The following text is temporary text for Dr. Billows to provide news information.

Shortly after he earned his Master of Science Degree in Applied Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr. Andrew "Jack" 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 and family therapy. He interned at Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine and 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 1984.      After achieving partner at one of Tidewater’s largest private practice ventures, Dr. Billups left to establish his own business and has worked independently since 1990. He has taught on a part-time basis at several colleges and universities and has sought to integrate academic psychology, clinical psychology, and personal development.      "During graduate studies, 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 forensic work and professional coaching.      "From the earliest days of my 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. The relationship between psychiatry and criminal culpability has also been a growing interest since the completion of my doctoral studies and the resumption of my clinical work following graduation and licensure."      Dr. Billups has completed various postdoctoral training experiences at Sheppard Pratt in Baltimore and at the Institute for Law, Psychiatry, and Public Policy at the University of Virginia. 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 has 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.      Forensic psychology and   coaching are the two primary specializations at Oyster Point Psychological and operate as two subdivisions of the larger practice.      He currently resides in Gloucester, Virginia, and enjoys flying, sailing, and all aspects of Chesapeake Bay living. He has been active in Rotary and is a Paul Harris Fellow.