Dr. Marcy Gunn
Interviewed by Jon Cleveland, Ph.D.
1) What is your current occupation?
I am a Licensed Clinical Psychologist at Cordell Associates, LLC, where I began working as a postdoctoral trainee in 1995 and took over ownership in the beginning of 2017. I provide individual and family therapy to children, adolescents and adults, along with carrying out many of the practice’s administrative responsibilities, as well as sharing supervisory duties for our WSU SOPP practicum students and for postdoctoral trainees.
2) Where were you educated?
I earned my Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Wright State University. Four years later, I earned my Psy.D. at the WSU School of Professional Psychology.
3) What inspired you to choose a career in psychology?
My career aspirations developed over time from my very earliest childhood. My first memories include realizing that my older brother had the then extremely rare and barely recognized condition of autism. I remember many times wanting to become a teacher that could help him communicate with the rest of us (he was almost completely nonverbal) and at other times considering becoming a doctor who could try to find a “cure” or treatment for his condition. I also found myself from the time I could talk to be in an unusual circumstance of teaching (most) adults, who had never heard of it what autism was. These early experiences, along with later learning about the history and impact of mental illnesses and various traumatic events in other members of my extended family, ingrained in me a desire to try to understand the human brain, study our cognitive/social/emotional development, and find ways to intervene that can help individuals best achieve their potential capabilities and goals, despite their challenges.
4) What is most rewarding about this work for you?
I find many aspects of my work to be truly, deeply rewarding. From the start of my career, I have always enjoyed the process of building rapport and connecting with my clients and of seeing the rewarding results of implementing interventions that have helped them to find ways to make the changes they want to achieve in their lives. Also, over the years, I have felt more and more pride and satisfaction in being able to supervise and mentor many new psychologists and other early career mental health professionals. It has been particularly rewarding to hear from them later about the accomplishments they are achieving across the country.
5) What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
The greatest challenges in my work presently include my own struggles with keeping up with all the various responsibilities I have taken on, but particularly involve the mundane paperwork aspects of the job. Also, I do not enjoy the litigious tendencies in our society and the sometimes inappropriate, misinformed, and/or misguided efforts of clients or parents of clients to draw my assessments or therapeutic work into their legal battles!
6) How do you keep your life in balance (i.e., what are your hobbies)?
My hobbies and leisure outlets include, first and foremost, fun times with my family and friends. I love my role as an aunt to my niece and two nephews, and I revel in any opportunities to be with them and with other family members. I love to travel and have been fortunate to have explored much of the USA (over 40 states, so far!) and several other countries over the course of my journeys during childhood and as an adult. I also have particularly valued my pets (dogs and cats) over the years, and have been committed to helping animal rescue organizations. My leisure favorite activities have also included attending many live music rock concerts over the years and reading (mostly novels). Additionally, I enjoy the occasional meal out, especially at locally owned and sourced restaurants, with close friends.
7) What are your future plans?
I hope to have the health and energy to continue my current practice duties for many years to come! Also, I hope to complete my “bucket list” of traveling to the remaining US states and various other world destinations that I have yet to experience.
Contact Information: Marcy Gunn, Psy.D.
Cordell Associates, LLC, 6520 Poe Ave. suite 200
Dayton, OH 45414, (937) 276-3356