Joseph Plaud
Joseph Plaud: Foundations of Psychology
Joseph Plaud
Joseph Plaud is a clinical psychologist who is interested in the philosophical and historical foundations of his professional discipline. He is especially interested in the theoretical underpinnings of behaviorism and behavior therapy, and the accurate dissemination of behavior analysis in public forums. Joseph Plaud holds a Ph.D. from the University of Maine. He is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and New York.
Website: http://josephplaud.wordpress.com/
Location: Whitinsville, Northbridge, MA, USA
Phone: 508-579-0043
Joseph J Plaud: Lessons from the Great Depression
The Great Depression was a trying period in American history. Many people lost hope and were frustrated by life. Starvation and depression was rampant, and for a while, the outlook seemed bleak. Joseph J Plaud’s grandmother was a young woman in that time, so she witnessed the despair first-hand. She had many stories to narrate to Joseph J Plaud as he grew, some of which he took to heart. As a psychologist, Joseph J Plaud believes there are lessons to be learned from this dark time in history.
Where there is a will, there is a way
Even though food was scarce and jobs were few, the leaders at the time did not lose hope of a bright future. Franklin Roosevelt worked hard to ensure that he led America out of that dark time. Life is not always going to be smooth. In the rough patches, you have to demonstrate confidence in your abilities to overcome. It wasn’t easy, but FDR put in place mechanisms that lifted the U.S. out of trouble and catapulted it into one of the world’s leading nations.
Focus on your goals
It is easy to lose track of your goals once challenges begin to emerge. While you may have to adapt to counter these challenges, never lose focus of your goals. FDR never lost track of his goal to lead the nation to recovery. Politics and pandering by interest groups and parties was strong, but he never swayed. He kept the welfare of the American people as his focus and he succeeded.
Joseph J Plaud: Lessons from the Great Depression
The Great Depression was a trying period in American history. Many people lost hope and were frustrated by life. Starvation and depression was rampant, and for a while, the outlook seemed bleak. Joseph J Plaud’s grandmother was a young woman in that time, so she witnessed the despair first-hand. She had many stories to narrate to Joseph J Plaud as he grew, some of which he took to heart. As a psychologist, Joseph J Plaud believes there are lessons to be learned from this dark time in history.
Where there is a will, there is a way
Even though food was scarce and jobs were few, the leaders at the time did not lose hope of a bright future. Franklin Roosevelt worked hard to ensure that he led America out of that dark time. Life is not always going to be smooth. In the rough patches, you have to demonstrate confidence in your abilities to overcome. It wasn’t easy, but FDR put in place mechanisms that lifted the U.S. out of trouble and catapulted it into one of the world’s leading nations.
Focus on your goals
It is easy to lose track of your goals once challenges begin to emerge. While you may have to adapt to counter these challenges, never lose focus of your goals. FDR never lost track of his goal to lead the nation to recovery. Politics and pandering by interest groups and parties was strong, but he never swayed. He kept the welfare of the American people as his focus and he succeeded.
Joseph J Plaud: Overcoming Various Fears
Joseph J Plaud’s interest in Franklin D. Roosevelt as a junior in high school began with the tales his grandmother told him about the man. His grandmother had lived through the Great Depression, and she had so much to share about the 32nd president. “She was a young woman during the Depression, and she talked about him like he was a close personal friend of hers,” Joseph J Plaud said of his grandmother.
Being an avid historian with an interest in the FDR administration, Joseph endeared to learn more about the man. One quote from FDR that he keenly remembers is “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” People suffer from various fears, but Joseph J Plaud wants his clients to know that fear is conquerable.
Fear of success
This is one of the most paralyzing forms of fear. You begin to succeed and somewhere along the way something deep inside convinces you that you are not worthy of success. Fear of success happens on a sub-conscious level, explains Joseph J Plaud, and requires one to constantly encourage themselves they are worthy of being successful. If allowed to continue, it affects self-esteem.
