|
|
|
|
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH  |
| Andrew
J. Billups, Psy.D. |
|  Shortly
after he earned his Master of Science Degree in Applied
Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University,
Andrew J. Billups accepted a position with
a rural Community Mental Health Center in the Chesapeake
Bay country of Tidewater, Virginia. Four years later,
he began doctoral study at the College of William and
Mary with an interest in communications theory, hypnosis, and family
therapy. He interned at Eastern Virginia Graduate School
of Medicine where he worked primarily with pain patients and
persons with sexual difficulties. He completed an additional
year-long concentration in behavioral medicine and received
his doctorate in May of 1983.
After achieving partner at one of Tidewater’s largest private practice ventures, and after working in various group settings, Dr. Billups left to establish his own clinical practice and has worked independently since 1990. He has taught on a part-time basis at several colleges and universities in Tidewater Virginia and has sought to integrate academic psychology, clinical psychology, and personal development. |
| "During
my graduate studies at William and Mary, I became particularly interested in
how best to turn up the 'watts of influence' in a therapeutic
relationship and increase the potency of language to accelerate
change. My research interests include the construction
and strategic use of metaphor, analogy, and hypnotic language
to facilitate cost-effective progress toward established
goals." This interest found application in his psychotherapy practice, in his recent development of a professional coaching practice for well persons in difficult transitions and in his work with clients involved in litigation. |
| "From
the earliest days of my psychotherapy practice, I have enjoyed the challenges
of working with adolescent males described as being 'conduct
disordered.' Because these individuals sometimes face
serious legal charges, I have often provided assessment,
intervention, and consultative services for defense attorneys
and judges." He has qualified as an expert witness at the circuit court level in most jurisdictions in Tidewater Virginia, and he has served as the defense expert in four capital murder cases. He provided testimony that led to a successful insanity defense. Factors regarding mitigation, competency, and sanity at time of the offense constitute the bulk of his forensic work. More recently, he has begun to publish opinion pieces on matters of public policy, dependency, and mental health. |
| Dr. Billups
has completed various postdoctoral training experiences
at Sheppard Pratt in Baltimore, at the Institute for
Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy at the University of
Virginia, and through various other postdoctoral training opportunities. |
| He currently
resides in Gloucester, Virginia with his wife and two dogs. He plays guitar poorly, and he enjoys flying, sailing,
and all aspects of Chesapeake Bay living. He has been
active in Rotary and is a Paul Harris Fellow. |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
