Steven James, PhD

Core Faculty

Teaching Philosophy

My philosophy of teaching centers on a commitment to meet students where they are at in their development as scholars and psychologists, while maintaining a realistic understanding of the demands of the professional marketplace and our profession’s ethics. I am interested in our graduates being license-eligible and being competitive applicants to doctoral programs. I am also interested in our students and graduates being effective agents for improvements in the field of psychology (clinical, community, and educational) and their communities.

I have been teaching at Goddard since 1993. I left clinical practice to devote my professional efforts to teaching, research, and consulting. My academic interests include: ethnic minority issues, human sexuality and sexual orientation, hospice counseling and death & dying, community psychology, family therapy and mixed-race/adoptive family issues, violence prevention, ethics, qualitative research methods, cultural competencies, psychology and films, and gestalt therapy.

Education

  • PhD in Clinical Psychology, Union Institute
  • AB in Psychology, Dartmouth College
  • AB in Philosophy, Dartmouth College
  • Post-Doc Tutorial, Marriage and Family Therapy, Dr. Stella R. Goldberg, Approved Supervisor, American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, Tampa, FL

Areas of Expertise

  • Community interventions for the prevention of violence against gay and lesbian youths
  • Family systems related to the special issues of gay and lesbian parents and children, adoptive and foster families, and mixed-race families
  • AIDS and hospice care
  • Cultural competencies in mental health services
  • I have a personal interest in Native American spiritual practices in mental health

Meaningful Action in the World

In addition to consulting to professional organizations and businesses, I have worked as: the clinical director of the Boston Gay and Lesbian Adolescent Social Services, the managing partner in two group practices, a trainer for the American Psychological Association in AIDS Psychology, a substance abuse counselor, a mental health counselor in two psychiatric hospitals, and as a counselor to other Peace Corps volunteers in Benin, West Africa. I have served as an Associate Editor for an APA journal, Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology.

I am a former Trustee of the American Psychological Foundation (APF). I am President Emeritus of The Society for the Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity of the American Psychological Association (APA). I am also President Emeritus of The Society for the Psychological Study of Culture, Ethnicity and Race of the APA. I have experience in APA governance, as a member of the Committee for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns. I am a current or past member of: The American Counseling Association, the Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology, The Society of Indian Psychologists, The Society for Couple and Family Psychology (APA Division 43), and the American Association of University Professors. My husband, Todd, and our sons, Greg and Max, live on Cape Cod.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Publications

  • James, S.E. (2007). “A Personal Journey with Cancer.” A blog on the Goddard College Homepage (www.Goddard.edu), http://www.goddard.edu/cancer_blog
  • Downs, A. C., & James, S. E. (2006). Gay, lesbian, and bisexual foster parents: Strengths and challenges for the child welfare system. Child Welfare, 85 (2), 281-298.
  • James, S.E. (2005). Community GLBT Youth Groups. In James T. Sears (Ed.), Youth, education, and sexualities: An international encyclopedia. Westport, CT: Greenwood Publishing Group.
  • James, S.E. (2002). Clinical themes in gay and lesbian parented adoptive families. Clinical Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 7(3), 475-486.
  • Bingham, R.P., Porché-Burke, L., James, S.E., Sue, D.W., & Vasquez, M.J.T. (2002). Introduction: A report on the National Multicultural Conference and Summit II. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 8(2), 75-87. James, S.E. (2000). Lesbian and gay adoptions: An introduction to emerging clinical and ethical issues. Lesbian & Gay Psychology Review, 1(1), 4-10. Henning-Stout, M. &
  • James, S.E. (2000). Reducing harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth in schools. School Psychology Review, 29(2), 180 – 191.
  • James, S.E. (1998). Fulfilling the promise: Community response to the needs of sexual minority youth and families. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry 68 (3), 447-454.
  • James, S.E. & Murphy, B.C. (1998). Gay and lesbian relationships in a changing social context. In C.J. Patterson & A.R. D’Augelli (Eds.), Lesbian, gay and bisexual identities in families: Psychological perspectives. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Henning-Stout, M. & James, S.E. (Eds.). (1996, October). Working with gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth in schools: A bibliography for school psychologists. Communiqué, 25 (Insert 2) (2), 1-6. [Reprinted in A.S. Canter and S.A. Carrol (Eds.), Helping children at home and school: Handouts from your school psychologist (pp. 469-474). Bethesda, MD: National Association of School Psychologists.]
  • James, S.E. (1995). Death and diversity: Cultural differences in approaches to death and dying. In M. Tarpley (Ed.), The Massachusetts department of mental health second symposium for mental health professionals of color (pp. 124-128). Boston: Massachusetts Department of Mental Health.

Selected Professional Presentations

  • Perspectives from a Gay Male Native American Psychologist. American Psychological Association 2014 Annual Convention, Washington, DC (2014, August). Chair, Eduardo Morales, Ph.D. In LGBT People of Color: Histories and Conversations with Pioneers. Symposium on how far the APA and psychology have come in terms of attending to concerns of LGBT psychologists of color and the communities in which they serve.
  • Advanced Skills in Culturally Competent Services. Sites including Child & Family Services, Hyannis, MA, and the New Hampshire Coalition to End Homelessness, Manchester, NH (2012 – 2013). Symposia (CEU’s) for skills-building in cultural competency in counseling and supervision of therapists.
  • Diversity and Division 51: What’s in it for you?, Invited Address. American Psychological Association 2009 Annual Convention, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (2009, August). Presentation of strategies for greater inclusion of diversity in the Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity.
  • Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Foster Parents Tell Their Stories. Chris Downs, Ph.D., co-presenter. True Colors 2007 Annual Conference, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain, CT (2007, March). Symposia on practical applications for mental health workers and caseworkers of the lessons learned from our research on such parents.
  • Flexibility as an Extreme Sport. American Psychological Association 2006 Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA (2006, August). Chair, Alfiee Breland-Noble, Ph.D. In Being a Parent and a Professional: Is balancing strategic? Symposium on collisions between work and family issues in families.
  • Clinical Issues in Mixed-Race, Adoptive Families. American Psychological Association 2006 Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA (2006, August). Chair. In Multiple Minority Issues in Clinical Psychology. Symposium on various clinical perspectives on issues facing multiple minority families, including adoptive, mixed-race, and gay parented families.
  • Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Foster Parents: Strengths and challenges for the child welfare system. Chris Downs, Ph.D., co-presenter. University of Pennsylvania/Family Pride Coalition Inaugural Symposium on Contemporary Research about LGBT-headed Families, Philadelphia, PA (2006, May). Symposium on cutting-edge research findings relevant to LGBT-headed families, their children, and their communities.
  • Coming In: A journey of creating a mixed-race, gay-parented family. American Psychological Association 2005 Annual Convention, Washington, DC (2005, August). Chair, Doug Haldeman, Ph.D. In Clinical and Cultural Issues in Same-Sex Marriage and Parenting. Symposium on ethical and clinical issues in mixed-race, same-sex families.
  • Models of Progressive Education and Community Development. Annual Convention of American Indian Psychologists and Psychology Graduate Students, Logan, Utah (June, 2005). CE symposium on the growing opportunities available to Tribes and Nations for community development through collaboration with progressive educational institutions.
  • A Brief History of the Muskogee Nation and Its Lessons for Division 45. American Psychological Association 2004 Annual Convention, Honolulu, HI (2004, August). Presidential Address to the annual meeting of the Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues, Division 44 of the APA.
  • Professional Development for Native Americans in the American Psychological Association. Annual Convention of American Indian Psychologists and Psychology Graduate Students, Logan, Utah (June, 2003). Chair, Douglas McDonald, Ph.D. In APA Indians. CE symposium on the value of working within the APA for professional development.
  • Harassment of GLBT Youth: Creating Safe places. Georgia Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA (June, 2002). CE workshop on ways psychologists can contribute to community responses to harassment of sexual minority youth.
  • Special Concerns Facing GLBT Parents. Georgia Psychological Association, Atlanta, GA (June, 2002). CE workshop on clinical issues facing GLBT parents. Discussant, Research on Clinical Treatment of and Attitudes toward Transgender Persons. American Psychological Association 2001 Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA (August, 2001). Chair, Nikao Embaye, Ph.D. Symposium on current clinical issues facing therapists who work with Trans clients.
