WILSON, N.C. — February 13, 2019 — How do we engage in conversations about mental health? How do we challenge the stigma around mental health struggles in our communities? Dr. Tonya Armstrong, the recently elected president of the N.C. Psychological Association, will address these important questions in her upcoming presentation at Barton College on Thursday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. in Howard Chapel. The title of her lecture is “Identity, Spirituality, and Mental Health.” This program, which is a part of a series of events honoring Black History Month at Barton College, is open to the public at no charge, and the community is encouraged to attend.
“Dr. Tonya Armstrong brings a unique combination of expertise, experience, and grace to vital conversations around spirituality, identity, and mental and emotional health,” shared Barton College chaplain David Finnegan-Hosey. “I am keenly aware of how important these oft-stigmatized conversations are to the well being, not only of our students, but of our community as a whole. I know that Dr. Armstrong’s talk will offer important resources and encouragement for all of us as we work together for a healthy Wilson.”
For more information about the program, please contact Barton College chaplain David Finnegan-Hosey at 252-399-6368 or dfinneganhosey@barton.edu.
About the Speaker —
Dr. Armstrong is the first African-American woman to lead N.C. Psychological Association. In addition to her leadership role with the NCPA, Dr. Armstrong is the founder and CEO of the Armstrong Center for Hope in her hometown of Durham, (www.armstrongcfh.com), a private group practice of multi-disciplinary mental health professionals cultivating psychological and spiritual wellness for all ages. Dr. Armstrong first established her business in 2002 as a licensed psychologist in solo practice, and expanded her practice to the current location in Durham in 2010. She and her staff at the Center focus on psychological assessment, individual, couple, and family therapy, consulting, and continuing education. She frequently presents on the integration of spirituality into therapy; grief and loss in children, adolescents, and adults; and the ethics of cultural humility. Dr. Armstrong also recently authored and published the book and companion CD “Blossoming Hope: The Black Christian Woman’s Guide to Mental Health and Wellness.
Having double-majored in psychology and music at Yale University, she completed her Ph.D. degree in clinical psychology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, with a focus on child and adolescent issues. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at Duke University Medical Center with primary rotations in pediatric psychology and family therapy, and a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded postdoctoral fellowship at Duke’s Center for Developmental Epidemiology. Dr. Armstrong also holds a Master of Theological Studies degree from Duke Divinity School and maintains a commitment to ministry in settings across the community.
Dr. Armstrong has been a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) since 1993, and a member of the North Carolina Psychological Association (NCPA) since 1995. Additionally, she gained membership in NCPA’s Division of Independent Professional Practice in 2005, and joined the Insurance Committee in 2011. Along with her SWAT team colleagues, Dr. Armstrong received the 2015 NCPA President’s Award for their service to NCPA members and the public at large.
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