Dr. O’Callaghan is a licensed psychologist with thirty plus years’ experience working with individuals and families in Maryland. Arriving in Maryland in 1981, she completed an internship in Medical Psychology at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. An undergraduate degree in Psychology at Duke University, graduation with Distinction in Psychology, was followed by a graduate degree from Baylor University, with a dual focus on clinical psychology and biopsychology.
A career long focus on the mission of delivering clinical services in Maryland included several leadership roles. President of the Maryland Psychological Association, the state professional organization, in 1991 was followed by gubernatorial appointment to the Maryland Mental Health Commission in 1998 and to the Board of Examiners of Psychologists in 2000 and 2004. Ardent advocacy for consumers of psychological services in Maryland and nationally has characterized those leadership positions.
In 2006 the National Register of Health Psychologists recognized Dr. O’Callaghan with the Alfred Wellner Senior Lifetime Achievement Award for her professional efforts.
Working with individuals and families to solve life problems, navigate recovery from trauma and from life events including illness, divorce and major changes in work and financial life, Dr. O’Callaghan has focused her work on active problem solving and support for people within their families and communities. Experience directing clinical programs in inpatient and outpatient settings in hospitals, in a group private practice and through consultation with occupational, school and legal settings has provided a broad range of information about resources available for people undergoing tough times.
Throughout life, maintaining commitments to community and family have provided joy and fulfillment. Dr. O’Callaghan continues her volunteer work in the areas of language development for non-English speaking immigrants and has served on boards for individuals with speech and hearing impairments, among others. She has been certified as a contact tracer through Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, to offer volunteer support to the community during the COVID 19 crisis.