About Doris Chambers Vaughans, Ph.D., LPC, NCC
Prior to pursuing a career in professional counseling, Dr. Vaughans had a passion for caring for others as a Registered Nurse. Following the loss of her beloved father, Rev. Calvin Chambers, her heart was guided to work with the bereaved. Having garnered an intimate understanding of the many challenges embedded in the period of transition following loss due to death, she realized the heavy toll losses of all kind have on people. Thus, she began a career helping people and companies through loss transitions in 1999. Losses included death, changes in lifestyle due to retirement, accident and illnesses, and divorce, to name a few. She has extended her professional training and practice to include depression and anxiety management, PTSD, and many other life adversities.
Dr. Doris Vaughans has counseled more than 2,000 clients and families. She is revered as being a compassionate practitioner who is passionate about helping individuals, families, and organizations overcome life's adversities. She has been described by her clients as a "ray of hope" and one who "provides caring that matters, when it matters the most". She is also a sought after Professional Presenter, provides Grief Etiquette Coaching / Training, and is the facilitator of Intentionally Joyful Lifestyle "Funer-gy" Groups and Grief Support Groups.
Dr. Vaughans' list of accomplishments is lengthy including a earned PhD degree from the University of Alabama in Counselor Education and she teaches counseling classes at her alma mater, including counseling skills and multicultural counseling. She is the recipient of National and Statewide awards including the Alabama Counseling Association's Outstanding Practitioner Award and The Wilbur A. Tincher Humanitarian and Caring Person Award. She is also a published author and researcher.
Dr. Vaughans stated, "While those things are noteworthy, they are not the total representation of who I am. I love that through my work I am able to be my authentic self, a caring person who strives for excellence in all endeavors. There is an intrinsic reward for living a purpose-filled life of helping others at what may be the most challenging and difficult times in their lives. I am fortunate and humble."
Dr. Vaughans is a competent and ethical therapist. She governs her practice according to the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and the Alabama Board of Examiners in Counseling. Her initial expertise and training is in the area of bereavement. She temporarily relocated to Memphis to study under Dr. Robert Neimeyer , a grief and bereavement researcher, practitioner, and educator at the University of Memphis. She also developed a professional model of grief, The S.E.A.R.C.H. model of bereavement and she developed a grief therapy technique that was included in the book "Techniques of Grief Therapy", editor Robert Neimeyer, Ph.D. Currently, she is completing advanced study for certification in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy under Dr. H. Dixon Mitchell, Alabama Center for Cognitive Therapy. m
Dr. Vaughans has provided professional counseling services that have proven effective in diverse employment settings and organizations, in schools and universities, in the religious community, and in social organizational settings. She received her Associate degree in Nursing in 1986 and her Bachelor degree in Nursing in 1992, both from Troy University. She received a Masters degree in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University in 2007. Dr. Vaughans then earned her doctorate degree in Counselor Education from the University of Alabama in 2014. She is licensed to practice Professional Counseling in Alabama and Georgia.
Tuscaloosa Center for Cognitive Therapy
Offering Professional Counseling and Consultant Services that empower people and organizations
JLife Intentionally Joyful Lifestyle Groups Grief Etiquette Coaching and Trainings Professional Presentations