University of West Georgia Psychology

Welcome to the Unofficial UWG Psychology Site

This student-run website serves as a dynamic and collaborative space for the University of West Georgia Psychology Department. Created and maintained by graduate students, this platform exists to inform, engage, and connect everyone in our academic community—from prospective students and faculty to current doctoral candidates and alumni.

What makes this site unique is its openness to contribution. Built with student involvement in mind, anyone in the department can shape its content. Whether you’re passionate about writing, research, media, or just want to share useful information, this is your place to do it. The site grows through collective effort, evolving into a shared knowledge hub that reflects the diverse voices and interests of the UWG Psychology community.

You’ll find a wide range of content here:

  • Articles and Commentary on the department, faculty, student life, psychology trends, and broader social issues.
  • Original Videos and Interviews featuring both students and professors, giving insight into research, academic journeys, and community experiences.
  • A Collaborative Knowledge Base built with wiki technology, allowing anyone to contribute pages on people, concepts, methods, organizations, events, and more.
  • Integrated Google Calendars for department-wide events and doctoral-specific activities, which you can easily sync to your personal calendar apps like Google Calendar or iCal.
  • Curated Feeds from Other Sites highlighting relevant articles and videos from across the web—academic and popular alike.

The website is also partially funded through affiliate links. If you’re planning to purchase books or anything else from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or AbeBooks, consider clicking through from our site. It costs you nothing extra, and a small percentage supports our hosting and maintenance costs. Extra funds go back into student initiatives and departmental events.

Ultimately, the success of this site depends on the people who use it. Whether you’re here to learn, share, or simply stay informed, we encourage you to get involved. Help make this a living, breathing portal into the UWG Psychology world—crafted by our community, for our community.

Thanks for visiting, and we hope you’ll be a part of what we’re building.

An Evidence-Based, Stepwise THC Detox Protocol for the UWG Community: Integrating Genetics, Physiology, and Lifestyle Factors

This protocol presents a stepwise, evidence-based approach to THC detoxification, emphasizing individualized assessment through genetic and physiological profiling. By integrating targeted nutrition, physical activity, hydration, and sleep optimization, the strategy adapts to personal needs while promoting sustainable clearance. Ongoing monitoring and adjustment ensure effectiveness and foster long-term wellness within the UWG community.

Effective Counseling Strategies for Students Seeking Cannabis Breaks or Detox: Integrating Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Harm Reduction Approaches

Future therapists supporting students through cannabis detox can benefit from integrating motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, and harm reduction. This review explores practical strategies for engaging students, addressing ambivalence, challenging cannabis-related cognitions, managing cravings, fostering healthy routines, and ethically supporting diverse goals, equipping clinicians to provide effective, student-centered counseling throughout the detox process.

A Thirty Day Self-Tracking Case Study of THC Half-Life: Daily Analysis of Saliva, Blood, and Urine Levels in a Single Participant

This thirty-day self-tracking case study systematically documents daily THC concentrations across saliva, blood, and urine in a single participant. Through rigorous sampling and validated analytical methods, the research reveals nuanced patterns in THC half-life, detection windows, and elimination rates, offering critical insights into biological variability and the implications for drug testing and personal cannabis use monitoring.

Expert Insights on THC Metabolism Variance: CYP Enzymes, Genetic Factors, and Adiposity in Cannabinoid Persistence

In this expert Q&A, a leading psychopharmacologist discusses how cytochrome P450 enzymes, genetic variability, and differences in body fat composition intricately shape THC metabolism variance. The conversation illuminates the interplay between enzymatic pathways, inherited genetic traits, and adiposity, providing a nuanced understanding of why cannabinoid persistence varies so widely among individuals.

Examining Mindfulness, Embodiment, and Cannabis: A Scholarly Round-Table on Transpersonal Perspectives and the Balance Between Mindful Use and Overuse

Mindful cannabis use, when approached with embodied awareness, can facilitate transpersonal insights; however, overuse risks disconnection from the very embodied presence mindfulness seeks to cultivate. Our dialogue highlights the necessity for intentional practice, recognizing both the transformative potential and the vulnerabilities inherent in integrating cannabis within mindfulness and embodiment frameworks.

Examining the Nexus of Stress Coping and Substance Use: Insights from Meta-Analytic Research on Cannabis Consumption

Meta-analytic research reveals a robust association between maladaptive stress coping strategies and increased cannabis use. Neurobiological findings indicate stress-induced changes in the endocannabinoid system, while psychological analyses highlight emotion-focused coping as a risk factor. Integrating these insights underscores the necessity for interventions targeting both neurobiological and psychological determinants of stress-related cannabis consumption.

