Cougar Interview—Gloria Morrow, M.A. ’93, Ph.D.
Gloria Morrow, M.A. ’93, Ph.D., one of the nation’s leading clinical psychologists, has helped thousands of people find inner healing through her teaching, counseling, and books. A recurring guest on CNN, national speaker, master trainer for the California Brief Multicultural Competency Scale (CBMCS), and the author of The Things That Make Men Cry, Morrow recently released findings from her groundbreaking work on the emotional side of men, and the psychological, physical, and spiritual consequences of silent pain.
APU LIFE: How did your APU graduate student experience pave the way for your career?
Morrow: APU showed me how to integrate the spiritual with the secular in psychology. Some people think psychology is value-free, but at APU, I found that I could be transparent about my faith and do the work God was calling me to do, both with people who identified as spiritual and those who did not.
APU LIFE: How does your faith play a role in your profession?
Morrow: My faith informs my work. I believe that our God is inclusive and loves all of us regardless of who we are or where we come from. I integrate principles like this into my profession at every level. I help my clients get rid of things that hinder them from being all that God wants them to be, so they can be successful in their life and faith. My favorite verse is 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” We must be the fragrance of Christ so others can feel Him when they encounter us. I remind myself that it’s not about me—it’s about Christ in me breaking chains in people’s lives.
APU LIFE: The Things That Make Men Cry features interviews with men who suffer from depression. What did you discover through these interviews?
Morrow: A huge burden of expectations exists around being a man in our society. Men are socialized to be protectors and providers, and emotional outlets like crying are viewed as weak. Many are emotionally drained, suffering from depression disorders because they can’t express how they’re feeling. Absentee fathers also serve as a common source of depression in men. Once, while speaking at a church, I asked, “How many of you are secretly crying because your dad is missing from your life?” I was shocked at how many men stood up and started weeping.
APU LIFE: How does The Things That Make Men Cry strive to reach readers?
Morrow: Each chapter includes a work piece—therapeutic activities that help men acknowledge their condition and begin healing. People can very easily read a book and come away with a good message, but it is more important that they actually do some work that brings about change. Many people have shared with me that this book inspired them to turn something around in their lives.
APU LIFE: What’s next?
Morrow: I am interested in doing some quality television work. I have a reel for a new television series to provide viewers with real strategies for letting go of anything that contributes to negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This will take what I’m doing now—helping people find inner healing—to the next level.
APU LIFE: What advice do you have for current students pursuing careers in psychology and counseling?
Morrow: Be sure to strike a balance—your life cannot be all work. Take time for family, friends, and most of all, God. People who go into this profession are givers, and sometimes it is hard for us to receive. I learned firsthand through many losses how important it is to be open to love and support from others. We can’t walk this walk by ourselves—God uses people to help us.
For more information about Morrow and her work, visit www.gloriamorrow.com.
Posted: May 27, 2013