:
Certificate, 2000 Harvard University Management & Leadership in Education
Ph.D., 1971 University of Rochester Psychology
B.A., 1966 California State University, Long Beach Psychology
A.A., 1964 Otero Junior College Liberal Arts
Employment History:
2001-present: CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SAN MARCOS, San Marcos, California
2004-present Professor of Psychology
2003-2004 Assistant to the Provost
2001-2003 Dean, College of Arts & Sciences
1998-2001: UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON – CLEAR LAKE, Houston, Texas
Dean, School of Human Sciences and Humanities
Professor of Clinical Psychology
1994-1998: NAROPA UNIVERSITY, Boulder, Colorado
Vice President for Academic Affairs
1989-1994: WARREN WILSON COLLEGE, Asheville, North Carolina
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College
1985-1989: WINTHROP UNIVERSITY, Rock Hill, South Carolina
1988-1989 Acting Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
1985-1988 Chair, Department of Psychology
1985-1989 Professor of Psychology
1971-1985: UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA, Tucson, Arizona
1984-1985 Coordinator, Undergraduate Studies in Psychology
1979-1980 Visiting Research Fellow, University of London (sabbatical leave)
1977-1985 Associate Professor of Psychology
1975-1978 Director, Doctoral Training in Clinical Psychology
1972-1975 Director, Research & Evaluation, Tucson East Community Mental Health Center
1971-1977 Assistant Professor of Psychology
Teaching Experience:
California State University San Marcos (2004-present):
Undergraduate: Psychology for Living, Psychology of Personality, History of Psychology
University of Houston—Clear Lake (1998 - 2001):
Undergraduate: Theories of Personality
Graduate: Clinic Practicum
Naropa University (1994 - 1998):
Undergraduate: Personality Theories
Warren Wilson College (1989-1994):
Undergraduate: Senior Seminar: The Inward and Outward Journey, Theories and Techniques in Counseling and Psychotherapy, Theories of Personality, Integrative Studies Thesis.
Winthrop University (1985-1989):
Undergraduate: General Psychology, Theories of Personality, Critical Issues Symposium, Seminar: The "Reality" of Science.
Graduate: Introduction to Counseling, Therapeutic Psychology.
University of Arizona (1971-1985):
Undergraduate: Introduction to Psychology, Social Psychology, Theories of Personality, Abnormal Psychology, Advanced Psychopathology, Psychology of Consciousness, Psychology of Science.
Graduate: Introduction to Clinical Psychology, Community Psychology, Theories of Psychotherapy, Personality Theory and Research, Humanistic Psychology, Seminars: Psychopathology, Psychotherapy, Personal Construct Psychology, Practica: Psychotherapy, Community Psychology.
Graduate Research Supervision
University of Wollongong (Australia), 1999, Ph.D. Dissertation Examiner
University of Arizona, 1971-1985:
Ph.D. Dissertation: Director 11; Reader 26
M.A. Thesis: Director 12; Reader 25
Clinical Psychology Training and Experience:
1986-1988 Clinical Consultant, Student Counseling Service, Winthrop University. Individual counseling and psychotherapy.
1971-1985 Clinic Supervisor, Psychology Clinic, University of Arizona. Supervision of trainees in individual psychotherapy, community consultation.
1979-1980 Diploma, Therapy & Counseling, Centre for Personal Construct Psychology, London. Psychotherapy, repertory grid assessment.
1973-1976 Certified Teacher, Re-Evaluation Counseling. Trained counselors, led workshops, in peer counseling.
1970-1971 Clinical Psychology Trainee, School of Medicine, University of Rochester. Child play therapy, parent counseling.
1970-1971 Research Assistant, Center for Community Study, University of Rochester. Training of paraprofessionals, school consultation.
1968-1970 Psychology Trainee, Veterans Administration Hospitals, Syracuse and Canandaigua, NY. Diagnostic testing, individual and group psychotherapy, ward administration.
Editorial Reviewer for:
Psychological Bulletin, American Journal of Community Psychology, Law and Human Behavior, International Journal of Personal Construct Psychology, Columbia University Press, Personal Construct Theory and Practice, The Humanistic Psychologist.
Publications:
Book Chapters:
1. McWilliams, S. A. (2004). Constructive alternativism and self. In J.D. Raskin & S.K. Bridges (Eds). Studies in meaning 2: Bridging the personal and social in constructivist psychology (pp. 291-309). New York: Pace University Press.
2. McWilliams, S. A. (2003). Belief, attachment, and awareness. In F. Fransella (Ed.) International handbook of personal construct psychology (pp. 75-82). London: Wiley.
3. McWilliams, S. A. (2000). Core constructs and ordinary mind Zen. In J. W. Scheer (Ed.) The person in society: Challenges to a constructivist theory (pp. 261-271). Giessen (Germany): Psychosozial-Verlag.
