Thomas A. Parham, Ph.D. is a family man who with his wife Davida
and daughters Kenya and Tonya resides in the Southern California
area. Dr. Parham is Assistant Vice Chancellor for Counseling and
Health Services and Director of the Counseling Center, as well as an
adjunct faculty member at the University of California, Irvine.
Prior to his current position, he served as Director of the Career
and Life Planning Center and the Counseling Center at UCI. Before
returning to UCI in 1985, Dr. Parham held an appointment on the
faculty at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Dr. Parham grew up in Southern California and received his Bachelor's degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine. He completed his Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis and received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is licensed to practice psychology in California.
Since his return to Orange County 23 years ago, Dr. Parham has been an active member of this community, contributing his talents in the areas of social advocacy, community uplift, and youth empowerment. In 1986, he was appointed to the City of Irvine's Human Relations Committee. After being elected Chair of that committee, he helped them draft the City's first Human Rights ordinance, which was passed by the City Council. He also served as Chair of UCI's Martin Luther King's symposium for 10 years, and sought to extend the boundaries of the university community countywide. In the early nineties, he helped to charter the Orange County Chapter of the 100 Black Men (100 BMOC). While serving as their first Chair of the education committee, he helped to develop the 100's signature "PASSPORT TO THE FUTURE" program, and is the architect of their "Rites of Passage" component. He extended his reach and influence to the greater Los Angeles area by collaborating with the "COLLEGE BOUND" program to produce a similar Rites of Academic Passage component for their high school students. After much encouragement, he has taken the right of passage model and turned it into an international property that is now available for commercial sale. That program is known as The Bakari Project. He remains intimately involved with both programs to this day, despite being elected to serve as the 5th President of the 100 Black Men of Orange County organization in January, 2002, a term of service he completed in 2005. His efforts in this regard include collaborating with Turning Point Communications and the City of Irvine to host the Annual African American Business Summit; planning for a Fall Health and Wellness Summit; initiating an "Institutional Report Card" initiative to evaluate the quality of the educational experience for African American youth in Orange County schools; serving on Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona's Community Coalition; and helping to recognize and honor citizens of all colors who make a difference in the African American community, by co-chairing the 100's award committee for its annual Holiday Gala. Dr. Parham's tenure as president of the Orange County Chapter ended in June 2005. He has also served as national chair of education for the 100 Black Men of America.
Dr. Parham is a Past President of the National Association of Black Psychologists. He is also a member of the American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association. He is Past President of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (a division of ACA). He served on the editorial board for the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development for five years and completed a term on the editorial board of the Journal of Counseling and Development as well. He currently serves as an ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Black Psychology. He also serves as TREATING CLINICIAN for the NFL PROGRAM FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE
For the past twenty-five plus years, Dr. Parham has focused his research efforts in the area of psychological nigrescence and has authored numerous articles in the area. Writing in the areas of identity development and multicultural counseling remains his primary focus. He is the co-author of a book entitled The Psychology of Blacks: An African American Perspective 2nd ed. (Prentice Hall, 1990) and the author of a book entitled Psychological Storms: The African American Struggle for Identity (African American Images, 1993). His most recent book entitled Counseling African Descent People: Raising the Bar of Practitioner Competence published by Sage is now available. He has also co-authored the much updated 3rd edition of The Psychology of Blacks: An African Centered Perspective, which is currently available through Prentice Hall (2000). He is currently at work on the much anticipated fourth edition. In addition to authoring over thirty-five journal articles and/or book chapters, he has also produced several videotapes including Counseling African Americans, Youth and Violence, and Innovative Approaches to Counseling African Descent People which are available through Microtraining & Associates. He has also just completed work on a video tape with John Carlson through the American Psychological Association entitled "Working with African American Clients".
In consultations, public addresses, and television appearances throughout the United States, Dr. Parham has addressed such issues as Multicultural Counseling, Counseling African Americans, Cultural Competence, Youth and Violence, Coping with Stress, Characteristics of Exceptional People, Multicultural Education, Managing a Diverse Workforce, Effective Communications, Developing Effective Management and Supervisory Skills, Managing People, Conflict Resolution, and Team Building. He has worked with such corporations as Hughes Aircraft, United Way of America, AVCO Financial Services, American Red Cross, Xerox Corporation, Institute for Transportation Studies at UCI, California Hospital and Medical Center, Anaheim Memorial Hospital, Home Depot Corporation, the City of Burbank, the City of Chino, the Law Firm of Lathem and Watkins, the YWCA of Orange County, the Department of Energy in the state of Nevada, and numerous universities and school districts around the country. He is also a frequent speaker at local churches throughout the country
He has been interviewed and quoted extensively, in regional and national newspapers and magazines. He has also participated in the 2005 State of the Black Union hosted by Tavis Smiley airing on the CSPAN network. In characterizing him, some have written: "Parham is a gifted and charismatic speaker in the tradition of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Indeed, for many his presence as a public figure is transformative; the power of his innate humanity and manifest love conveying an overwhelming sense of acceptance and understanding. You feel a great many things in the presence of Dr. Parham; mostly, you just feel better". (Mears, 2002).
