Last week, The Seattle School of Theology & Psychology announced the hire of Dr. Doug Shirley as Assistant Professor of Counseling.
Doug previously worked as adjunct faculty at The Seattle School, where he has taught Practicum I and II, Interpersonal Foundations, and History and Therapeutic Perspectives. He recently completed his doctoral degree in Pastoral Community Counseling at Argosy University, where he also spent several years as a faculty member teaching a broad range of subjects in the categories of psychology, professional writing, gender and human sexuality, and more. His doctoral dissertation focused on the emotional and relational lives of men in positions of spiritual authority.
After earning a Master’s degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, Doug and his family moved west to attend The Seattle School, where his wife, Laura Wade Shirley, completed an MA in Counseling Psychology in 2002 and Doug completed a Master of Divinity in 2006. Laura Wade Shirley currently works as a Practicum Leader at The Seattle School and as a Certificate Facilitator and Participant Care/Fellowship Supervisor at The Allender Center.
Doug and Laura Wade Shirley both work as therapists in private practice, and together they are raising three boys: Noah, Luke, and Eli.
“Doug brings a deep curiosity and hunger for the integration of counseling and theology and an earnest desire to work across disciplinary boundaries,” says Dr. J. Derek McNeil, Senior Vice President of Academics and Academic Dean. “I am looking forward to seeing how he and his family will partner with us to serve the mission of the school and strengthen our ability to serve God and neighbor.”