Descriptive Dissertations
and Doctoral Projects:
1993 – present

The dissertations and doctoral projects listed on this page were typically chaired by faculty members, now teaching throughout the country, who were originally trained and supervised by Dr. Ossorio. In order to credit those Chairs, they are included at the end of each Dissertation or Doctoral Project citation.

Click the titles below to view project abstracts.

Abstracts can also be found using links in an author’s drop-down publications list,
accessed through the “SDP Members’ Publications
link under the “Publications” main menu choice.

Backstrom, J. (2015). A Descriptive Psychology Account of Patient-Centered Medicine and the Chronic Pain Patient. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Psychology. Boston, MA: William James College (Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology). Supervised by: Wynn Schwartz, Ph.D.

Beautz, S. (2010). The use of case study to train cross-cultural competence. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology. Boston, MA: Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (William James College). Supervised by: Wynn Schwartz, Ph.D.

Harnsberger, B. (2011). Status dynamics, through lines and the dramaturgical pattern of the recovering addict. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology. Boston, MA: Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (William James College). Supervised by: Wynn Schwartz, Ph.D.

Kennedy, P.M. (2018). A parametric analysis of socioeconomic status: How SES relates to mental health. (Unpublished doctoral paper). University of Denver, Denver, CO. Supervised by: Lynett Henderson Metzger (Chair), Sonja Holt, Ph.D., & Arthur Poczwardowski, Ph.D.

Shestok, J.M. (2011). Victim status: A Descriptive Psychology approach. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology. Boston, MA: Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (William James College). Supervised by: Wynn Schwartz, Ph.D.

Yermish, A. (2010). Cheetahs on the couch: Issues affecting the therapeutic working alliance with clients who are cognitively gifted. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology. Boston, MA: Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology (William James College). Supervised by: Wynn Schwartz, Ph.D.

Zeybekoglu, E. (2016). The status dynamics of anger management. Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology. Boston, MA: William James College. Supervised by: Wynn Schwartz, Ph.D.