Social Sciences Division Chair, Associate Professor of Psychology
Dr. Whitaker began her educational journey as a pastoral ministries student at Huntingdon College in Montgomery, AL. Along the way, God called her toward the counseling ministry to help others apply scripture to their unique personal situations. As part of her doctoral studies, she completed an APA-approved internship at Pine Rest Christian Hospital in Michigan which focused on the application of Christian Theology in the practice of Psychology.
2 Corinthians 5:18 guides Paula's clinical work which she views as working with the Holy Spirit to see people reconciled to themselves, the Lord, and to the important people in their lives. During the past 30 years, Paula's work as a licensed Clinical Psychologist included helping to found Life Connections Christian Counseling Center in Tampa, FL and serving as an adjunct faculty member at USF, UT, and Trinity College of Florida. Most recently, she worked in Student Development as the Director of Counseling, Health, and Wellness for Southeastern University.
In addition to working in the mental health field, Paula has had the joy and privilege of serving on the staff of local churches for over three decades, most recently working at First Methodist Church of Brooksville, FL, for 17 years as youth director, children's director, school chaplain, and music director--though thankfully not all at the same time! She also enjoyed operating Grace Notes voice and piano studio from her home while raising four kids with husband, Lee.
Dr. Whitaker was thrilled to return to teaching full-time in 2020 and enjoys engaging students in and out of the classroom through research, mental health advocacy, wellness initiatives and discipleship.
Student research teams led by Dr. Whitaker have had their work accepted for presentation at the annual meetings of the Southeastern Psychological Association (2022) and the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (2023), a tradition she plans to continue.
Education
- B.A. in Psychology with a Music minor, The University of Tampa (UT)
- M.A. & Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, The University of South Florida (USF)