About Dr. Beth
My Practice
I am a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience working with people across the lifespan, including children from birth through adolescence and their families. When children are dealing with difficult feelings or adjusting to life changes, it is often hard for them to put their experiences into words. Instead, they show us with their behaviors. I enjoy helping children with a variety of issues find ways to express themselves through the art of play, storytelling, and other creative processes.
In order for children to make meaningful changes in their behavior that extend beyond the therapy office, they need the support and guidance of important adults in their lives. I make it a priority to establish supportive and collaborative relationships with children's parents/guardians, other providers, and educational systems.
Play has also been shown to be a valuable strategy for adults. I adapt traditional therapies (such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: CBT) into playful, action oriented interventions to help adults find creative solutions to difficult life problems. These issues include, but are not limited to, parenting & family issues, anxiety and depression, adjustment to life changes, & stress management.
Education and Publications
Education
Dr. Doppler-Bourassa graduated magna cum laude with her B.A. in Psychology from Washington College in Chestertown, MD.
She went on to pursue her Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Suffolk University in Boston, MA and graduated in 2006.
She returned to her home state of New Jersey to complete her pre-doctoral internship at the YCS Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental Health.
Upon graduating from Suffolk University, she went on to complete her post-doctoral training as a Clinical Supervisor at the Wediko School in Windsor, NH.
Research and Publications
Dr. Doppler-Bourassa focused her research on promoting peaceful classrooms through conflict resolution in preschools. She expanded this work in her doctoral dissertation to examine how to influence sustainable change in educational systems when implementing training for conflict resolution. She has enjoyed presenting and publishing her research and continues to apply these valuable principles in her clinical work and consultative roles.
Arcaro-McPhee, R., Doppler, E., & Harkins, D. (2002). Conflict resolution in a constructivist preschool classroom: A case study in negotiation. Journal for Research in Childhood Education 17(1), 19-25.
Doppler-Bourassa, E., Mehta, C., & Harkins, D. (2008). Emerging empowerment: Conflict resolution intervention and preschool teacher’s reports of conflict behavior. Early Education & Development, 19(6), 885-906.
Harkins, D. & Doppler-Bourassa, E. (2008). Introduction to the special issue: Conflict resolution. Early Education & Development, 19(6), 841-842.
Harkins, D. & Community Action Project Team (2013). Beyond the campus: Building sustainable university-community partnerships. Information Age Publishing: Charlotte, NC.
Outside of the Office
When not at the office, you can find Dr. Beth spending time at the beach with her family on the New Hampshire seacoast or down the Jersey Shore. Dr. Beth loves to bake and is a Harry Potter enthusiast! She is also actively involved with youth travel soccer and plays in a local woman's soccer league.
