Who is that guy ?
Hello. My name is Richard Pallazza.
Until my retirement not long ago, I supervised mental health services in several NC prisons. More recently, I moved back to MN in order to enjoy the company of my sons who live here.
The famous "Minnesota Nice," good fishing, boating and the outdoor life also appealed to me. The accompanying photo shows me wearing a heavy parka; it is often cold in MN. I am shown holding some tissue paper. That is because I had a cold and runny nose, also common in MN. From the time I received a PhD (Psychology, 1967), I have worked continuously as a Clinical Psychologist. I still enjoy that field and probably will continue in Psychology for as long as I can.
My work has involved direct provision of Mental Health care, forensic (legal) psychology, supervision of other MH professionals and consultation to human service agencies. Most of the time I have been a mental health generalist, but more recently, I have become more focused on mood disorders, fibromyalgia and chronic pain. These conditions do not respond well to treatment-as-usual. If you are satisfied with your present course of treatment, that's great. But if you are not, Psychology has much to offer for these chronic and disabling conditions.
EDUCATION:
B. A. 1959 Psychology, Manhattan College, New York City.
M.A. 1961 Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia.
Ph.D. 1965 Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia. An APA approved
program.
Internship: Psychiatric Receiving Center for Kansas City Hospital. An APA approved program.
Awards: U.S.P.H.S. Fellow 1959 – 1960, 1963 – 1964.
EMPLOYMENT:
1989 – 2003 Mental Health Program Manager , NC Department of Correction.
Supervision of the delivery of mental health services to various prisons in West-Central North Carolina.
1975 – 1989 Private practice, Winona, MN. Psychotherapy and psychological
evaluation, children and adults. Marital counseling. Consultation to local hospitals, nursing homes, and other primary care agencies. Evaluation and testimony re: mental competence and need for hospitalization and re: personal and vocational loss following illness, injury.
1970 – 1975 Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Center Winona, MN. Psychotherapy, psychological evaluation, children and adults. Male sexual disorders and depression in women. Evaluation and consultation to schools, courts, other social agencies.
Behavioral management and other in-service training for nursing staffs.
1967 – 1970 Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Center, Mankato, MN.
Psychotherapy, psychological evaluation, children and adults. Parent instruction in rationale and procedure for behavior modification. Development of instructional media in behavior modification. Consultation to social agencies. Evaluation of police candidates. Community education, press and radio.
1969 – 1970 Program Director, .
1966 – 1967 Clinical Psychologist, Mental Health Center, Asheville, NC.
Psychotherapy, psychological evaluation, primarily children. Community consultation, development with low income, minority groups.
OTHER PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Consultant to Counseling Center, University of Minnesota, Mankato, MN. Teaching Faculty, Rochester Junior College. Teaching Faculty, University of Minnesota, Winona.
Trainer for regional seminars, educational programs. Extensive public speaking, workshops, in-service for primary care groups.
PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS:
Cognitive behavior therapy, behavioral medicine, psychological consultation on health care issues, selected legal-psychological issues.
LICENSURE, OTHER PROFESSIONAL STANDING:
American Psychological Association. Practicing Psychologist, North Carolina, 1990 –present. Licensed Consulting Psychologist, Minnesota 1975 – 1989. Vocational Expert, Office of Hearings and Appeals. Consultative Examiner, Social Security Administration.