Robert J. Wicks

Robert J. Wicks
Born August 2, 1946
Queens, New York [1]
Occupation Clinical Psychologist, Professor, Speaker, Spiritual Guide, Therapist, and Writer
Nationality Lithuanian-American
Genre Prevention of secondary stress and the integration of psychology and spirituality
Subject Self-care, Mindfulness and Meditation, Psychological and Spiritual Growth
Website
www.robertjwicks.com

Robert J. Wicks (born August 2, 1946 in Queens, New York) is a clinical psychologist and leading writer about the intersection of spirituality and psychology. Wicks is a well known speaker, therapist, and spiritual guide who for more than thirty years has been teaching at universities and professional schools of psychology, medicine, nursing, theology, and social work. He is a professor of Pastoral Counseling at Loyola University Maryland.[2]

He is a recipient of the The Holy Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice, the highest medal that can be awarded to the laity by the Papacy for distinguished service to the Roman Catholic Church.

Wicks has spoken on Capitol Hill to Members of Congress and their chiefs of staff, at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and at Harvard’s Children’s Hospital on his major area of expertise: the prevention of secondary stress (the pressures encountered in reaching out to others). He has also addressed 10,000 educators in the Air Canada Arena in Toronto, spoken at the FBI Academy, led a weeklong course in Paris, and addressed caregivers in Beijing, Hanoi, and Northern Ireland.

Early life and education

Robert J. Wicks, was born on August 2, 1946. After graduating from Fairfield University in Connecticut in 1968 with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in psychology and philosophy.

After working in a counseling for the New York State Narcotic Addiction Control Commission, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in Vietnam and other locations for three years.[3]

He went on to receive his Master’s of Arts degree in 1973 from St. John's University in New York City. In 1977, he received his doctorate in psychology from Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital.

Career

Since finishing his doctorate, he has taught in universities and professional schools of psychology, medicine, nursing, theology, and social work. In 2003 he was the Commencement Speaker for Wright State School of Medicine in Dayton, Ohio, and in 2005 he was both Visiting Scholar and the Commencement Speaker at Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago.

In 1994, he was responsible for the psychological debriefing of relief workers evacuated from Rwanda during their bloody civil war. In 1993, and again in 2001, he worked in Cambodia. During these visits, his work was with professionals from the English-speaking community who were present to help the Khmer people rebuild their nation following years of terror and torture.

In 2006, Wicks delivered presentations on self-care at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland and Walter Reed Army Hospital to those health care professionals responsible for Iraqi and Afghan war veterans evacuated to the U.S. with multiple amputations and severe head injuries.

Also in 2006, Wicks received the first annual Alumni Award for Excellence in Professional Psychology from Widener University and is also the recipient of the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the American Counseling Association's Division on Ethics and Values.

In the past several years he has spoken on Capitol Hill to Members of Congress and their chiefs of staff, at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and at Harvard’s Children’s Hospital on his major area of expertise: the prevention of secondary stress (the pressures encountered in reaching out to others). He has also addressed 10,000 educators in the Air Canada Arena in Toronto, spoken at the FBI Academy, led a weeklong course in Paris, and addressed caregivers in Beijing, Hanoi, and Northern Ireland. In his clinical practice, Wicks focuses on working with psychotherapists, physicians, nurses, educators, relief workers, lawyers, corporate executives and persons in full-time ministry.

Wicks has published over 40 books for both professionals and the general public. One of his latest works is entitled Riding the Dragon. His most recent books for professionals, Overcoming Secondary Stress in Medical and Nursing Practice and The Resilient Clinician have both been published by Oxford University Press. In October 2009 Oxford will also release his new book for the general public, Bounce: Living the Resilient Life. In September 2009, Sorin Books will release his other new book, Prayerfulness: Awakening to the Fullness of Life.

Personal life

Wicks is a professor at Loyola University Maryland and lives in Ellicott City, Maryland with his wife of over forty years, Michaele Barry Wicks who is both a nurse and a lecturer on Teresa of Avila and biblical/women’s spirituality. They have a daughter, Michaele Kulick who is a social worker for the Veteran’s Administration; she works with severely injured returning Iraqi and Afghan military personnel.

Books

Awards and honors

Several books have also been selected by major academic/professional book clubs (Behavioral Science Book Club; Mental Health Practitioners Book Club; Theological Book Service).

References

  1. ↑ "Biography: Robert J. Wicks", Ave Maria Press website
  2. ↑ "Church happenings". The Herald (Rock Hill). Feb 16, 2002. p. 2C. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
  3. ↑ Feister, John, "Dare, Hope, Pray: Dr. Robert Wicks : Counseling on the front lines has taught this psychologist the value of prayer", St. Anthony Messenger magazine, October 2010

External links