4. McWilliams, S. A. (1996). Accepting the invitational. In B. E. Walker, J. Costigan, L. L. Viney, & W. Warren (Eds.) Personal construct theory: A psychology for the future (pp. 57-78). Melbourne: Australian Psychological Society (APS Imprint Books).
5. McWilliams, S. A. (1988). On becoming a personal anarchist. In F. Fransella & L. Thomas (Eds.) Experimenting with personal construct psychology (pp. 17-25). London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Refereed Journal Articles:
1. McWilliams, S. A. (2004). On further reflection. Personal Construct Theory & Practice, 1, 1-7.
2. McWilliams, S. A. (1993). The sacred way of liberal arts. Journal of General Education, 42 (4), 255-269.
3. McWilliams, S. A. (1993). Construct no idols. International Journal of Personal Construct Psychology, 6 (3) 269-280.
4. McWilliams, S. A. (1993). Indeterminacy and the construction of personal knowledge. Tradition and Discovery: The Polanyi Society Periodical, 19 (2), 5-11.
5. McKinley, V. & McWilliams, S. A. (1992). Assessment through the senior letter. Assessment Update: Progress, Trends, and Practices in Higher Education, 4 (6), 9-11.
6. McWilliams, S. A. (1989). Liberal education and the anarchist insight. Perspectives: Journal of the Association for General and Liberal Studies, 19 (3), 45-50.
7. McWilliams, S. A. (1988). Construing comprehensively. International Journal of Personal Construct Psychology, 1, 219-228.
8. McWilliams, S. A. (1987). A comprehensivist approach to general education. Perspectives: Journal of the Association for General and Liberal Studies, 17, (1) 39-46.
9. McWilliams, S. A. (1979). Effects of reciprocal peer counseling on college student personality development. Journal of the American College Health Association, 27, 210-213.
10. Beaver, W., Buck, F. M., & McWilliams, S. A. (1979). Issues in replicating the trauma-stren conversion. American Journal of Community Psychology, 7, 129-136.
11. McWilliams, S. A., Lewis, S. B., Balch, P., & Ireland, J. (1979). Sample bias in questionnaire completion at a community mental health center. American Journal of Community Psychology, 7, 107-110.
12. McWilliams, S. A. & Gerber, K. E. (1978). A comprehensive mental health epidemiology survey of a university population. Journal of College Student Personnel, 19, 128-131.
13. Balch, P., McWilliams, S. A., Lewis, S., & Ireland, J. (1978). Clients' treatment expectations at a community mental health center. American Journal of Community Psychology, 6, 105-114.
14. Balch, P., Ireland, J., McWilliams, S. A., & Lewis, S. B. (1977). Client evaluation of mental health services: Relation to demographic and treatment variables. American Journal of Community Psychology, 5, 243-248.
15. McWilliams, S. A. & Lewis, S. B. (1976). Community mental health ideology and activity interest. American Journal of Community Psychology, 4, 351-355.
16. Kahn, M. W., McWilliams, S. A., Balch, P., Chang, A. F., & Ireland, J. (1976). Developing a rural mental health service from a base in an academic clinical psychology program. American Journal of Community Psychology, 4, 113-127.
17. McWilliams, S. A. (1975). Use of census data to assess community mental health services. Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 26, 720-725.
18. Balch, P. & McWilliams, S. A. (1975). Community-based program evaluation through a graduate practicum in community psychology. Professional Psychology, 6, 331-336.
19. McWilliams, S. A. & Morris, L. A. (1974). Community attitudes about mental health services. Community Mental Health Journal, 10, 236-242.
20. McWilliams, S. A. & Tuttle, R. J. (1973). Long term psychological effects of LSD. Psychological Bulletin, 79, 341-351.
21. McWilliams, S. A. & Underwood, M. (1973). The Health Opinion Survey as a self-report epidemiological instrument. Journal of Community Psychology, 1, 335-338.
22. Cowen, E. L., Dorr, D., Clarfield, S., Kreling, B., McWilliams, S. A., Pokracki, F., Pratt, D. M., Terrell, D., & Wilson, A. (1973). The AML: A quick-screening device for early identification of school maladaptation. American Journal of Community Psychology, 1, 12-35.
23. McWilliams, S. A. & Finkel, N. J. (1973). High school students as mental health aides in the elementary school setting. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 40, 39-42.
24. McWilliams, S. A. (1972). A process analysis of nonprofessional intervention with children. Journal of School Psychology, 10, 267-377.
25. Terrell, D. L., McWilliams, S. A., & Cowen, E. L. (1972). Description and evaluation of group-work training for nonprofessional child-aides in a school mental health program. Psychology in the Schools, 9, 70-75.