His honors and awards include selection as an American Psychological Association Minority Fellow in 1979 through 1982; receipt of the Outstanding Staff Person Community Service Award from the University of California, Irvine, in 1982; selection as an Outstanding Young Man in America in 1984; a Management and Professional Service Award from the University of California, Irvine, in 1987; the 1988 Research/Scholarship Award from the National Association of Black Psychologists; 1989 Research Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association's Minority Fellowship Program; receipt of the Research Award for Contributions to the Counseling Profession from the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development in 1991; election to Fellow status of Division 17 (Counseling Psychology) of the American Psychological Association in 1994; the Samuel H. Johnson Award for Exemplary Service and Scholarship from the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development in 1995; the Exemplary Community Service Award from the Orange County, CA Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P.; his recent selection to Fellow status in the American Psychological Association's Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues (Division 45) in 1997; the distinguished service award in 1998 from the Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce; his election to the title of "Distinguished Psychologist" by the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi's highest honor) in 1998; the APA "Dalmus Taylor Award" for Leadership, Scholarship, and Advising in 1999; and a University of California "Lauds and Laurels" award (one of UCI's most distinguished honors) for staff achievement in 2003; the Association of Black Psychologists, Certification and Proficiency in African Centered/Black Psychology – Board Certified Fellow and Board Certified Diplomate, July, 2007; the American Psychological Association – Division 17 – Society of Counseling Psychology Award for Lifetime Achievement in Mentoring, August, 2007.
For those interested in Dr. Parham's research and publications, you are invited to view a listing of publications.
Mailing Address:
University of California, Irvine
Counseling & Health Services
641 Aldrich Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-2215
(949) 824-4642
(949) 824-1235 (Fax)
Dr. Parham grew up in Southern California and received his Bachelor's degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine. He completed his Master's degree in Counseling Psychology at Washington University in St. Louis and received his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He is licensed to practice psychology in California.
Since his return to Orange County 23 years ago, Dr. Parham has been an active member of this community, contributing his talents in the areas of social advocacy, community uplift, and youth empowerment. In 1986, he was appointed to the City of Irvine's Human Relations Committee. After being elected Chair of that committee, he helped them draft the City's first Human Rights ordinance, which was passed by the City Council. He also served as Chair of UCI's Martin Luther King's symposium for 10 years, and sought to extend the boundaries of the university community countywide. In the early nineties, he helped to charter the Orange County Chapter of the 100 Black Men (100 BMOC). While serving as their first Chair of the education committee, he helped to develop the 100's signature "PASSPORT TO THE FUTURE" program, and is the architect of their "Rites of Passage" component. He extended his reach and influence to the greater Los Angeles area by collaborating with the "COLLEGE BOUND" program to produce a similar Rites of Academic Passage component for their high school students. After much encouragement, he has taken the right of passage model and turned it into an international property that is now available for commercial sale. That program is known as The Bakari Project. He remains intimately involved with both programs to this day, despite being elected to serve as the 5th President of the 100 Black Men of Orange County organization in January, 2002, a term of service he completed in 2005. His efforts in this regard include collaborating with Turning Point Communications and the City of Irvine to host the Annual African American Business Summit; planning for a Fall Health and Wellness Summit; initiating an "Institutional Report Card" initiative to evaluate the quality of the educational experience for African American youth in Orange County schools; serving on Orange County Sheriff Mike Carona's Community Coalition; and helping to recognize and honor citizens of all colors who make a difference in the African American community, by co-chairing the 100's award committee for its annual Holiday Gala. Dr. Parham's tenure as president of the Orange County Chapter ended in June 2005. He has also served as national chair of education for the 100 Black Men of America.
