Elizabeth Earle-Warfel is a multi-discipline professional with over 18 years of teaching experience in the humanities, sciences, and art that included vocal music and classroom music instruction, choir directorship, and musical production. Elizabeth’s research interests are also multi-disciplinary that encompass psychology, neuroscience, and non-linear dynamics (chaos theory). Presently, she is an adjunct instructor with Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Florida where she teaches psychology courses. Her professional and academic expertise in curriculum development, teaching, religion, and research methodology bring considerable support to further the international and multi-discipline research goals of PSYmore.
Current Work
Currently, Elizabeth is pursuing her research interest in posttraumatic stress disorder (PSTD) via the lens of chaos theory. In her investigations, she has utilized a modified grounded theory approach to compare certain descriptive concepts of chaos theory with those used to describe the symptomatology of PTSD. Elizabeth has theorized that essentially, the presence of chaos on the neuronal level results in physiological responses and emotions, which precipitate thoughts and behaviors being manifested psychologically. She argues that there are four essential correspondences between chaos and PSTD, which suggest that chaos dynamics are active in the brain and body. These correspondences represent a useful model for a new understanding of PTSD in which four relationships are conceptualized: (1) the “periodic attractor” concept corresponds to the tendency of PTSD victims to repeat traumatic experiences; (2) the “neural chaos” concept corresponds to the exertion on mental health when there is the presence of low levels of chaos coupled with negative affect; (3) the “sensitivity to initial conditions” concept corresponds to the risk factors in PTSD; and, (4) the “chaotic bifurcations” concept corresponds to the phenomenon of positive affect outcomes resulting from therapy.
Beth’s theory has led to some intriguing future research for PSTD. One is whether there are measurable differences in the levels of brain chaos among trauma victims who develop PTSD, trauma victims who do not develop PTSD, and non-traumatized individuals. Secondly, do reduced levels of chaos contribute to the symptomatology of PTSD and other mental health disorders? Third, will memory attractors remain unmodified each time trauma stimuli are reintroduced, or will the patterns constantly evolve towards new forms. Fourth, will trauma cognitions, emotions, and physiological responses remain unchanged each time the same trauma
stimuli is introduced? Fifth, is the recall process the same among those traumatized having PTSD, those traumatized but having no PTSD, and non-traumatized victims? Lastly, if the brains of PTSD persons are found to contain less chaos, can periodicity be lessened to restore chaos to normal levels?
Background
Elizabeth’s experiences as a counselor lead to her current interests in post-traumatic stress disorder and other forms of anxiety driven psychopathology. During 1995, she was a counselor with the Family Counseling Center in Rockledge, Florida in which she assisted in implementing therapeutic measures with emotionally disturbed children under the guidance of the school counselor. She achieved positive results using primarily a Rogerian approach with play therapy to address classroom behavior, sexual abuse, divorce, parental neglect, and bullying. In addition, Elizabeth also counseled unwed teen-age mothers in a special school based program in Titusville, Florida in which the issues of goal setting, relationships, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and family relationships were addressed.
Elizabeth’s current interests in religion, spirituality, and psychological perspectives were first stimulated through her ministry work, which has spanned nearly thirty years. During these years, she has held various posts. She worked as a Church Growth Coordinator at First Presbyterian Church in Apopka, Florida from 1993−1994. She conducted seminars, assessed
program needs for growth and educational opportunities, trained adult volunteers for special ministries, and instituted new ministries. She accomplished many of the same goals as her internship at Wellington Presbyterian Church in West Palm Beach, Florida during the summer of 1993. From 1987−1993 she held the title of Children’s Ministries Coordinator for the Hudson Reformed Church in Hudson, Florida. In this capacity, she trained teachers and other volunteer staff, began new ministries, and acted informally as a counselor to many dealing with such issues as spirituality, child abuse, and divorce. During 1977−1986, Elizabeth held the position of Christian Education Director at the Princetown Reformed Church in Duanesburg, New York. While there, she administrated and assisted in planning and implementing the education
program and directed a volunteer staff of twenty-two Sunday School teachers and officers.
Elizabeth’s expertise with teaching has formed the backdrop of her presentations skills. From 1987−1990, she taught at the Wider Horizons Montessori School in Springhill, Florida in which she was the teacher and facilitator for kindergarten through the 8th grade. Her duties involved the development of individualized curriculum materials in math, reading, science, and art in the Montessori mode. She earned her teaching certificate in modern Montessori teaching methods and advised other teachers on the method. During 1973−1985, she was an elementary vocal music teacher for kindergarten through the 5th grade at the Berne-Knox-Westerlo Public Schools in Berne, New York. Her duties there also involved music classroom instruction, being the choir director, and producing their musicals.
Education
Ph.D. (Psychology), 2005, Saybrook Graduate School and Research Center, San Francisco, California
Masters of Divinity, 1994, Reformed Theological Seminary, Oviedo, Florida
B.S., (Music Education), 1970, The Kings College, Briarcliff Manor, New York
Educational or Professional Honors and Association Memberships
Professional Qualifications
Professional Memberships Current
Professional Memberships Past
Published Work
Methodological Expertise
Past Presentations
Elizabeth resides in Tampa, Florida with her husband. She may be contacted at ewarfel@psymore.org.
