About Dr. Bell

Erin C. Bell, Ph.D. is a clinical psychologist who enjoys working with both couples and individuals.  Dr. Bell obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi where she studied evidence-based psychotherapy, and published research on a variety of topics, including relationships and couple satisfaction. She completed her doctoral internship at the Charleston Consortium of Clinical Psychology.  After earning her degree, she pursued specialized training in couples work as a postdoctoral fellow at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in the Couples and Family Clinic before moving to Washington DC to be with her husband.  Upon arriving in the nation's capital, Dr. Bell worked as a clinical psychologist and program manager at the DC VA Medical Center in the Primary Care/Mental Health Integration Clinic.  In this capacity, she used her evidence-based approach daily to help military veterans confront issues ranging from everyday life stressors (i.e. job, relationships, money) to problems more severe (i.e. PTSD), all in the context of both couples and individual therapy.  During this time, she also established her own small, but thriving private practice in Old Town, Alexandria. With the expansion of her private practice, Dr. Bell has since transitioned from the VA and now works full-time at her Old Town practice, serving couples and individuals throughout the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.

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EDUCATION

  • 2014-3/2015 -Couples and Family Postdoctoral Fellowship (Ralph H. Johnson VAMC) Clinical Psychology Postdoctoral Fellow- Couples emphasis

  • August 2014 -Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi (APA Accredited Program)

  • 2013-2014 -Charleston Consortium Psychology Internship Program (Medical University of South Carolina/Ralph H. Johnson VAMC) Clinical Psychology Intern.

  • August 2011 -Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from The University of Southern Mississippi (APA Accredited Program)

  • 2000-2004 University of Southern Mississippi Bachelor of Science in Psychology

  • 2003 Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, England Spring Semester Study Abroad in UK

DISSERTATION

  • Bell, E. C. (2014). Do Social Communication Skills Mediate the Relationship Between ADHD Symptoms and Relationship Satisfaction? Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Southern Mississippi.

PUBLICATIONS

  • Marcus, D. K., Bell, E. C., & Mercer, S. H. (2015). Adding components improves treatment outcomes: Reply to Flückiger et al. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

  • Bell, E. C., Marcus, D. K., & Goodlad, J. K. (2013) Are the Parts as Good as the Whole? A Meta-Analysis of Component Treatment Studies. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 81(4), 722-736.

  • Marcus, D. K., Fulton, J. J., Clarke, E. J. (2010). Lead and conduct problems: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 39, 234 – 241.

  • Wickwire, E. M., Schumacher, J. A., Clarke E. J. (2009). Patient-reported benefits from the pre- sleep routine approach to treating insomnia:Findings from a treatment development trial. Sleep and Biological Rhythms, 7, 71-77.

  • LeBourgeois, M., Giannotti, F., Cortesi, Hopkins, S., Clarke, E. J., Sebastiani, T., Vagnoni, C., Wolfson, A., & Harsh, J. (2003). The relationship between sleep hygiene and sleep quality in Italian and American adolescents. Sleep, 26, A138.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • 2014-2015 Clinical Assistant Professor -Fundamentals of Patient Care -Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

  • Fall 2014 Guest Lecture, Exposure Therapy- The Citadel- Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

  • Summer 2014 Guest Lecture, Behavior Therapy-The Citadel-Military College of South Carolina, Charleston, SC

  • Spring 2012 Psychology Instructor, From February to May 2013 -Holmes Community College, Ridgeland, MS

  • Spring 2012 Guest Lecture, Careers in Psychology-William Carey University, Hattiesburg, MS

  • Spring 2011 Teaching Assistant, Research Methods-University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS

  • Fall 2011 Instructor, Developmental Psychology-University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS

  • Spring 2009 Teaching Assistant, Introduction to General Psychology-University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS

  • Fall 2008 Teaching Assistant, Introduction to General Psychology-University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS

Other Credentials/Experiences

CERTIFICATIONS/ACHIEVEMENTS

  • Licensed as a Clinical Psychologist (#0810005158), February 2015 Board of Psychology/Department of Health Professions, Commonwealth of Virginia

  • Primary Care Mental Health Integration Facility Trainer, August 2017

  • Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy Certification, 2018

  • PAIRS (Practical Application of Intimate Relationship Skills) Instructor, August 2016

  • Problem Solving Therapy Certified Provider, May 2015

  • Article featured in the Psychotherapy Practice Research Network, December 2013 “Are the Parts as Good as the Whole: A Meta-Analysis of Component Treatment Studies” was featured in December’s PPRNet blog

  • Zed Houston Burns Scholarship Award, Outstanding Junior Psychology Award, Spring 2003 Department of Psychology, University of Southern Mississippi

ADDITIONAL TRAININGS

  • PC-MHI National Rollout Train the Trainer, August 2017

  • Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy Training, June 2017

  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy for PTSD Workshop, August 2014

  • Prolonged Exposure Therapy Training for PTSD, December 2013

  • Cognitive Processing Therapy Training for PTSD, December 2013

  • Integrative Behavioral Couples Therapy Workshop, November 2013

  • Comprehensive Behavioral Intervention for Tics, December 2011

  • Introduction to Motivational Interviewing, July 2010