Cannabis Use and Attitudes Among Students at UWG: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of Student Cannabis Attitudes and Behaviors

Survey data revealed that cannabis use is prevalent among UWG students, with attitudes ranging from acceptance to concern over health risks. Focus group discussions highlighted nuanced motivations, social influences, and perceived stigma. Integration of findings underscores the need for balanced campus policies and educational initiatives that address both harm reduction and shifting student cannabis attitudes.

The Influence of Psychoactive Plants on the Humanistic Conception of Self: Historical Perspectives, Cross-Cultural Practices, and the Role of Cannabis

Psychoactive plants have long catalyzed profound shifts in self-perception, influencing humanistic understandings of consciousness and identity. Across eras and cultures, their ritual and therapeutic uses reveal a persistent quest to expand, dissolve, or reframe the boundaries of the self—an inquiry now reignited in contemporary discourse through the lens of cannabis and modern humanistic psychology.

Shamanism Expert Visits UWG

Steven Schmitz, Ph.D., Co-President of the Association for Transpersonal Psychology, will lecture at 3:30p Thursday, Jan 17th in Melson 218. “The Therapeutic Benefits of the Shamanic Journey” Does the ancient spiritual practice of the shamanic journey have therapeutic value for 21st Century clients? Dr. Schmitz will offer a brief overview of the history of shamanism and […]

JSTOR Offers Open Access as Crusader Takes His Life

Academia has just become more relevant and approachable as JSTOR announced that the archives of 1,200+ academic journals are now available for free reading by the public. Anyone, including non-academics, can  now sign-up for a JSTOR account.   Non-academic accounts allow access to three articles per every two week period. JSTOR is available here. This […]

Transformation…

UWG Doctoral student Jon Skalski has been actively researching change with one of his former professors, Sam Hardy, at his alma mater BYU. Today this article was posted in BYU News on the research:  Psychologists: Scrooge’s transformation parallels real life-changing experiences It discusses the process of transformation with Scrooge as reference. The research will appear […]

Pro-business UWG Presidential Search Committee With Conflicts of Interest Announced

As a UWG student, it is of great interest to me that our current President will be stepping down at the end of this academic year and that a new one will be replacing him. I often think, dream, and reflect on what would be the ideal traits of someone who would captain of our […]

Tenure-track position open

Psychology Faculty Position. The Department of Psychology at the University of West Georgia announces a tenure-track Assistant/ Associate Professor position to commence Fall 2013. The department houses dynamic undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs engaging an integrative approach with roots in humanistic, existential/phenomenological, transpersonal, depth, critical, and feminist psychologies.  We emphasize human science and other […]

City of Carrollton GA responsible for death of 8 Year Old Boy?

Fresh from a few UWG grad students that were on the square tonight… We approached the square tonight to a symphony of police and fire lights.  News vans where present with their satellite antennas reaching for the sky.  Reporters were talking into the cameras.  Police were walking inside of a taped-in area with their gloves […]

Aimee Photos

Just a couple photos here of Aimee.  For a fuller collection, check out the Home Photo Bank.  It has a couple dozen photos of Aimee. Aimee is a bright light.         Updates and how to help Aimee and her family

Student Psychology Annual Research Conference

The department of psychology is honored to present: The 14th Annual Student Psychology Annual Research Conference (SPARC) one of the largest student psychology conferences in the Southeast! To be held on Thursday Thurs April 12, 2026 Lunch: 11:30-1pm. Talks start at 1pm and will end around 5:00pm. Location: Melson Hall classrooms. SPARC is a research […]

Aimee Copeland

Thank you for coming to this site to read updates on Aimee, and to learn how you can be of support to her and her family. As of today, Thursday, May 26, all updates will be on a new website that I set up for her This new site is the same collaborative effort between […]

Trauma and the Ontology of the Modern Subject: John Roberts: Oral Defense of PhD dissertation

The College of Social Sciences’ Department of Psychology would like to announce the oral defense of the Ph.D dissertation of John Roberts. The defense will be held in the Dean’s conference room, Pafford building, 3rd floor on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 at 2:00 PM TRAUMA AND THE ONTOLOGY OF THE MODERN SUBJECT John Lloyd Roberts, […]

Obituary: Clark Moustakas

We pass this news on to you… “It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Clark Moustakas, esteemed co-founder of the Michigan School of Professional Psychology, brilliant scholar and transformative spirit. Clark passed away Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at his home in Farmington Hills, Michigan leaving behind a rich and remarkable legacy. […]

Obituary: Georg Feuerstein

We are sad to belatedly announce another immense loss to the scholarly community… Noted Indologist, author and self-described “champion of traditional yoga,” Georg Feuerstein has died. His wife and teaching partner, Brenda L. Feuerstein, made the following announce