Lipscomb University professor Dale Alden named to Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology
Lacey Klotz | 615.966.6025 |
Dale Alden, Lipscomb University assistant professor of psychology, was one of 186 Tennesseans named to 68 boards and commissions last month by Governor Bill Haslam. Alden was named to the Tennessee State Board of Examiners in Psychology, and will be charged to keep Tennesseans safe under psychological care.
The Board of Examiners in Psychology was created in 1953, by an act of the state legislature. Its mission is to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of Tennesseans by requiring those who practice as psychologists or psychological examiners within this state to be licensed.
“It is an honor to be considered for such as position, given the enormous responsibility that the board takes on,” said Alden. “I have known previous and current members of the board for many years, and have a high degree of respect for each of them. To be considered as a fellow board member is humbling, indeed.”
As a licensed psychologist, HSP, Alden specializes in Clinical Neuropsychology and maintains a private practice in Columbia, Tennessee. Alden began his tenure at Lipscomb in 1998 as an adjunct faculty member and later became a full-time employee in the department of psychology and counseling in 2000. At Lipscomb, Alden teaches Introduction to Psychopathology, Psychological Assessment and Biological Psychology for the graduate program.
Alden holds a M.S. in counseling from Abilene Christian University, a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology/Neuropsychology from Virginia Tech, and a specialization in Neuropsychology/Geropsychiatry at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
“I am grateful to these men and women for their commitment to serving our state,” Haslam said. “They will represent the people of Tennessee well.”
Alden says through his experience as a university professor, he has been able to stay ahead of constantly changing legislation, the requirements of practice and education and the ever-changing landscape of medical/psychological practice in the U.S.
“Being a professor has always kept me sharp and up-to-date as a practitioner, and this opportunity will add to that influence considerably,” said Alden. “As an educator, I feel that sending our students out with only the didactic information they need is akin to ‘telling’ someone how to swim, and then pushing them off into deep water. Thus, the monitoring of the mechanics and everyday practice within the law required of the board will give me even more information to prepare our students beyond ‘book learning.’”
Haslam selected Alden after two former board members retired and left a space for one academic psychologist and one practicing clinical psychologist. After his appointment, Alden says he learned he was chosen to occupy both positions at once, and will serve until 2022, unless asked to hold a second term.
Lipscomb University’s Department of Psychology, Counseling and Family Science strives to be a student-focused environment with faculty who are known for excellence in teaching and advising. We provide our students with a variety of opportunities to excel not only inside but also outside the classroom. Students are regularly engaged in internship experiences and work alongside faculty members to conduct psychological research.