Dissertation on Couples Research
September 24, 2009
Dr. Hill’s master’s thesis developed the first measure of couples thoughts that would maintain an unhealthy a distancing-pursuing dynamic, with one partner consistently seeking more time, intimacy and attention while the other partner consistently withdraws or avoids closeness. Previous research into couples communication and behavior had shown that this distancer-pursuer dynamic is associated with lower relationship satisfaction, but no one had yet studied the thought processes behind it.
Then in the doctoral dissertation Dr. Hill found that couples who exhibit this distancer-pursue dynamic in their thoughts, communication and behavior are not only less happy with the relationship; they also were more likely to draw harmful conclusions about their partner. Specifically, distancer-pursuer couples were more likely to attribute negative relationship events to their partner’s innate personality (e.g. he’s just a selfish or irritable person) rather than making a more forgiving, situational explanation for negative moments (e.g. he was irritable with me because he must have had a bad day at work).
Academic Resume
September 23, 2009
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Aug. 1999
Counseling Psychology (A.P.A. Full Accreditation)
Supervised experience included:
- 4 years at the University Counseling Center
- 1 year in the Marriage & Family Practicum w/ concurrent graduate classes
- 1 year in a Community Mental Health Clinic
- Over 5,500 hours of supervised clinical experience
M.A. Southern Illinois University at Carbondale May 1996
Counseling Psychology (A.P.A. Full Accreditation)
B.A. Davidson College, N.C. May 1994
Major: Psychology Minor: International Studies with Spanish
Advanced study of Spanish history and poetry at the
University of Sevilla, Spain. Fluent in Spanish.
HONORS
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Disney Award- Paid Attendance to National Conference on Race and Ethnicity
Dean’s List, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
Graduation Cum Laude, Davidson College
PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
Hill, S.H. (2009). The Latest & Greatest on ADHD. Idaho School Counselor Association Annual Conference.
Hill, S.H. (2009). Treating Bipolar in Primary Care Settings. St. Luke’s Family Medicine Clinic.
Hill, S.H. (2009). Contemporary ADHD Research Update. Psychiatry Grand Rounds. St. Alphonsus Hospital in conjunction with Sage Healthcare.
Hill, S.H. (2004-2007). Contemporary Research Update on ADHD. Idaho Counselor Association Annual Conference, Boise Family Practice M.D. Residency Program, Meridian Joint School District.
Hill, S.H. (2005). Your ADHD Student Can Shine in School. Idaho Counselor Association Annual Conference.
Hill, S.H. (2002). Adapting Gestalt 2-Chair Techniques for Marital and Family Therapy. Idaho Counselor Association Annual Conference.
Hill, S.H. (2001). Guided Imagery and Meditative Relaxation Techniques. Idaho School Counselor Association Annual Conference.
Hill, S.H., Furness, T. J., Rueling Furness, S., Adkins, L. (2000). Brief Therapy Techniques for Parenting, Marital and ADHD Issues. Idaho School Counselor Association Annual Conference.
Nicholson, J. A., Hill, S. H., & Peaslee, A. (1999). Fears and Phobias: From Exhilaration to Terror. Idaho Counselor Association Annual Conference.
Hill, S. H., & Gilbert, D. G. (1997). Attribution-Making within the Distancer-Pursuer Dynamic. Chicago, IL: American Psychological Association 105th Annual Conference.
Rodgers, R., & Hill, S. H. (1997). Settling Down in Carbondale and the Counseling Psychology Program. Available from Department of Psychology, SIUC Mailcode 6502, Carbondale, IL 62901.
Hill, S. H. (1996). Adjusting to college. SIUC Mental Health Web [on line]. Available: http://www.siu.edu/offices/counsel/topics.htm.
PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
Private Practice Owner and Psychologist 2000- Present
Offices at Jefferson Street Counseling & Consulting, Boise
Duties: Full time private practice. Provided a mix of adult, child, group, couples and family therapy, along with ADHD assessment and psychological evaluations. Presented programs on a wide variety of mental health topics, at the practice, at professional conferences, and on-site for corporate employers. Therapy specialties include marital and family counseling, adolescents, effective parenting, divorce recovery, depression and anxiety, and ADHD assessment and treatment. All services are available in Spanish.
