Meet Dr. Owenz
As a licensed and board-certified psychologist, I enjoy a multi-faceted career of working with clients, teaching, supervising clinical trainees, researching, and writing. Each aspect of my career informs the others, making me a well-rounded clinician, supervisor, and university instructor.
Board Certified and Licensed Counseling Psychologist
I am licensed to provide therapy at the doctoral level, having earned my Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Miami. My clinical abilities are further informed by my Master’s in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. Additionally, I have board certification in Counseling Psychology from ABPP and Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology in over 40 states.
Psychology Professor and Clinical Trainee Supervisor
I have been teaching psychology in bachelor’s and master’s programs for over 15 years at Penn State University, University of Miami, and Florida International University. I am currently serving as a clinical professor at Florida International University in a master’s program training students to become mental health counselors. My teaching is informed by my continual training and focus on evidence-based practice.
Research, Writing, and Speaking
I have authored and co-authored over twenty-five academic publications, including articles on flourishing marital relationships and parenting approaches. I wrote the popular press parenting book Spoiled Right: Delaying Screens and Giving Children What They Really Need (2021) and co-created the creativity-inspiring family board game, Starting Lines. I am honored to speak and present at schools, hospitals, and national conferences.
Licenses & Certifications
Pennsylvania Licensed Psychologist PS019742
Florida Licensed Psychologist, PY12477
Board Certified in Counseling Psychology, American Board of Professional Psychology
PSYPACT Commission Authority to Practice Interjurisdictional Telepsychology (APIT) in 42 states
Selected Research Publications & Presentations
Owenz, M. B. (2024). Building Resilience. Invited Presentation at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Owenz, M.B., Spencer, D. B., & Aydemir-Doke, D. (2024). ‘Institutional Betrayal’: The Return to Normal and College Students with Disabilities in the USA. Disability & Society.
Hyatt, S. & Owenz, M. B. (2024). Using universal design for learning and artificial intelligence to support students with disabilities. College Teaching. https://doi.org/10.1080/87567555.2024.2313468.
Owenz, M. B. (2023). Five Science-Backed Strategies for Managing Stress. Invited Presentation at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Owenz, M. B. & Cruz, L. (2023). Addressing student test anxiety and classroom inequities with alternative assessments. College Teaching. DOI:10.1080/87567555.2023.2245945
Aydemir-Doke, D., Owenz. M., & Spencer, D. B. (2023). Being Disabled Woman in a Global Pandemic: A Focus Group Study in the United Standards along with Policy Recommendations. Disability and Society. DOI:10.1080/09687599.2023.2225207
Owenz, M. & Fowers, B. J. (2020). A Goal Theoretic Framework for Parental Screen-Time Monitoring Behavior. Journal of Family Theory and Review, 12(3), 335-349. https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12384
Owenz, M., & Fowers, B. J. (2018). Perceived Posttraumatic Growth May not Reflect Actual Positive Change: A Short-term Prospective Study of Relationship Dissolution. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 36(10), 3098-3116. https://doi.org/10.1177/0265407518811662
Fowers, B. J., Laurenceau, J., Penfield, R., Cohen, L., Lang, S., Owenz, M., & Pasipandoya, E. (2016). Enhancing relationship quality measurement: The development of the relationship flourishing scale. Journal of Family Psychology, 30(8), 997-1007. https://doi.org/10.1037/fam0000263
Fowers, B. J., & Owenz, M. (2010). A eudaimonic theory of marital quality. Journal of Family Theory and Review, 2(4), 334-352. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1756-2589.2010.00065.x
Educational Background
Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, University of Miami
M.A. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on Marriage & Family Therapy, Pepperdine University
Advanced Clinical Training
I am a life-longer learner. I regularly pursue advanced training in the latest evidence-based treatments that will serve my clients. I have completed advanced training in mindfulness from UCLA, UCSD, and Brown University. I have received advanced training in couples and family therapy from The Gottman Institute and Integrative Behavior Couples Therapy.
College Courses Taught
Dr. Owenz has enjoyed teaching at five fantastic Universities over the past fifteen years, teaching over twenty-five different courses in counseling, psychology, and human flourishing.
Clinical Supervision
Community Psychology
Health Psychology
Ethics in Counseling & Psychology
Assessment in Psychology
Counseling Micro-Skills
Introduction to Marriage and Family
Psychopathology
Stress Management
The Art & Science of Human Flourishing
Personality Disorders
Clinical Psychology
Counseling Theories
Case Management
Children and Families
Human & Child Development
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