Hi!

My name is Karen. I am the developer and author of Psych-Net Mental Health, (psych-net.com) and all of the related pages. I'm a therapist and instructor and I have worked in the field for over a decade. I have studied psychology, in one form or another, for over 35 years. I have taught parenting classes, and couples classes at work, in my church and in the community. I have worked as a Family Advocate/Parent Advocate (working with teens and their families). I lead therapy groups for at-risk parents, domestic violence offenders, and juvenile offenders; as well as anger management, and alcohol and drug prevention groups. I've worked in private practice, at a children's residential treatment center for severely abused children, at clinics for treatment of violent abusers and their families, and with families, couples, individuals, and children.

Besides having interest in psychology, I have also worked as a vocational nurse, an emergency medical technician, a drafts-person, dance instructor, an administrative buisness accountant, and a Sunday School teacher. I'm also a published poet and artist.

My family and I have been involved in community theatre for many years. I like to paint, read, write, and travel. I love music and I enjoy a wide variety of hobbies including gardening, outdoor sports, animals, and computing. I have been married to the same man since 1976 and I have two grown boys, and a nephew which we raised.

The information on my web pages comes from a variety of sources including my own experience, work experience, seven years of formal education, books and manuals (see references). I have been involved in research pertaining to eating disorders, dissociation, domestic violence and parenting.

If you would like to write to me feel free. I cannot do on-line therapy, but I'm willing to listen and perhaps offer my personal insight. Please take the time over the next few weeks to read through my pages. There are about 90 of them on many psych-related topics; and I add new pages periodically. My parenting lessons are especially helpful and the techniques described there can be utilized in nearly any relationship you might be having trouble with. If you wish to let me know you were here, just sign my guest book (below). I look forward to hearing from you.

Written material from these pages may not be reprinted in any form and/or used for profit without written permission from Psych-Net.com unless otherwise stated. Use for free distribution or for personal use must contain proper references and siting, i.e. Karen Dougherty MS, Psych-Net Mental Health - "http://www.psych-net.com", Copyright since1996.

E-Mail for copyright information.