26. Cowen, E. L., Dorr, D., Sandler, I., & McWilliams, S. A. (1971). Utilization of a nonprofessional child-aide school mental health program. Journal of School Psychology, 9, 131-136.
Book Reviews:
1. McWilliams, S. A. (1994). Constructing a story of life's mission. [Review of The sense of vocation: A study of career and life development.] Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 7 (1), 67-71.
2. McWilliams, S. A. (1992). Turning ground into figure. [Review of Gestalt reconsidered: A new approach to contact and resistance.] Contemporary Psychology, 37 (7), 640-641.
3. McWilliams, S. A. (1992). Fostering sociality: Techniques for improving marital role relationships. [Review of Enhancing marital intimacy through facilitating cognitive self-disclosure.] International Journal of Personal Construct Psychology, 5 (1), 113-116.
4. McWilliams, S. A. (1981). Eclecticism: Comprehension or jumble? [Review of Principles of eclectic psychotherapy.] Contemporary Psychology, 26, 301.
Reprinted Articles:
1. McWilliams, S. A. & Tuttle, R. J. (1974). Long term psychological effects of LSD. Psychiatry Digest, 35, 32.
2. McWilliams, S. A. & Finkel, N. J. (1973). High School students as mental health aides in the elementary school setting. Mental Health Digest, 5, 41-43.
Other Articles:
1. McWilliams, S. A. (1997). Contemplative engagement at home and abroad. Proceedings of the 14th Annual International Conference of the International Partnership for Service Learning, 29-32.
2. McWilliams, S. A. (1991). Interdisciplinary study at Warren Wilson College. Association for Integrative Studies Newsletter, 13 (2), 12.
3. McWilliams, S. A. (1990). What is the value of education? Owl and Spade (Warren Wilson College Alumni Magazine), 66 (4), 4.
4. McWilliams, S. A. (1989). The nature of a liberal arts education. Winthrop Magazine, 1 (4), 6, 29.
5. McWilliams, S. A. (1984). Construing and Buddhist psychology. Constructs (Journal of the Centre for Personal Construct Psychology, London), 3 (1), 1-2.
Doctoral Dissertation:
McWilliams, S. A. (1972). A process analysis of a school based mental health program. Dissertation Abstracts International, 33, 918B. (University Microfilms No. ADG72-18825)
Refereed Conference Presentations:
1. McWilliams, S. A. (2006, July). Constructive-isms: A conversation on some constructivist contexts. Paper presented at the 12th Biennial Conference of the Constructivist Psychology Network, San Marcos, California.
2. McWilliams, S. A. (2005, July). Fabricating emptiness: Zen Buddhism and constructivist psychology. Workshop presented at the 16th International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, Columbus, Ohio.
3. McWilliams, S. A. (2005, July). The middle way and conventional reality. Paper presented at the 16th International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, Columbus, Ohio.
4.
McWilliams, S. A. (2004, June). Impermanence, emptiness, and
dependent Origination:
Buddhist concepts and constructivist theory. Workshop presented at The 11th
Biennial Conference of the North American Personal Construct Network, Memphis,
Tennessee.
5. McWilliams, S. A. (2003, July). Reflecting on Constructive Alternativism. Paper presented at the 15th International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom.
6. McWilliams, S. A. (2002, July). Constructive Alternativism: Searching for the Core. Paper presented at the 10th Biennial Conference of the North American Personal Construct Network, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
7. McWilliams, S. A. & McWilliams, M. J. (2000, March). Student attitudes toward their role as students. Paper presented at the 11th Annual Teaching Academic Survival Skills conference, West Palm Beach, Florida.
8. McWilliams, S. A. (1999, July). Construing contemplation. In J. R. Forster & S. A. McWilliams (Chairs). Constructive construing of meditation. Symposium presented at the 13th International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, Berlin, Germany.
9. McWilliams, S. A. (1997, February). Contemplative engagement at home and abroad. Poster session presented at the 14th annual international conference of the Partnership for Service Learning, Kingston, Jamaica.
10. McWilliams, S. A. (1996, July). A contemplative approach to higher education. Paper presented at the conference “Teaching From Within,” Blue Sky Associates, Northfield, Minnesota.
11. McWilliams, S. A. (1994, September). An ethos for transcending Babel. Paper presented to the 16th Annual Conference of the Association for Integrative Studies, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
12. McWilliams, S. A. (1993, November). Service learning within a liberal arts triad. In M. L. Grant (Chair) Community service learning initiatives. Symposium presented at the 21st Annual Deans Institute of the Council of Independent Colleges, San Diego, California.
13. McWilliams, S. A. (1993, October). Diverse voices and an ethos for public conversation. Paper presented at the 33rd Annual Conference of the Association for General and Liberal Studies, Memphis, Tennessee.
