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Dr. Ayo Maria Casey Gooden provides individual, couples, and family therapy for firefighters and law enforcement personnel (including recruits, inactive and retired) and their families. Dr Gooden provides debriefing for individuals and groups to address shootings, attacks and other incidents that occur in the line of duty and the continuing effects of trauma experienced due to daily exposure to hostile/potentially hostile and dangerous/life-threatening environments or situations that create stress due to the need to always be ready for the unexpected. Dr. Ayo addresses Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the effects of being a family member of someone who is a firefighter or who works in law enforcement and is experiencing PTSD and other stress related disorders including, poor impulse control (anger), anxiety and depression. Dr. Gooden addresses the stressors related to work issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, suicides, homicides, assaults, rapes, and other violent crimes. Dr. Gooden provides a confidential space to share personal experiences, related to work (such as the use of deadly force) and home (including the fears family members may have for the safety of their loved one), in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Dr. Ayo is also an Adjunct Professor at Lincoln University, PA (General Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Psychological Assessment, and Race Ethnicity and Health), a consultant, program evaluator, speaker, researcher, grant writer, and author. She is also focusing on using movies to educate and create healthy images.All sessions are confidential. More information regarding Dr. Ayo Maria Gooden may be found on her Web site at www.doctorayo.com
Credentials Dr. Ayo Maria Casey Gooden is a Licensed Psychologist in Pennsylvania. Dr. Ayo, as she prefers to be called, is also a Board Certified African Centered/Black Psychologist, Diplomat and Fellow. Prior to moving to Pennsylvania, Dr. Ayo was a Licensed Psychologist in Kentucky and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Ohio. She earned her Ph.D. and M.A. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. Her B.A. was earned in Psychology from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania.