Lora
Erickson
Lora Erickson
- Campus: Online
- Department: Master of Arts in Psychology
- Institution: The Chicago School
Biography
Dr. Lora Erickson is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in the states of Illinois, Florida, and Colorado, an international psychologist, and core faculty at The Chicago School in the MAP (Masters of Applied Psychology) program online. In addition, she is a therapist for a private, telehealth counseling platform. She also serves as a reader in the graduate International Psychology program online with The Chicago School. She has 15 years of online teaching experience in psychology. She is a subject matter expert in course review and revision in areas such as tests and measures, diversity, gender and leadership, trauma and crisis intervention, and professional ethics. She has held multiple positions within the American Psychological Association such as the Division 52 Early Career Psychologist Chair (2021-2023) and currently serves as an Associate Editor for APA Division 2 Teaching Psychology's online publication, "This is How I Teach." Dr. Erickson also supports multiple students within the McNair Scholars Program and currently serves as the National Faculty Council Representative for the MAP department, as well as for International Psychology. She is also a member of the Dissertation Steering Committee and Student Community Standards, as well as ASERC.
Her research interests include the cross-cultural study of resiliency and protective factors, emergent professional identity models within the field of international psychology and related disciplines, as well as the sensitivity of qualitative methodology in trauma-based work. She was awarded first place from APA's Division 52 for her ECP poster presentation at the Society for Cross Cultural Research convention (2020), named Online Adjunct of the Year at The Chicago School in 2020, and earned the Award for Public Service in Teaching at The Chicago School in 2025.
Education History
Degree Institution Year PhD The Chicago School of Professional Psychology , Chicago, IL 2017 M.A. Lincoln University , Lincoln, IL 2008 B.S. Illinois State University , Normal, IL 2005 J.D. The Colleges of Law , Ventura, CA 2028 Professional Memberships
Role Organization Member American Psychological Association (APA) Division 52 Lifetime Member Psi Chi Member and Editor APA Division 2 Presentations
Title Location Date Explorations in international psychology: An identity model Seattle, WA (SCCR) 2020 Data blitz: Original research in international psychology: ECPs and recent studies. Virtual APA 2020 Cross-cultural investigation of resiliency and protective factors: United States and Guatemala. Seattle, WA (SCCR) 2020 Panel discussion: International counseling trainees’ experiences in cross-cultural relationships in supervision. San Francison, CA (APA) 2019 Explorations in international psychology: A transformational identity model San Francisco, CA (APA) 2019 International psychology & online education. San Francisco, CA (APA) 2019 Ethical considerations in trauma research and the sensitivity of qualitative methodology. Jacksonville, FL (SCCR) 2019 Internationalizing efforts in psychology to address global issues: Perspectives from ECPs. Washington, D.C. 2018 Rebellions built on hope and resiliency Kissimmee, FL 2017 Defining women Lincoln, IL 2013 The Stress Buffering Effects of Therapy Dogs on a Multicultural Campus virtual APA 2021 International Psychology Publication: An Experience in the Peer Review Process. International Education Week-TCSPP 2021 Cultural Engagement and Remote Praxis: Navigating as Researchers, Clinicians, and Educators During COVID-19 TCSPP Alumni Speaker Series Presentation 2021 Cultural engagement and remote praxis: Navigating as researchers, clinicians, and educators during COVID-19 Minneapolis, MN (APA Convention) 2022 Internet addiction in preadolescence to young adults: Profiles, consequences, and treatment methods. Washington, D.C. 2023 Cognitive bias: Teaching trauma-informed care through intercultural competency skill development. Washington, D.C. 2023 Community Involvement
Role Organization Volunteer Adams 12 Gifted & Talented Parent Group Volunteer Eagleview Elementary School PTA Areas of Expertise
Area Expertise Child & Adolescent Development Social Development Diversity Social Justice and Advocacy Ethical & Legal Issues Code of Conduct for Counselors Code of Conduct for Psychologists Psychology Subdisciplines - International Psychology PTSD/Trauma Crisis Intervention Post-Traumatic Growth Research Design/Methodology Qualitative Inquiry Sexuality/Gender Issues LGBTQ Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Multicultural psychology Therapeutic/Theoretical Orientation Solution-Focused Counseling Therapy Licenses
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor , Illinois Clinical Mental Health Counselor & Qualified Supervisor , Florida Licensed Professional Counselor , Colorado Publications
Book Chang-Lim, E., & Erickson, L.L. (2023). Talking about adolescence: Book 1 anxiety, depression, and adolescent mental health. : Mind Stir Media.
Mayes, F., & Erickson, L. (2023). Teaching tips: A compendium of conference presentations on teaching. : Society for the Teaching of Psychology.
Chapter McGrath, B., Erickson, L., & Mayes, F. (2020). Social dislocation. In Regan Gurung (Ed.) The Routledge Research Encyclopedia of Psychology Applied to Everyday Life: Routledge.
Journal Erickson, L., & Pecanha, V. (2022). Young emancipated women in Guatemala: Examining social support contributing to resilience.. International Perspectives in Psychology: Research, Practice, Consultation, 11 (1), 3–17.
Website Erickson, Lora. (2019). Boyer’s model of scholarship: Discovery. Retrieved from lapu.edu
Erickson, Lora. (2020). Boyer’s model of scholarship: Inclusivity.. Retrieved from lapu.edu
Question and Answer
Please describe your teaching philosophy. My philosophy of teaching and education is one that embraces each student as uniquely and purposefully capable of achieving success not only in the classroom, but also in the professional world. The ability of the instructor to understand the diversity of students present in a TCSPP classroom is critical in this regard, particularly in online learning communities. I view each classroom experience as a specific ecological system that is undoubtedly subject to the larger contextual world, and thus places learning on a continuum. Each student brings their own experiences, relative to a variety of larger systems that they are a part of. In addition to experiences, students also present with unique thoughts, feelings, and even biases that can and should be gently but meaningfully challenged in order to create an environment of academic rigor and excellence. A didactic, professional relationship between student and professor cultivated by honest dialogue and thought-provoking feedback is essential in creating and maintaining a high-quality classroom.
My experiences teaching in a variety of classrooms (online, face to face, private, public, etc.) have required that I am flexible to the values and perspectives of each student. I place the utmost value on academic freedom and tolerance for diverse worldviews. These teaching experiences have uniquely positioned me to educate students with varying personal ideologies well.
Please provide a statement or philosophy regarding the practice of psychology. Psychology is a science and one that must embrace a global focus in order to truly understand the diversity of how people think, feel, and behave around the world. Diversity is one of my most passionate topics of study and teaching psychology through this lens is necessary for comprehensive research and application endeavors.
Why did you choose to enter the field of psychology? I love people and their stories. I enjoy hearing, reading, and learning about how people think, feel, and behave all over the world. I enjoy looking for and appreciating the similarities and differences of these experiences and embrace the strengths, challenges, and opportunities that the psychological sciences bring.
What advice would you give to a student entering The Chicago School? Get ready to embrace a student-centered, empowering, challenging, and unique experience as a TCSPP student. You will connect and engage with a diverse student body and faculty, as well as new ideas, innovations, and opportunities. We are here to support you to achieve your academic and professional hopes and aspirations. We are thankful for you!