  • Gay Male Parenting, Gender, and Relational Opportunity. American Psychological Association 2001 Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA (August, 2001). Chair, Marcus Tye, Ph.D. In Perspectives on Lesbian and Gay Parenting. Symposium on recent advances in research relevant to gay and lesbian parented families.
  • Themes of Challenge: Clinical Issues in Gay and Lesbian Parenting. American Psychological Association 2001 Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA (August, 2001). Chairs, Larry Morris, Ph.D. and Holly Sweet, Ph.D. In Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual parenting: Clinical and Research Issues. Symposium on clinical and policy issues as they relate to research on lesbian and gay parented families.
  • The View from Division 44. American Psychological Association 2000 Annual Convention, Washington, D.C. (2000, August). Chair, Judith Van Hoorn, Ph.D. In Building Cultures of Peace and Responding to Social Injustice. Symposium on activities within APA Divisions to further causes for social justice.
  • Gay and Lesbian Parents: Issues of Adoption and Foster Parenting. American Psychological Association 1999 Annual Convention, Boston, MA (1999, August). Co-Chair with Chris Downs, Ph.D. Conversation hour on emerging trends in research on queer parent adoptions and foster parenting experiences.
  • Keeping a Seat for Elijah: Addressing the Unfinished Business of Division 44. American Psychological Association 1999 Annual Convention, Boston, MA (1999, August). Presidential Address to the annual meeting of the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Issues, Division 44 of the APA.
  • Lessons from the Nomads: Concepts of Identity in Gay and Lesbian Families. University College London, London, England (1998, March). Keynote Address to this inaugural European conference on gay and lesbian youth and families.
  • Gay and Lesbian Parenting. University College London, London, England (1998, March). Workshop presented at this inaugural European conference on gay and lesbian youth and families.
  • Gay and Lesbian Parenting: Adoptions, Revelations, Separations, and Foster Parents. American Psychological Association 1998 Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA (1998, August). Chair. Participants, Connie Chan, Ph.D., Jim Fitzgerald, Ph.D., Chris Downs, Ph.D., and Charlotte Patterson, Ph.D. Symposium presenting current issues facing lesbian and gay parents, and research on gay and lesbian foster parents. Divisions 44 and 45: Are they Safe Places for Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual People of Color to be All of Who They Are? American Psychological Association 1998 Annual Convention,
  • Division 44 Convention Suite Program, San Francisco, CA (1998, August). Co-Chair with Derald Sue, Ph.D. A follow-up to the convention 1997 workshop about how multiple minority statuses complicate participation in these divisions.
  • Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Students: Fostering Academic Development. American Psychological Association 1997 Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, (1997, August). Chair, Susan Cochran, Ph.D., Committee on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns. Panel presentation on issues faced by sexual minority, graduate psychology students and the impact of APA’s Committee on Accreditation’s new interpretation of diversity guidelines.
  • Reducing Harassment of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Youth in Schools. American Psychological Association 1996 Annual Convention, Toronto, Ontario, (1996, August). Primary presenter, with Mary Henning-Stout, Ph.D. Continuing Education Workshop presenting profiles of successful community and school-based programs that reduce harassment of sexual minority youth and skills-building exercises to assist participants in developing programming appropriate to their communities and schools.
  • Death and Diversity: Cultural Differences in Approaches to Death and Dying. Massachusetts Department of Mental Health Multicultural Advisory Committee, Worcester, MA, (1995, September). Chair, Connie Chan, Ph.D. In Mental Health Research for People of Color: Defining an Agenda for the Year 2000 and Beyond. This CEU session focused on research proposals on a broad range of mental health issues facing communities of color and clinical concerns related to such issues.
