Dr. Laura Vernon
Professor of Psychology; Provost Fellow
Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.A., Clinical Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
B.A., Psychology with Honors, Northwestern University
B.A., Sociology with Honors, Northwestern University
As a Clinical Psychologist, my research is on psychological disorders and their treatment. I broadly examine anxiety disorders, emotion, cognition, and mindfulness. My recent research examines the effectiveness of a mindfulness-based equine assisted therapy for trauma, Expressive Writing treatment for Hispanic trauma survivors, brief peer-administered mindfulness interventions for college students, mindfulness’ influence on memory, the contributions of movement to emotional responses to animals, online measurement of symptoms, and the cognitive processes of emotion and phobias.
I enjoy teaching Psychopathology, Psychotherapy, Positive Psychology, and Social Psychology. I hope students apply their learning to themselves and their lives, while having fun. We review for exams by playing Jeopardy (“Terrorific Trivia” around Halloween) and have House competitions (Harry Potter fans: Slytherin is transformed into Freud House).
I love spending time with my children, Leo and Rosie, and wonderful friends and being outdoors hiking, biking, running, horseback riding, or stand-up paddleboarding. Videogames are a guilty pleasure. Weight training challenges and rewards me. And a good book is my constant companion.
Contact: 561-799-8411; HA 114