Rubin, Lawrence C.: -
Lawrence C. Rubin, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S has been, throughout his career, a licensed mental
health counselor and registered play therapist and a Professor of Counselor Education at
St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida, where he directed the Mental Health Counseling
Program and was a private practice psychologist, professional counselor, and play therapist.
Dr. Rubin is past president of the Florida Association for Play Therapy and chaired the Board
of Directors of the Association for Play Therapy. Dr. Rubin's research interests and publications
lie at the intersection of psychology and popular culture. He has been a prolific writer
and editor. His book, Psychotropic Drugs and Popular Culture: Medicine, Mental Health and the
Media, won the 2006 Ray and Pat Browne Award for Best Anthology. His other books include
Food for Thought: Essays on Eating and Culture, Popular Culture in Counseling, Psychotherapy and
Play-Based Intervention, Using Superheroes in Counseling and Play Therapy, Messages: Self-
Help through Popular Culture, Mental Illness and Popular Media: Essays on the Representation
of Psychiatric Disorders, and Play-Based Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Autism
Spectrum Disorders. Dr. Rubin has blogged about popular culture and psychology for Psychology
Today magazine and was the Area Chair of the Division of Mental Health, Mental Illness and
Popular Culture for the Popular Culture Association.
Today, Larry is a retired Professor of Counselor Education from St. Thomas University, a
licensed psychologist, and an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Nova Southeastern University.
He remains a clinician, educator, and author at the intersection of psychology and popular
culture--and is the Editor for Psychotherapy.net. Larry recently relocated to North Carolina.
Refusing to go quietly into the night, he wanders the hills and woods of the North Carolina
mountains and plays golf ... or at least he plays at it!
The authors would be glad to hear from you! They can be reached at aschwitz@odu.edu,
alpope@wm.edu, and lrubin@stu.edu, respectively.
Schwitzer, Alan M.: -
Alan M. Schwitzer, PhD, is a Licensed Psychologist and Professor of Counseling at Old
Dominion University (ODU) in Norfolk, Virginia. Dr. Schwitzer completed his graduate
degrees in Counseling Psychology at Virginia Commonwealth University and interned at
the University of Texas at Austin Counseling and Mental Health Center. Prior to full-time
faculty work, he was the Clinical Director of the Tulane University Counseling and Testing
Center and then Assistant Professor and Training Director of the James Madison University
Counseling and Student Development Center. Dr. Schwitzer is past editor of the Journal
of College Counseling and has chaired the Council of Journal of Editors of the American
Counseling Association (ACA). Currently he is a Consulting Editor of the Journal of American
College Health and Editorial Board Member of the Journal of College Student Development, and
he is on the Board of Contributors of About Campus Magazine, publications of the American
College Health Association and American College Personnel Association. Dr. Schwitzer has
published over seventy journal, magazine, and newspaper articles primarily examining college
and university student adjustment, development, learning, and counseling. He also specializes
in teaching diagnosis, case conceptualization, and treatment planning. His previous books
include Skills and Tools for Today's Counselors and Psychotherapists: From Natural Helping to
Professional Counseling and Promoting Student Learning and Student Development at a Distance.
Among Dr. Schwitzer's recent awards are the Ralph M. Berdie Memorial Award for Research
and Scholarship in the Field of College Student Affairs; the American College Counseling
Association's Meritorious Service Award, and Outstanding Contribution to Professional
Knowledge Award; and the American College Personnel Association's Lifetime Achievement
Award in College Counseling & Psychological Services, and Commission Research Award.
Woody serves on the Virginia psychologists' state legislative committee and maintains a private
practice focusing on consultation, training, and continuing education. He lives on the Lafayette
River with his wife, dog, and cat.
