This page provides a brief description of the background and experience of Dr.
Tom Dorsel regarding his practice of clinical and health psychology. Scroll
down this page for a brief narrative description of the career phases listed
below, as well as for links at the bottom of the page describing Dr.
Dorsel's current clinical practice.
Pre-doctoral Training
Dr. Dorsel's pre-doctoral training led to his receiving the Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of New Mexico in 1974 with an emphasis on applied-experimental psychology. He was particularly interested in learning theory as it applied to matters of education, development, health, sports, clinical and social issues. This work culminated in his taking a position at Western Carolina University where he served on the faculty for 12 years.
Post-doctoral Training
Midway through his tenure at Western Carolina University, Dr. Dorsel returned to graduate school for post-doctoral work in clinical psychology. This work included one year of clinical course work as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the APA-approved clinical program of the University of New Mexico, followed by an APA-approved clinical internship at the University of California, Davis, Medical Center in Sacramento, CA.
Early Career Practice
Subsequently, Dr. Dorsel returned to full-time teaching at Western Carolina University where he now taught a course in psychotherapy as well as beginning a part-time private practice of clinical psychology in Sylva, NC. He also developed an employee-assistance program for C.J. Harris Hospital, and later extended his clinical work to Asheville, NC, where he served as a part-time staff psychologist for Thoms Rehabilitation Hospital.
Later Career Practice
Four years later, Dr. Dorsel left Western Carolina
University for Francis Marion University in Florence, SC, where he became
Director of Clinical Psychology in the Graduate Program. In addition to
teaching individual, group, and family psychotherapy at the University, he
served as Director of Clinical Psychology and Behavioral Medicine for
Healthsouth Rehabilitation Hospital and also continued with his part-time
private practice, now in Florence.
During this period, Dr. Dorsel served two terms as President
of the South Carolina Psychological Association. His publications in
clinical and health psychology can be found in such journals as Behavior
Therapy, Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, Journal of
Clinical Child Psychology, Health Psychology, Psychology and Health, Journal of
Advancement in Medicine, Journal of Pediatric Psychology, The American Journal
of Hospice Care, and the American Psychologist. He has also
presented on several occasions before the American Psychological Association
as well as before regional and state associations. For details on
publications and presentations, click on resumé at the bottom of this
page.
Current Practice
Dr. Dorsel continues to teach in the Graduate Program at Francis Marion University, having stepped down as Director a few years ago. Presently he is coordinating the clinical internship which was initiated during his tenure as Director of the Program. His off-campus clinical work is now reserved exclusively for his private practice. Click at the bottom of the page for (1) the types of therapy Dr. Dorsel offers, (2) information about appointments and fees, (3) procedure for referrals, and (4) information about group consultation and seminars.
How to Contact
For private clinical consultation, Dr. Dorsel can be reached at 843-618-4653.
For more information, click on any of the following: