Baltimore Clinical Psychologist Working To Raise Awareness
Dr. Greg Chasson, Clinical Psychologist at Towson University, focuses on a number of specific disorders - one of which is hoarding, which can be one manifestation of obsessive compulsive disorder.
Dr. Chasson, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Towson University,
first received his B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He later received his M.A. in Psychology and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Houston. . He completed a pre-doctoral Internship at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School and a post-doctoral fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School.
What inspired you to enter your current field?
"My grandfather was a psychotherapist, and when he passed away, he left old Freud texts and original versions of some classic assessment instruments. As a teenager, I was always fascinated with the mind, but immersing myself in this treasure chest at such a formative age reinforced my interest in psychology."
What inspired you to start your current enterprise?
"Very few of us advocate for hoarders, their family members and neighbors, although there are approximately 200,000 individuals with hoarding difficulties in Maryland. I've been teaming with the State Fire Marshal Brian Geraci and his team to increase awareness about hoarding."
"Also, my lab at Towson University is offering free training to family members with a loved one with hoarding issues."
How does your educational background relate to your current role?
"As a Ph.D. student at the University of Houston, I started working at the Menninger Clinic's treatment program for OCD which immediately interested me in its treatment."
"This led to training fellowships where I worked on research at the OCD Institute and served as a treatment provider and research fellow for the OCD and Related Disorders program. Upon completing this training at Harvard, I wanted to teach and to carry out my own research on OCD and hoarding."
"Towson University was the perfect match for allowing me to do all of these things."
How has your education helped to further your career and contributed to your success?
"My Ph.D. in clinical psychology was based on a scientist-practitioner model, which means it was balanced to provide training as a clinical research scientist plus training as a treatment provider. This balance has enhanced my career."
What is some advice you can offer others looking to go into your field?
"Find good mentors and soak up their knowledge. Don't be entitled. Learn to accept criticism and feedback. Don't rely on just motivation, aptitude, or luck, as all three are necessary ingredients for success."
Susan Brown originally spent many years in banking/finance before confronting her addictions. She has now been in recovery for 20 years. Her current interests, in which she has several certifications, are metaphysics and the healing arts. She has written for Examiner.com since 2009 and also writes for Om Times.
