A psychologist and widely renowned expert on hazing and school violence, she has long been a vocal advocate for victims.
Member of Adelphi University’s Profiles in Success program.
Psychologist and Author
Favorite Teachers/Mentors at Derner: Dr. Elaine Seitz and Dr. Jack HermanFirst investigate research project: ”Marriage Patterns on the Kibbutz” written while working with anthropologist Margaret Mead.
Advice to Derner students: ”Plan internships and employment in the location where you intend to open a private practice; thereby increasing your networking opportunities. However, if you have children do not practice and live in the same community.”
Bringing Psychology to the People
You might recognize Dr. Susan Lipkins from her appearances on various networks including Oprah, Larry King Live, The O’Reilly Factor, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and Countdown with Keith Olberman. A psychologist and widely renowned expert on hazing and school violence, Dr. Lipkins has long been a vocal advocate for victims; as she was when addressing the tragedy at Virginia Tech. She began a national conversation on mental health, noting that our system is broken.
In the wake of 9/11, Dr. Lipkins realized that the stigma surrounding mental illness was so strong that it prevented many from seeking psychological support. To counteract this trend she began a production company, Reel Psychology. Her first program was on sleep, followed by a documentary on hazing.
Her investigation into hazing started from the tragic events that occurred at Mepham High School in 2003. Shocked by the behaviors of adolescents, Dr. Lipkins turned to the literature to understand the motivations of the perpetrators. There were no psychological studies, which prompted her to create a documentary, write a book and lecture.
Preventing Hazing has become a seminal text on the subject, and Dr. Lipkins has presented her work at conferences and colleges throughout the country, including the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the American Psychological Association’s annual conference, and the American Association of Justice.
Dr. Lipkins continues her goal of bringing psychological information to the masses, wherever and whenever possible. She has been interviewed more than one hundred times, on the radio, in the press, and on television. She offers bite-sized information on a wide variety of psychological topics. Essentially she wants to share her knowledge with people throughout the world.
Dr. Lipkins notes that popular programs like Dr. Phil can actually have a very positive impact by bringing issues to the public’s attention. Even The Sopranoscan serve to pique interest in psychotherapy.
“Anything that engages peoples interest in psychology and/or offers help and hope is great,” she says.
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director
p – 516.237.8634
e – twilson@adelphi.edu