Psychologist and Program Development Consultant Nov. 2000- Oct. 2004
Terry Reilly Behavioral Health Center, Nampa
Duties: Part-time contracted position. Responsible for comprehensive reorganization and development of Terry Reilly’s Behavioral Health Center. Developed a large group counseling program to eliminate the agency’s lengthy wait list while simultaneously resolving no-show and productivity issues. Served as the functional supervisor of social work and support staff for 2 years. Bilingual service provision.
Doctoral Intern Aug 1998-Aug 1999
Center for Student Development (Counseling Center), University of Memphis
Duties: Full-time predoctoral internship. Counseled to 15-20 individuals and couples per week, and supervised a doctoral practicum student. Administered and interpreted personality, intelligence and achievement instruments. Tested and diagnosed learning disabilities and ADHD. Clients included African-American, Asian, Caucasian, African, Hispanic, learning disabilities and developmentally disabilities.
ADHD Resources
September 18, 2009
NPR Archives: Dealing with ADHD as an Adult 
A wonderful introduction to Adult ADHD, with top national researchers Edward Hallowell, MD and Patricia Quinn, MD answering questions from listeners. An interview with author Robert Jergen and several questions also cover ADHD in childhood.
National Resource Center on ADHD (sponsored by CHADD)
Extremely helpful articles on coping strategies for time management, parenting an ADHD child/teen, relationship and social skills, money management, and ADHD in the workplace. Don’t miss the “Living with ADHD” section.
The Hallowell Center
The resources section offers 15 articles by Dr. Edward Hallowell, author of Driven to Distraction and Delivered from Distraction. In the upper left corner you can subscribe to his email newsletter.
National Center for Gender Issues and ADHD: Recommended Books and Multimedia Library
This site’s public resources section reviews three excellent books on girls and women with ADHD. In general, the site educates adults, parents and teachers about how ADHD can manifest differently in girls and women. Multimedia presentations (or transcripts) include Making the Grade, How to Help Your Child, and ADD in the School: How to Stay in the Loop.
ADHD Info.com
Separate sections summarize information for understanding ADHD, what responsible treatment includes, and what info. on ADHD is myth vs. fact. Information is also broken down by category: for parents and caregivers, for school personnel, and for healthcare providers. The healthcare provider’s section gives references for ADHD scientific studies and professional journal articles. As available, the references give a link to read the original articles online.
Adult ADD Info
Hosted by psychiatrists Marc Schwartz, MD and Nicholas Schwartz, MD, this website lists symptoms to recognize ADHD in adulthodd, reviews the (very limited) helpfulness of expensive brain imaging for diagnosis, and describes how google can be used to send helpful reminders to your email or cell phone.
This site includes a good Adult ADHD Self-Test, though if you have concerns you really should pursue a thorough, professional diagnosis by a provider specializing in ADHD. In my professional experience ADHD is one of the most difficult diagnoses to make accurately, and relatively few mental health professionals have genuine expertise or training in ADHD diagnosis and treatment. Whereas many forms of depression and anxiety can be relatively straight-forward to assess, ADHD frequently goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as another condition, as ADHD symptoms often overlap or mimic other concerns. One large national study found that only half of those who genuinely had ADHD were currently treated, since the diagnosis frequently goes unrecognized by both the individual and the family physician. You can take the results of any self-tests you’ve done to this appointment.
Amen Clinics
This site hosts a second online Adult ADHD Self-Test, but please read the paragraph immediately above. Dr. Amen has archived SPECT images comparing normal brain images to both treated and untreated ADHD. Results are amazing, and Dr. Amen theorizes that up to 7 different subtypes of ADHD may exist, though similar behavioral and medical interventions are appropriate for multiple subtypes. For the curious, the process and science of SPECT imagery is also described. ADHD is fortunately one of the most heavily researched areas in mental health.
