Family Attachment Lab
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Shelley A. Riggs, Ph.D. |
The Family Attachment Lab conducts research that will increase our understanding of the interpersonal processes underlying mental health and illness, particularly family interactions and attachment relationships. Dr. Shelley A. Riggs directs the UNT Family Attachment Lab, which consists of 8-10 graduate students and 3-5 undergraduate students.
Dr. Riggs earned her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and currently is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of North Texas (UNT). Her research interests primarily lie in the area of psychological risk and resilience in relation to attachment and family processes, as well as relational trauma and loss. Dr. Riggs supervises clinical practicum in the UNT Psychology Clinic and teaches a new course in Trauma Theory, Research, and Practice. In addition, she teaches the graduate Marriage & Family sequence, which was implemented in fall 2004 and complies with APA guidelines set forth by the Committee for Family Specialty. Importantly, in the third course of the sequence students have the opportunity to conduct family and couple therapy under live supervision.
Dr. Riggs also provides professional consulting services. For example, she has served as a consultant to grant investigators who utilize the Adult Attachment Interview (AAI). She is certified for reliability to code the AAI, trains individuals to administer the interview, and provides theoretical expertise regarding the interpretation of findings. In addition, Dr. Riggs has done forensic consulting regarding the family and attachment issues (e.g., psychosocial histories, child custody and visitation decisions).
CONTACT ME:
Office: Terrill 337
Phone: (940) 565-2672
Email: Riggs@unt.edu
Department of Psychology
P.O. Box 311280
Denton, TX 76203-1280
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