Lecturer
I believe that mental health professionals and educators are agents of change. We have the responsibility and privilege of helping people become their best selves. I have extensive experience teaching undergraduate and graduate coursework across the academic disciplines of Education / Special Education, Psychology and Counseling. I have served as faculty at the University of Oregon, Rutgers University, and the College of New Jersey. In 2014, I was awarded the rank of Professor. I currently serve as a lecturer in the Psychology Department at Sonoma State University, and serve as Adjunct Faculty in the Global Studies Program at the College of New Jersey. I am a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice.
I have conducted research and published in the areas of mental health in children and youth with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Post-Secondary Education for Students with Disabilities. I have conducted funded research and supervised student research at the Masters and Doctoral level. I enjoy the process of mentoring early career professionals, and am currently supervising LMFT and Psychology interns.
Baker, D. & Blumberg, R. (2011) Positive Psychology for Persons with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities. In Fletcher, R.J. (Ed.) Psychotherapy for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. Kingston: NADD Press.
Baker, D. & Blumberg, R. (2013) (Eds.) Mental Health and Wellness Supports for Children and Youth with Intellectual Disabilities. Kingston: NADD Press.
Bethea, T., Frazier, J., Blumberg, R., Bertelli, M., Stanfield, A. & Charlot, L. (2016) Autism Spectrum Disorders. In Fletcher, R., Barnhill, J. & Cooper, J. Diagnostic Manual - Intellectual Disability: A Textbook of Diagnosis of Mental Disorders in Persons with Intellectual Disability. Kingston: NADD Press.
Funded Research
2004-2006: Co-Investigator: Transforming Child-Parent Interactions in Typical Family Routines, National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development, award of $1,100,000.
2010-2014: Principal Investigator: Transition and Post-Secondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities, U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education programs, award of $1,280,900.
2017-2020: Principal Investigator: Redwood Coast Equity Project, California Department of Developmental Services, award of $375,000.