GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY - Key Persons

Dr. Joan Houghton has been working in the field of mental health for over 30 years. She received a bachelors degree in sociology from George Mason University in 1972 and a masters degree in psychology from George Mason University in 1979. In 1984, she graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Institute with a doctorate in counseling education. Between 1976 and 1983, Dr. Houghton worked as a writer, psychologist, researcher, and program coordinator at the National Institutes of Mental Health. During that period, she served as Administrator of the Runaway Youth Program and pioneered a major mental health program for children and adolescents in the schools and developed several programs targeting high risk groups. Between 1983 and 1989, she worked at the National Institutes of Health and administered several communications efforts including cancer prevention, infectious disease prevention for hospital and child care workers, and improved dental care among developing nations. Between 1983 and 1987, she served as Director of the Cancer Prevention Awareness Program at the National Cancer Institute promoting primary prevention programs for children, minorities, women and other targeted populations. Since 1972, Dr. Houghton has participated in extensive training in health and mental health issues, diagnosis and assessment, relationship therapies, skill development, as well as cognitive, behavioral and humanistic approaches to treatment. In addition, she has continued to accumulate knowledge and experience about working with special populations including children, youth, singles, couples, families, and groups. In 1999, she became certified as an Imago therapist, specializing in assisting children, singles, couples, and families through challenging relationship issues. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Houghton has also taught courses in counseling at George Mason University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, and Johns Hopkins University. She belongs to several professional organizations including the American Counseling Association, the International Association for Marriage and Family Counselors, and the Institute for Imago Relationship Therapy. She has made presentations before numerous professional organizations, conducted groups for children, adolescents, and adults as well as authored several articles in the health and mental health fields.