I started my studies again after having been an MFT for 15 years. Though the MFT license was valuable and enabled me an opportunity to market my career, I felt the scope of practice was restricting and wanted to expand my options. Most of the educational institutions offering a degree leading to licensure as a psychologist were either too demanding financially or time wise. Using the latest technology, distance learning allowed me to devote my (valuable) time to my studies, not to travel time.

I have been a counselor since 1974 after graduation from Virginia Commonwealth University with Bachelors in Psychology. From 1974 to 1977 I worked on an adolescent unit inpatient psychiatric while earning my Masters at Virginia Commonwealth University in Rehabilitation Counseling in 1976.

I am the mother of two beautiful children that are my life. I also work full time as a Paralegal for a law firm that represents commercial and international clients in civil actions in Orlando, Florida.

I began my Juris Doctorate in 2004 and at that time I was working in a completely different field, as a Family Counselor for a non-profit agency that provided childcare for low-income families. I was looking to change my profession and pursue a childhood goal to become a lawyer. I have a lot of determination and discipline. I have always had small and big goals to accomplish in life. I think that the sky is the limit (quoting Dr. Wayne Dyer) and l really think that all things are possible if we can believe it and work hard.

As a co host with Leeza Gibbons on Health Corner, a weekly show on Lifetime Television sponsored by Walgreens, Dr. Jamie is the Executive Director and Co-founder of The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation. LGMF's signature program is Leeza's Place, "A Place for Caregivers," a dynamic national program aimed at dealing with the burnout and compassion fatigue challenges of caregivers across the country.

He currently oversees ten cities that serves thousands of caregivers every day. His innovative programming designed for caregivers and utilized by thousands around the country center around unique approaches to dealing with all "2008 caregiver challenges," both family and professional in scope.

"Dr Jamie" is a Psychologist and Board Certified licensed clinical social worker. In addition, he is a Certified Addictions Counselor,a Compassion Fatigue therapist and an Eriksonian Hypnotherapist.He uses every license and certification he has acquired in today growing, with great love, passion and dedication The Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation.

In his private practice he works with individuals, couples and families using innovative psychotherapeutic techniques.The client-therapist relationship is the essence of all of his work yesterday, today and tomorrow. Staying connected to the resilience of the transformative human spirit is vital for his presentations and his administrative life.

He is an adjunct professor at Florida International University and clinically oversees Doctoral students throughout South Florida as they learn the power of group therapy.

He speaks to general audiences on all topics ranging from caregiver burnout, mental health challenges, mind, body, soul work and corporate approaches to wellness.

Linda Hancock was born and raised in Indian Head, Saskatchewan where she completed her high school education. For the next twenty years she worked in various administrative positions, served as a volunteer in numerous organizations and was an extremely active mother of three children.

She has earned degrees in Arts, Social Work, Education and Psychology to the Doctoral level and states that she had to spend her time and money somewhere because she doesn't golf!

She is a trained mediator who has worked as a Child Welfare Case Manager and Investigator, Mental Health Consultant and educator teaching in college and university settings. Her employment has been in the fields of justice, health and education. She serves as consultant for media personnel and is also a writer who has regular columns in two newspapers.

As a Registered Psychologist and Registered Social Worker Dr. Hancock helps individuals, groups, organizations and communities to problem-solve and reach potential. She has given presentations at annual meetings, fundraising dinners, and community events for professionals, businesses, students and school personnel. She has also prepared and provided workshops on a number of topics for organizations and groups in North America and Jamaica. Linda has served as a volunteer on several local, provincial and national committees and boards. Besides the personal time spent enjoying her six grandchildren, she is a musician.

One of Linda's most requested keynote addresses is "Life is an Adventure" in which she combines her personal experiences, extensive work history and academic training into a hilarious but thought-provoking event!

Learn more at www.lindahancockspeaks.com

One of the things I love about CalSouthern is the diverse background of all the students. I came to the psychology field from stand-up comedy. The road from comedy to mental health is a short one indeed, so it's only natural that I treat a lot of creative artists now. When you are a stand-up, you only work about 30 minutes a day. I was bored, and started volunteering in the community at a shelter for sexually abused teens. I absolutely fell in love with it. It waked up the healer in me and underscored that I was not fulfilled in entertainment. It prompted me to go back to school and get a doctorate in psychology.

CalSouthern was ideal for me. I needed an affordable, convenient education. I was in my early 40's, single, and had to get a day job working 9-5, so studying at night and weekends was really the only option. While part of me missed the live classroom stimulation, I enjoyed the fact that everything I wrote was completely unbiased...totally my own voice. Little did I know then that all that discipline and writing was training for writing a book about the whole experience of midlife transitioning!