More Attention, Less Deficit
Psychologist Ari Tuckman showcases his two books and posts podcasts than can be played individually or subscribed on iTunes.
CHADD: Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD)
Brief general ADHD information, plus info. on public policy, recent legislation, and educational rights.
Schwab Learning: ADHD and LD Basics
Current articles on ADHD review the special risks and vulnerabilities for adolescents with ADHD, including academic or vocational failure, alcohol and drug abuse, risky sexual behavior, and dangerous driving.
ADDitude Magazine
A large, comprehensive website including resources for adults, parents of ADHD children, college students and more. Resources include a complete back-to-school guide, a review of medical and behavioral treatment options, how to work with schools, a college survival guide, and bulletin board forums on improving organization, career management, parenting, recognizing ADHD, and how to get an accurate diagnosis.
ADDvance: A Resource for Women and Girls with ADHD
Closely related to the National Center for Gender Issues and ADHD, this site offers a more extensive book library, plus resources of selected articles, online support groups, and a Parents’ ADHD Self-Test for Girls and an ADHD Self-Test for Teenage Girls., but please read the indented paragraph above.
ADHD Book List (Compiled by myself and colleagues since 2005)
Academic Accommodations & Educational Rights
Great Schools: Special Education FAQ
An extensive article (disponible EN ESPAÑOL) explains how IDEA legislation may be applicable to ensure a free appropriate public education to children with special needs. It reviews eligibility criteria and outlines examples of what parents can and can’t reasonably expect a public school district to provide. Note that in Idaho students with only an ADHD diagnosis typically qualify for a 504 Educational Plan rather than an IEP (Individual Education Plan). However, a carefully-crafted 504 plan will typically achieve the same goals for your child. Dr. Hill is happy to consult with parents about how to best “navigate the system” in Idaho schools to obtain an appropriate and cooperative response rather than just getting the run around.
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Idaho Parents Unlimited provides expert information and resources to parents of children with disabilities and professionals who serve those children. Coordinators have expertise about available agencies and services, give assistance in successfully accessing these services, and provide resources on individual and family coping with problem behaviors. Articles here outline what diagnoses qualify for assistance, and how best to prepare for an IEP or 504 meeting, often called a MDT or multidisciplinary team meeting. Dr. Hill frequently assists parents preparing for these meetings, and he can write a letter advocating for those specific academic accommodations that may best help your child succeed.
Broad Mental Health Websites that include ADHD Information:
Mental Health Net
Describes the symptoms of common mental health diagnoses, then reviews treatments, research, national organizations and support groups, and online support. To search the site, scroll down to the bottom of the page.
Psychology Info.com : Common diagnoses
Describes major mental health concerns organized clustered by global category (e.g. anxiety, depression). Includes a review of causes, subtypes and discussion of medical and psychological treatments.
Web M.D.
With content written and reviewed by our local company Healthwise, this site offers numerous articles and resources on both physical and mental health. The Drugs & Treatment tab takes you to an alphabetical list of medications, allowing you to see FDA indications and warnings.
Medscape: Mental & Emotional Health Info.
Pamphlet-type information for all categories of major mental health concerns, written by the National Institutes of Mental Health and Carenotes. Also sign up here to receive periodic newsletters with the newest news and research on select topics, like ADHD and Bipolar. Requires a quick, free registration.
National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) “For the Public”
Excellent reading, with more technical detail included. Printable pamphlets available here for yourself, or to share with family, friends, coworkers or teachers.
NAMI Idaho
NAMI is a nationwide organization dedicated to support, education and advocacy on behalf of people with a mental illness and their families. After creating a free online account, you can access numerous online discussion and support groups in a bulletin board format. Post your comments or questions, or just read about others’ experiences.
Mental Health Interactive
Extensive archived question-and-answer site, with questions solicited from the public in an “Ask Libby” format. Also lists national organizations and support groups. Easy to read, though answers may be more simplified than elsewhere.