  • Development and Relations in Gay and Lesbian Psychology. Eastern Maine Medical Center (EMMC) Multidisciplinary Psychiatric Grand Rounds, Bangor, ME, (1995, September). This Continuing Medical Education and Psychology CEU session was co- sponsored by Acadia Hospital, Bangor Mental Health Institute, EMMC, and the University of Maine College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Presentation and discussion focused on issues of development and relationships across the lifespan for lesbian women and gay men, with emphasis on clinical implications for therapists.
  • Perspectives, Activism, and the History of Gay and Lesbian Health. American Psychological Association 1995 Annual Convention, New York, NY, (1995, August). Co-chair, with Harold Kooden, Ph.D. Participants, Virginia Apuzzo, M.A., (Ph.D. Hon.) and Beverly Greene, Ph.D. Symposium conducted to identify new perspectives on lesbian and gay health issues and create new alliances among gay and lesbian health professionals.
  • Adolescent Gay Male Sexual Identity. Harvard Medical School, Department of Continuing Education, Cambridge, MA, (1995, June). Chair, Marshall Forstein, M.D. In The Psychotherapy of Lesbians and Gay Men. CME/CEU course offered on gay and lesbian psychotherapy issues from developmental, theoretical, and clinical perspectives.
  • The Importance of Alumni/ae Support to Building Your Gay and Lesbian Student Organization. Convention of the Northeastern Gay and Lesbian Student Organizations, sponsored by the Greater Boston Business Council, Boston, MA, (1994, October). Chair, Curt Shepard, Ph.D. Presentation on strategies for developing and sustaining resources among gay and lesbian alumni/ae, focusing on the experiences of the Network of Gay and Lesbian Alums and the Dartmouth Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association.
  • Safety First: The roles of respect, communication, and consensus in organizational growth and planning. Annual Meeting of the Network of Gay and Lesbian Alums Associations, New York, NY, (1994, June). President, Chuck Edwards. Retreat for this national organization’s Board of Directors to improve their patterns of conflict resolution, decision-making, and strategic planning.
  • Systems Approaches to Therapy with Gay and Lesbian Families. The Ackerman Institute for Family Therapy, New York, NY (1994, June). Co-chairs, Pat Colucci, Ph.D. and Barbara Rothberg, Ph.D. In Lesbian and Gay Families’ Therapy Colloquium. Conference on issues related to the developing body of knowledge on family therapies with gay and lesbian families, the language of the field related to these clinical interactions, and the education of other professionals in the field.
  • Native American Families and Their Responses to HIV. American Psychological Association 1993 Annual Convention, Toronto, Ontario, (1993, August). Chair, Louisa Medrano, Ph.D. In Mental Health Services to Ethnic Minority Families Affected by HIV Disease. Symposium conducted on the impact of HIV and AIDS on ethnic minority families and implications for psychotherapeutic treatments.
  • Therapeutic Issues for Gay and Lesbian College Students. The University of South Florida, Tampa Campus, Student Counseling Services, Tampa, FL, (1993, March). Chair, Martha Putney, Ph.D. In-service presentation to clinical staff on special issues presented by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and questioning youth.
  • Cross-Cultural Experiences of a Gay Native American Psychologist. American Psychological Association 1992 Annual Convention, Washington, DC, (1992, August). Chair, Leah Fygetakis, Ph.D. In Lesbian and Gay Reflections on Graduate Training and Professional Development. Symposium conducted to address issues of discrimination experienced by lesbians and gay men in the field of psychology and their ways of finding empowerment and growth in the face of homophobia and heterosexism, as well as racial, gender, and physical disability prejudice.
  • AIDS and Suicide. Charter Hospital of Pasco County, Lutz, FL, (1992, March). Chair, Eric Kaplan, M.D. In AIDS and Mental Health Practitioners. Symposium conducted on general and special issues confronting mental health professionals working with AIDS.
  • Strategies for Developing Programs of Support for Gay and Lesbian Youth. Metropolitan Community Churches of America, 1991 Southeast District Conference, Sabal Park, FL, (1991, November). Workshop delivered to ministers and church administrators on program planning and community outreach for lesbian, gay, and questioning youth.