I am President of QuinLab Consulting, LLC, in Dallas, Texas. Our paramount focus is developing geological models for natural gas prospects in Colorado & Kansas capable of producing 15 BCF of recoverable reserves. I currently hold two undergraduate, five masters, & two doctorate degrees in disciplines ranging from chemistry & geology, physical science, human relations, international business, professional development & counseling, business management, project management, & psychology from Lamar University, University of Houston, Dallas Baptist University, Abilene Christian University-Dallas (currently Amberton University), California Pacific University, Aspen University, & California Southern University.

When I decided to get a doctorate degree, I knew that I needed to find a special university program that was rigorous and demanding in its academic intensity, yet flexible enough in its scheduling requirements to allow me to meet the demands of my busy life. After discovering CalSouthern University through one of the publications of my professional association, I perused the school’s various course offerings, degree requirements, and program descriptions. The university described its student profile as “those that could be self-directed.” I knew I fit that description, and I knew that CalSouthern was the perfect fit for me.

Obtaining my Doctoral Degree has provided another dimension to my professional career, replete with new opportunities for advancement. My degree allows me to build upon my past experience as a practicing Marriage and Family Therapist, as I am now afforded the opportunity to pursue my license in Clinical Psychology. With my degree now in hand, what has been merely a dream can now become a reality. Having acquired the abilities to run my own business, I am now afforded the opportunity to be seen as a business leader in my community. As an additional benefit, the dissertation work compiled in pursuit of my degree now serves as the basis for my next book.

I am a clinical member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist (CAMFT). For the last four years I have served on the Board of Directors of CAMFT. I am completing a two-year term as the Chief Financial Officer of the association and was recently elected by the membership to the position of President-Elect. In the year 2009 I will assume the position of President for CAMFT. I am deeply honored to be elected as President-Elect to the CAMFT Board of Directors.

Dr. Phillips is currently Chief Financial Officer of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapist (CAMFT) and has served on its Board of Directors for the past four years. Dr. Phillips was recently honored to become CAMFT’s President-Elect, and she will assume its Presidency in 2009.

I founded Counseling Services and Consulting LLC (CSC) in 2000, it is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and nationally certified as a Master Addiction Counselor. Additionally, I am nationally certified as a Substance Abuse Professional servicing the DOT (Department of Transportation). My agency treats all mental health issues: however, the practice specializes in forensic cases. Besides treatment and expert witness services for court cases the agency services clients across the country in Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
I can be reached by email at: jlwlmhc@yahoo.com.

I appreciate the opportunity to take the courses at CalSouthern this past year which qualified me for eligibility to take the MFT exam. I am now member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists.

Dr. Renae Lapin is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, with twenty eight years experience. She currently works for the Broward County, Florida School Board where she provides services to children and their families. Dr. Lapin holds a Master's Degree in Education and National Board Certification in Counseling in addition to her Doctorate degree in Psychology from California Southern University.

Dr. Lapin's credentials and experience in both the education and family counseling arena has shaped a unique understanding of the needs of children and their families throughout their developmental years. She earned the highly acclaimed National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification in its initial year of being developed and awarded to School Counselors. She has presented workshops at various local, statewide and national conferences in the field of Family Therapy including The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, Florida Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, Broward County School Board’s Parent Enrichment Day and Broward County School Board’s Parent University.

Dr. Lapin’s new book, “School Days and the Divorce Maze - A Complete Guide for Joint Custody Parents in Managing Your Child’s Successful School Career,” is the first of its kind. In today’s climate of extended and mixed families, “School Days & The Divorce Maze” is the quintessential must-have guide for parents in navigating the maze of responsibilities and privileges regarding your child’s schooling. Dr. Lapin specifically addresses each party’s concerns and points-of-view, offering strategies to include these in effective solutions that build strong self-esteem for the child while maintaining positive, clear communication by and between parents.

The book began as a research project in CalSouthern’s Media Psychology course. It was under the direction of her Mentor, Dr. Jonathan Rich, that Dr. Lapin began sending her work to publishers and later completing her book.

My name is Charlotte A. Belt. Currently, I wear two “professional hats.” First, I work for KPMG in downtown Dallas as a Practice Administrative Supervisor in our Advisory Practice. I have 24 years of business administration experience with KPMG and BearingPoint. Second, I am Vice President of QuinLab Consulting, in Dallas, that provides consulting services for the oil and natural gas exploration industry. Also, I am a past or present member of several professional organizations, such as the American Marketing Association, American Management Association, Project Management Institute, and Delta Epsilon Tau International Honor Society.

