Ward Davis, Psy.D.

Graduate Programs

Visiting Assistant Professor
On Faculty since 2012

Office: BGC M206
Phone: (630)752-7053
Fax: (630)752-7033
Email:

Education

Psy.D., Clinical Psychology, Regent University, 2010

M.A., Clinical Psychology, Regent University, 2007

Postdoctoral Fellowship, Biola University / Biola Counseling Center, La Mirada, CA, 2012

Predoctoral Psychology Internship, Southern Louisiana Internship Consortium / LSU, Baton Rouge, LA, 2010

B.A., Psychology with Highest Honors, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 2002

B.A., History with Highest Distinction, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 2002

About Ward Davis

Dr. Davis’s professional interests include psychological assessment, interpersonal neurobiology, adult attachment, mindfulness, mentoring, and the psychology of religion and spirituality—particularly the embodied, emotional experience of divine attachment figures such as God and Jesus. On a more personal note, Dr. Davis enjoys spending time with his wife Meghan and with other family and friends.  He also enjoys backpacking, camping, sailing, reading, singing, and playing the piano.

Courses Taught

  • PSYC 743 Psychological Assessment I: Cognitive Assessment and Psychometrics
  • PSYC 744 Psychological Assessment II: Personality Assessment
  • PSYC 746 Clinical Research and Statistics I: Statistics and Research Methods
  • PSYC 797 Practicum Seminar
  • PSYC 894 Clerkship Seminar

Membership in Professional Societies

  • American Psychological Association (APA)
  • APA Division 36 (Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality)
  • APA Division 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology)
  • Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies (GAINS)
  • Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS)
  • Society for Personality Assessment (SPA)

Research

Dr. Davis’s research interests focus on the intersections between interpersonal neurobiology and the psychology of religion and spirituality, especially the embodied, emotional experience of God and Jesus. His research interests also include adult attachment, mentoring, narratives, process-experiential psychotherapies, mindfulness, psychological assessment, and evidence-based practice in psychology.

Publications and Presentations

Professional Publications:

Davis, E. B., Moriarty, G. L., & Mauch, J. C. (in press). God images and god concepts: Definitions, development, and dynamics. Psychology of Religion and Spirituality. doi: 10.1037/a0029289

Edwards, K. J., & Davis, E. B. (in press). Evidence-based principles from psychodynamic and process-experiential psychotherapies. In E. L. Worthington, Jr., E. L. Johnson, J. N. Hook, & J. D. Aten (Eds.), Evidence-based practices for Christian counseling and psychotherapy. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Davis, E. B., & Hill, P. C. (2012). Promoting the career well-being of religiously/spiritually oriented employees by supporting their emotional resilience and spiritual fitness. In P. C. Hill & B. J. Dik (Eds.), Psychology of religion and workplace spirituality (pp. 89-112). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

Moriarty, G. L., & Davis, E. B. (2012). Client God images: Theory, research, and clinical practice. In J. Aten, K. O’Grady, & E. Worthington, Jr. (Eds.), The psychology of religion and spirituality for clinicians: Using research in your practice (pp. 131-160). New York, NY: Routledge.

Yarborough, C. A., & Davis, E. B. (2011). A call for intentional, intergenerational relationship-building within Division 36: Musings from two early career professionals. Psychology of Religion Newsletter – American Psychological Association Division 36, 35(3), 5-7.

Thomas, M. J., Moriarty, G. L., Davis, E. B., & Anderson, E. L. (2011). The effects of a manualized group-psychotherapy intervention on client god images and attachment to God: A pilot study. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 39, 44-58.

Davis, E. B. (2010). Authenticity, inauthenticity, attachment, and God-image tendencies among adult evangelical Protestant Christians (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses. (AAT 3400639). Available for download >>

Davis, E. B., & Strawn, B. D. (2010). The Psychodynamic Diagnostic Manual: A potential adjunctive tool for diagnosis, case formulation, and treatment. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 29, 109-115.

Davis, E. B., & Badenoch, B. (2010). Storying God images: Bringing narrative integration to our experience of the divine. Winter 2009 GAINS Quarterly (pp. 14-24, 63-65). Global Association of Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies (GAINS). Available for download >> 

Davis, E. B. (2009). God image narrative therapy: A treatment manual. Unpublished manuscript, School of Psychology and Counseling, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA. Available for download >> 

Parker, S., & Davis, E. B. (2009). The false self in Christian contexts: A Winnicottian perspective. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 28, 315-325.

Yarhouse, M. A., Gow, C. H., & Davis, E. B. (2009). Intact marriages in which one partner experiences same-sex attraction: A five-year follow-up study. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 17, 329-334.

Ripley, J. S., Davis, E. B., Leon, C. Q., & Worthington, E. L., Jr. (Eds.) (2008). The Hope-Focused Couples Approach treatment manual. Regent University. Available for download >> 

Davis, E. B., Kemp, H., & Engelbert, C. (2008). Religious/spiritual assessment within the Hope-Focused Couples Approach. Regent University. Available for download >> 

Davis, E. B., & Kemp, H. (2008). Strategies for addressing couples with religious/spiritual conflicts within the Hope-Focused Couples Approach. Regent University. Available for download  >>

Ripley, J. S., Jackson, L. D., Tatum, R. L., & Davis, E. B. (2007). A developmental model of supervisee religious and spiritual development. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 26, 298-306.

Bartholow, B. D., Sestir, M. A., & Davis, E. B. (2005). Correlates and consequences of exposure to video game violence: Hostile personality, empathy, and aggressive behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 31, 1573-1586.

Professional Presentations

A. International and National Conferences

Davis, E. B., Hill, P. C., & Mauch, J. C. (2012, August). Promoting career wellbeing and emotional resilience among religiously/spiritually oriented employees. Poster session presented at the 120th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, Orlando, FL.

Moriarty, G. L., & Davis, E. B. (2011, August). Working with client god images in psychotherapy: Research, theory, and practice. Paper presented at the 2011 International Congress for the Psychology of Religion, Bari, Italy.

Davis, E. B., & Moriarty, G. L. (2011, August). God images and god concepts: Working definitions and conceptual clarifications. In L. Hoffman & G. L. Moriarty (Chair), God image research and applications. Symposium conducted at the 119th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. Washington, DC. Available for download >>

Olson, T., Davis, E. B., & Blackner, A. (2011, August). Treating god images via narrative-experiential approaches. In L. Hoffman & G. L. Moriarty (Chair), God image research and applications. Symposium conducted at the 119th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. Washington, DC. Available for download >>

Davis, E. B., Moriarty, G. L., & Smith, E. M. (2011, April). Client God images: Theory, research, and clinical practice. Presentation at the 2011 International Conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Indianapolis, IN. Available for download >>

Davis, E. B., & Pak, J. H. (2011, April). An Attachment-Based Approach to Leadership and Mentoring (ABALM): Theory and research. In N. Thurston (Chair), An attachment-based approach to clinical mentoring: Are students "earning (or losing) attachment security" while earning their diplomas? Symposium conducted at the 2011 International Conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Indianapolis, IN.

Ripley, J. S., Maclin, V. L., Pearce, E., Tomasulo, A., Smith, A., … Davis, E. B. (2010, August). Religiously accommodative couples therapy: Process and outcome research. Poster session presented at the 118th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. San Diego, CA.

Brokaw, B., Davis, E. B., Carafa, M., & Hudson, P. (2009, April). Storying God images: Narratives and neurobiology. Presentation at the 2009 International Conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Orlando, FL.

Bollinger, R., Davis, E. B., Grover, S., & Murphy, K. (2009, April). Mentoring in integration series: A conversation with John Carter, Ph.D. and James Olthuis, Ph.D. Panel discussion/interview at the 2009 International Conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Orlando, FL.