Selected Editorial Experience

  • Consulting Editor, Psychology of Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity (member of the founding editorial board for the journal of APA’s Division 44), 2013 – 2020.
  • Associate Editor, Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology, 2000 – 2004.
  • Guest Editor (with Mary Henning-Stout, Ph.D.), School Psychology Review, Mini-Series on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth, 2000, July.
  • Ad Hoc Reviewer, American Psychologist, Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, The Journal of Sex Research, and International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Selected Professional and Community Service

  • Member, the Scientific Committee of the 3rd World Conference on Qualitative Research, 2018.
  • Trustee, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 2013 to 2019.
  • Trustee, American Psychological Foundation, 2002 to 2011.
  • Member, Human Rights Campaign Advisory Group on “All Children – All Families Best Practices,” LGBT Families Adoptions Trainings, 2007 to 2008.
  • President, Section IV Clinical Psychology of Ethnic Minorities, in the Society of Clinical Psychology (Division 12 of the American Psychological Association), 2005 to 2006.
  • President, the Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues (Division 45 of the American Psychological Association), 2002 to 2003.
  • Division 45 Representative to the Council of National Psychological Associations for the Advancement of Ethnic Minority Issues, 2002 to 2005. Council Chair – 2004.
  • Member, Advisory Board for the Institute for the Study and promotion of Race and Culture, Lynch School of Education, Boston College, 2001 to 2003.
  • Member, National Diversity Advisory Committee, Casey Family Programs, 2001 to 2003.
  • Member, APA President’s Advisory Board, serving as advisor to Norine Johnson, Ph.D. during her administration, 2001 – 2002.
  • Coordinator, National Multicultural Summit and Conference, 1999 to 2003. Representing APA Division 44, organizing this multi-day event sponsored by the APA, NIH, NIMH, and others. Lead Coordinator for the 2003 Summit.
  • President, Massachusetts Bay District of Unitarian Universalist Association of Churches, 2000 – 2001. Responsible for administrative oversight and policy for the District’s services to the 56 member congregations. Board member, 96 – 03.
  • Member, Dartmouth Gay and Lesbian Alumni (DGALA) Board of Directors, 1995 to 2003. Dartmouth Alumni Council representative for DGALA (1999 to 2002).
  • Trainer, APA Project HOPE, providing APA Continuing Education Credits in AIDS Psychology, 1993 to 2006.
  • Presenter, National Association of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers, 1993 to 2006.
  • Member, Safe Congregations Outreach Team, Mass Bay District of Unitarian Universalist Congregations, 1995 to 2004. President, the Society for the Psychological Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans Issues (Division 44 of the American Psychological Association), 1998 to 1999.
  • Member, APA Committee on Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Concerns (CLGBC), 1995 to 1998. Liaison, for the CLGBC to the APA Committee on International Relations in Psychology and the APA Committee on Children, Youth, and Families.
  • External Reviewer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention-Intervention, Research and Support, 1997. Review team member for community-based grants from State Departments of Public Health.

steven.james@goddard.edu

Affiliation BA Psychology
MA Clinical Mental Health Counseling
MA Psychology

Location Plainfield, Vermont