Jennifer Austin Leigh, PsyD. is an author, a life coach for teen girls, and a graduate of California Southern University. She recently launched her newest book, 'Laid or Loved? The Secrets Guys Wish You Knew About Being a Dream Girl Instead of a Just-In-His-Jeans Girl'.

Her mission is to help teen girls learn how to grow up with self-respect and respect for others to succeed in an increasingly disrespectful world. She teaches therapists, teachers and parents the truth about what’s happening in the lives of today’s teen, and offers easy to follow advice for helping and living peacefully with teen girls.

Dr. Jenn, as her clients and fans call her, says her studies at CalSouthern were challenging and “provocative.” “I was marketing my first book, co-authored with Dr. Mark Bray, A Little Book of Listening Skills, and doing my research for Laid or Loved? Every time I had the opportunity to apply class lessons to my own work, I jumped on it. My experience at Cal Southern was fabulous. The teachers were responsive to my work needs and interests. Had I remained at a traditional brick and mortar university, (I had transferred from a Palo Alto grad school) I would not have gotten the rich, vital education that fuels my career as the leading teen expert. I am grateful to all who helped me along the way.”

The teens who walk into Dr. Jenn’s coaching office are sure to be grateful as well, as are her many readers and friends on MySpace, whom she personally answers when they write in with problems. Dr. Jenn is collaborating with Brigitte Maenout, owner of Taste iT Tv., a Belgium based media company focused on helping teens through their love of music. TasteitTV.com interviews top bands and has interviewed Dr. Jenn for an upcoming TV show. She answers Dear Dr. Jenn letters for viewers of Taste iT Tv.

Dr. Jennifer Austin Leigh is headed to the talk show circuit this winter as her book goes from her website to the bookstores, revealing new taboo topics teens want you to know about, as well as relationship advice for the new world order.

My name is Robert Anthony Coats. My work history covers a wide spectrum of individuals from children through geriatrics. I have been employed with the State of North Carolina in the Department of Health & Human Services for the past 20+ years. I have served in many capacities including child therapist, behavioral specialist, unit manager/director, quality assurance & program coordinator. I have worked with emotionally disturbed children, violent & aggressive adolescents, young adults with MI &/or TBI, individuals with developmental disabilities, the chronically & terminally ill, individuals with Autism & the dually diagnosed & pretty much every diagnosis in the DSM IV in one fashion or another. I am currently employed as a Unit Director with the O’ Berry Center located in Goldsboro, NC.

I am a writer and volunteer educator working in Latin America through the Angelcraft Foundation a privately funded organization committed to advancing the education of the economically underprivileged. I am a former marketing executive and resident of Anaheim Hills California, Mercer Island Washington and Mazatlan Mexico.

Visit: www.angelcraftfoundation.org

John Mitchell is a Vietnam Era Veteran, having served in the U.S. Army, and a graduate of Michigan State University, where he received a B.S. in Business Management and Packaging Engineering. He went on to study law at California Southern University School of Law, earning his Juris Doctor and graduating in the Class of 2008.

As the proprietor of The Mitchell Financial Group, Inc. for over ten years, Mr. Mitchell has specialized in the financial management issues of small businesses. Prior to forming the Mitchell Financial Group he owned and operated an environmental consulting firm which specialized in government contracts.

I immigrated to the United States from Russia in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and with a desire for a better life and to advance my education. During my initial years in America I had worked in a variety of fields and professions searching for the setting that felt just right. While volunteering in one of the local hospices in Las Vegas where my duties were to provide emotional support to the patients and their families it became clear to me that I should pursue a career in psychotherapy.

CalSouthern was the perfect answer to my question of “How?” I had tediously researched my options and no other institution met all the criteria that were so important to me. As a full-time employee I was unable to afford the cost of a traditional campus based university. I found CalSouthern’s no residency requirement extremely convenient and their affordable monthly payment options, along with competitive tuition, made it possible for me to complete my MA in Psychology Degree stress free. Above all, the most important factor was my ability to use my degree from CalSouthern to become a licensed M.F.T. in the State of California.

I have served a number of businesses over the years, working at many levels from Machinist through President & CEO. I have accumulated many college credits over the years, but until recently never completed a degree program.

All was well with my career until a few years ago. I had worked very hard over the years, and I had worked through many corporate levels, finally reaching President & CEO. My broad experience gave me a unique perspective that allowed me to achieve results. A few years back, I decided (unwisely in retrospect) that the next step was to work with a private equity company and be part of acquisition & merger work. That lasted only a year, and I was on the street looking for a job. In all my years of working, I had never been out of a job for 10 minutes. Yet, when put on the streets as I was, I realized quickly (via rejections by prospective employers) that my formal education didn't match my title or long-term goals.