Parker, S. A., & Davis, E. B. (2009, April). The true and the false self in Christian contexts and relationships. Presentation at the 2009 International Conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Orlando, FL.

Ripley, J. S., Leon, C., Davis, E. B., Smith, A., Worthington, E. L., Jr., & Atkinson, A. (2008, August). Hope-focused couples therapy clinical trial study. Poster session presented at the 116th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. Boston, MA.

Davis, E. B., & Moriarty, G. L. (2008, August). Depression and God images. In W. H. Hathaway (Chair), Appropriate religious/spiritual treatment goals: Converging trends and professional roles. Symposium conducted at the 116th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association. Boston, MA.

Strawn, B., & Davis, E. B. (2008, April). Psychodynamic diagnosis and case formulation. In M. Hoffman (Chair), Incarnational integration in relational psychodynamic psychotherapy. Symposium conducted at the 2008 International Conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Phoenix, AZ.

Leon, C., Ripley, J. S., Davis. E. B., Mazzio, L., & Smith, A. (2008, February). Forgiveness in intimate relationships: The impact of Hope-Focused Marriage Therapy. Paper presented at the 2008 American Psychological Association Division 36 Mid-Year Research Conference on Religion & Spirituality. Loyola, MD.

Davis, E.B. (2007, March). Take up your mask and follow Me: False-self dynamics in Christian contexts and relationships. Poster session presented at the 2007 International Conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Valley Forge, PA.

B. Regional Conferences

Olson, L. A., & Davis, E. B. (2009, April). Pediatric bipolar disorder: Empirically based assessment and treatment. Presentation at the 2009 Spring Convention and Educational Conference of the Virginia Psychological Association. Williamsburg, VA.

Davis, E. B., & Moriarty, G. L. (2008, November). Depression and God images: Theory, research, and practice. Paper presented at the 2008 Eastern Regional Conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Chambersburg, PA.

Yarhouse, M. A., Gow, C. H., & Davis, E. B. (2008, November). Adversity and resilience in marriage: Mixed orientation marriages at five-year follow-up. Paper presented at the 2008 Eastern Regional Conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Chambersburg, PA.

Davis, E. B., & Parker, S. (2007, November). Take up your mask and follow Me: False-self dynamics in Christian contexts and relationships. Paper presented at the 2007 Eastern Regional Conference of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies. Chambersburg, PA.

C. Invited Addresses, Seminars and Workshops

Davis, E. B., & Hill, P. C. (2012, January). Promoting career wellbeing and emotional resilience among religiously/spiritually oriented employees. Invited workshop for the 2012 Institute for Research on Psychology and Spirituality. La Mirada, CA. Available for download >>

Davis, E. B., & Blackner, A. (2011, October). An interpersonal neurobiology approach to psychotherapy. Continuing education seminar to licensed mental health practitioners. Rosemead School of Psychology Annual Alumni Reunion. La Mirada, CA. Available for download >>

Davis, E. B., & Blackner, A. (2011, October). Being a brain-wise Christian leader: An interpersonal neurobiology approach. Outreach workshop to pastors and lay leaders at King’s Park International Church. Durham, NC. Available for download >>

Davis, E. B., & Garner, C. D. (2010, April). Evidence-based practices in psychotherapy process and outcome. Outreach workshop to licensed mental health practitioners in the Baton Rouge community. Baton Rouge, LA.

Kirpalani, P., Moss, J., & Davis, E. B. (2010, February). Disordered eating: Intervention strategies. Outreach workshop to students and faculty of the psychology, counseling, and social work departments at Louisiana State University. Baton Rouge, LA.

Davis, E. B., Moss, J., & Kirpalani, P. (2010, January). Stress management. In-service seminar for the staff of the Louisiana State University Equality, Diversity, and Community Outreach (EDCO) department. Baton Rouge, LA.

Davis, E. B., & Heroman, M. (2009, October). Evidence-based therapy-relationship elements. In-service seminar for the multidisciplinary staff of the Louisiana State University Mental Health Service (MHS) department. Baton Rouge, LA.

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