14. McWilliams, S. A. (1993, July). I accept, with pleasure, the invitation(al). Plenary session paper presented at the 10th International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
15. McWilliams, S. A. (1992, November). Seeking unity within diversity. Paper presented at the 14th Annual Conference of the Association for Integrative Studies, Pomona, California.
16. McWilliams, S. A. (1991, October). Reflections on the church of the liberal arts. Paper presented at the 31st Annual Convention of the Association for General and Liberal Studies, Seattle, Washington.
17. McWilliams, S. A. (1991, August). Make for yourself no idol. Paper presented at the 9th International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, Albany, New York.
18. McWilliams, S. A. (1991, April). Indeterminacy, possibility, and commitment in personal knowing. Paper presented at the conference, "From Polanyi to the 21st Century: A Centennial Celebration," Kent, Ohio.
19. McWilliams, S. A. (1990, November). Belief, value, and the fundamental impulse. Paper presented at the 12th Annual Conference of the Association for Integrative Studies, Manchester, New Hampshire.
20. McWilliams, S. A. (1990, September). Senior letter as an assessment tool. Paper presented at the University of Kentucky Faculty Scholars Program Conference "General Education in Liberal Arts Colleges: Assessing Student Outcomes," Lexington, Kentucky.
21. McWilliams, S. A. (1990, September). Mission statement, process indicators, and institutional planning. Paper presented at the University of Kentucky Faculty Scholars Program Conference "General Education in Liberal Arts Colleges: Assessing Student Outcomes," Lexington, Kentucky.
22. McWilliams, S. A. (1989, October). Liberal education and the anarchist insight. Paper presented at the 29th Annual Convention of the Association for General and Liberal Studies, Indianapolis, Indiana.
23. McWilliams, S. A. (1987, August). Construing comprehensively. Paper presented at the 7th International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, Memphis, Tennessee.
24. McWilliams, S. A. (1986, October). A comprehensivist approach to general education. Paper presented at the 26th Annual Convention of the Association for General and Liberal Studies, Snowbird, Utah.
25. McWilliams, S. A. (1985, August). On becoming a personal anarchist. Paper presented at the 6th International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, Cambridge, England.
26. McWilliams, S. A. (1983, July). Construing and nirvana. Paper presented at the 5th International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
27. McWilliams, S. A. (1981, July). Explorations in the psychology of science. Paper presented at the 4th International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada.
28. McWilliams, S. A. (1979, July). Emotional expression and construct transition. Paper Presented at the 3rd International Congress on Personal Construct Psychology, Breukelen, The Netherlands.
29. Balch, P., Lewis, S., McWilliams, S. A., & Ireland, J. (1976, September). Clients' treatment expectations at a community mental health center. Paper presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, Washington, D. C.
30. Balch, P. & McWilliams, S. A. (1975, April). Training program evaluators through a graduate practicum in community psychology. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Sacramento, California.
31. McWilliams, S. A. (1974, August). Planning a community mental health clinic through a graduate practicum in community psychology. In C. D. Spielberger (Chair), Developing a rural community mental health service from a base in an academic clinical psychology program. Symposium presented at the meeting of the American Psychological Association, New Orleans, Louisiana.
32. McWilliams, S. A. (1974, April). Evaluating a community mental health center: Problems, pitfalls, and solutions. In L. A. Morris (Chair), Evaluation in the informal environment: Problems, pitfalls, and solutions. Symposium presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, San Francisco, California.
33. McWilliams, S. A. (1973, April). A brief, self-report epidemiological instrument. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Anaheim, California.
34. McWilliams, S. A. (1972, April). Interaction processes between nonprofessional child-aides and elementary school children. Paper presented at the meeting of the Western Psychological Association, Portland, Oregon.
Selected Invited Presentations:
1. McWilliams, S. A. (2001, May). What is your education worth? Commencement address (Alvin Community College & University of Houston—Clear Lake), Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Darlington Unit, Rosharon, Texas.
2. McWilliams, S. A. (2000, February). Self image in ordinary mind Zen. Presentation to the Transpersonal Psychology Association, University of Houston--Clear Lake, Houston, Texas.
3. McWilliams, S. A. (1999, February). Liberal arts education: What does it mean? What is it worth? Lyceum Presentation, San Jacinto College—South, Pearland, Texas.
4. McWilliams, S. A. (1989, August). The value of an education: Is there any number greater than 100? Convocation address, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, North Carolina.
5. McWilliams, S. A. (1979). Psychological helpers: Paraprofessionals and peers. Colloquium presented at:
The Max-Planck Institute, Munich, West Germany, (July)
Crichton Royal Hospital, Dumfries, Scotland, (November).