Dr. Parham is a Past President of the National Association of Black Psychologists. He is also a member of the American Counseling Association and the American Psychological Association. He is Past President of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (a division of ACA). He served on the editorial board for the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development for five years and completed a term on the editorial board of the Journal of Counseling and Development as well. He currently serves as an ad hoc reviewer for the Journal of Black Psychology. He also serves as TREATING CLINICIAN for the NFL PROGRAM FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE
For the past twenty-five plus years, Dr. Parham has focused his research efforts in the area of psychological nigrescence and has authored numerous articles in the area. Writing in the areas of identity development and multicultural counseling remains his primary focus. He is the co-author of a book entitled The Psychology of Blacks: An African American Perspective 2nd ed. (Prentice Hall, 1990) and the author of a book entitled Psychological Storms: The African American Struggle for Identity (African American Images, 1993). His most recent book entitled Counseling African Descent People: Raising the Bar of Practitioner Competence published by Sage is now available. He has also co-authored the much updated 3rd edition of The Psychology of Blacks: An African Centered Perspective, which is currently available through Prentice Hall (2000). He is currently at work on the much anticipated fourth edition. In addition to authoring over thirty-five journal articles and/or book chapters, he has also produced several videotapes including Counseling African Americans, Youth and Violence, and Innovative Approaches to Counseling African Descent People which are available through Microtraining & Associates. He has also just completed work on a video tape with John Carlson through the American Psychological Association entitled "Working with African American Clients".
In consultations, public addresses, and television appearances throughout the United States, Dr. Parham has addressed such issues as Multicultural Counseling, Counseling African Americans, Cultural Competence, Youth and Violence, Coping with Stress, Characteristics of Exceptional People, Multicultural Education, Managing a Diverse Workforce, Effective Communications, Developing Effective Management and Supervisory Skills, Managing People, Conflict Resolution, and Team Building. He has worked with such corporations as Hughes Aircraft, United Way of America, AVCO Financial Services, American Red Cross, Xerox Corporation, Institute for Transportation Studies at UCI, California Hospital and Medical Center, Anaheim Memorial Hospital, Home Depot Corporation, the City of Burbank, the City of Chino, the Law Firm of Lathem and Watkins, the YWCA of Orange County, the Department of Energy in the state of Nevada, and numerous universities and school districts around the country. He is also a frequent speaker at local churches throughout the country
He has been interviewed and quoted extensively, in regional and national newspapers and magazines. He has also participated in the 2005 State of the Black Union hosted by Tavis Smiley airing on the CSPAN network. In characterizing him, some have written: "Parham is a gifted and charismatic speaker in the tradition of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X. Indeed, for many his presence as a public figure is transformative; the power of his innate humanity and manifest love conveying an overwhelming sense of acceptance and understanding. You feel a great many things in the presence of Dr. Parham; mostly, you just feel better". (Mears, 2002).
His honors and awards include selection as an American Psychological Association Minority Fellow in 1979 through 1982; receipt of the Outstanding Staff Person Community Service Award from the University of California, Irvine, in 1982; selection as an Outstanding Young Man in America in 1984; a Management and Professional Service Award from the University of California, Irvine, in 1987; the 1988 Research/Scholarship Award from the National Association of Black Psychologists; 1989 Research Achievement Award from the American Psychological Association's Minority Fellowship Program; receipt of the Research Award for Contributions to the Counseling Profession from the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development in 1991; election to Fellow status of Division 17 (Counseling Psychology) of the American Psychological Association in 1994; the Samuel H. Johnson Award for Exemplary Service and Scholarship from the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development in 1995; the Exemplary Community Service Award from the Orange County, CA Chapter of the N.A.A.C.P.; his recent selection to Fellow status in the American Psychological Association's Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues (Division 45) in 1997; the distinguished service award in 1998 from the Orange County Black Chamber of Commerce; his election to the title of "Distinguished Psychologist" by the Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi's highest honor) in 1998; the APA "Dalmus Taylor Award" for Leadership, Scholarship, and Advising in 1999; and a University of California "Lauds and Laurels" award (one of UCI's most distinguished honors) for staff achievement in 2003; the Association of Black Psychologists, Certification and Proficiency in African Centered/Black Psychology – Board Certified Fellow and Board Certified Diplomate, July, 2007; the American Psychological Association – Division 17 – Society of Counseling Psychology Award for Lifetime Achievement in Mentoring, August, 2007.
For those interested in Dr. Parham's research and publications, you are invited to view a listing of publications.
Mailing Address:
University of California, Irvine
Counseling & Health Services
641 Aldrich Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-2215
(949) 824-4642
(949) 824-1235 (Fax)
Here you will find information on resources that can assist
you with issues related to careers, psychological counseling, a
full range of health care services, and a health/wellness
education. For even more information about who we are and what
our philosophy of service delivery, I invite you to visit my
office of the Assistant Vice-Chancellor or Mission Statement
links. To visit the units which comprise our Counseling and
Health Services, simply click on the office at the bottom of
each page. Enjoy your visit. For information on the Office of
Student Affairs, please click on the Student Affairs graphic
below, or visit
www.vcsa.uci.edu
Thomas A Parham, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Counseling and Health Services
Thomas A Parham, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Counseling and Health Services