Fear of the unknown
This form of fear usually keeps many small business owners up all night. You constantly project fear about the future, and constantly dream up “What if…” scenarios. The future is uncertain, but it does not have to be feared. Keep to the activities and wise decisions that bring you joy in the present, and you will not be afraid of the future, says Joseph J Plaud.
Joseph J Plaud: Maintaining Good Mental Health
Joseph J Plaud is a widely respected clinical psychologist whose work in psychology is recognized. His research and work as the executive director of Applied Behavioral Consultants, usually has him interact with patients with varying degrees of mental issues. Even though his research tends to focus more on sexual disorders and dysfunctions, he realizes the importance of maintaining good mental health. Taking care of your psychological well-being gives you the strength to tackle life’s challenges.
To maintain optimal physical health, you have to eat well and exercise regularly. In the same way, maintaining mental health requires you to work at it. A positive mental outlook makes it easier to recover from serious illnesses, and provides the confidence to grow and succeed. As Joseph J Plaud knows, one of the essentials of good mental health is keeping positive relationships with family and friends. These positive connections keep you happy and cheerful, which is good for the mind.
You have to be willing to challenge yourself in order to grow. Just as weight lifters constantly increase the weights in order to build muscle, you have to be willing to learn new skills and put yourself in unfamiliar situations to grow mentally. Expand your comfort zones and tackle new problems as a way of developing your self-confidence.
Good mental health also stems from having a strong sense of character and personal values, says Joseph J Plaud. Everybody has their own experiences from which they can learn. The values and lessons you put to heart contribute greatly to how you train your mind to respond to personal challenges.
Joseph J Plaud is actively involved in his church, and donated his web design skill towards the creation, and continued maintenance, of www.providencecathedral.org, the website for the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul in Providence, Rhode Island.
Joseph J Plaud: Caring for Mentally Ill Patients
As a clinical psychologist, Dr. Joseph J Plaud is actively involved in research and clinical work in the field of psychology. His work tends to be focused on behavioral analysis and the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders. Many of his patients turn to him to deal with the mental issues, and he works extra hard to establish links to appropriate community-based resources for treatment and supervision. He also recognizes that many mental patients have families that might be at a loss on how to care for their loved ones. To this effect, he offers tips on how family members can help their loved ones lead normal lives again.
Maintain positive attitudes
An extremely important way to help a mental patient through their recovery is by constantly instilling hope and positivity. Many mental patients experience feelings of gloom, so it is important to encourage them of a brighter future. Helping these patients gain a positive outlook goes a long way in helping them recover their confidence and self-esteem.
Communication
It can be difficult at times to carry on normal conversations with a mentally ill patient, but it is possible with a lot of patience. Improving communication can be done through speaking calmly, maintaining eye contact, and presenting a single idea at a time. Patience is extremely important during this period.
Lots of love
The fact that a family member is mentally ill does not change their place in the family. They are still to be loved and shown affection. Treat them as you normally would, and they will certainly appreciate the effort.
Shell-Shocked: An Overview of PTSD with Dr. Joseph Plaud
Dr. Joseph Plaud completed his psychological internship at the Jackson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Jackson, Mississippi. While there, Joseph Plaud met with several veterans with a variety of troubling health issues. One of the prevalent health issues Joseph Plaud learned to treat effectively was Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. Today, Joseph Plaud provides an overview of PTSD for readers, as well as tips for helping loved ones cope with this debilitating condition.
What is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a psychological disorder first diagnosed in veterans. However, Dr. Joseph Plaud says, PTSD occurs in civilians as well. Civilian sufferers may be victims of abuse, bullying, natural disaster, kidnapping, rape, or crime. Police officers, firefighters, and medics are susceptible because of the high stress in their jobs. Those whose biological relatives experience mental illness are also at risk for PTSD.
What are the Symptoms?
People with PTSD often have nightmares and flashbacks related to the traumatic event. Many experience panic attacks. They may avoid any triggers of memories to the point of interference with daily life. According to Dr. Joseph Plaud, people with PTSD often withdraw from loved ones and friends, and may become depressed or express extreme anger. Some sufferers abuse alcohol or drugs, including prescription drugs. They may feel emotionally numb and have trouble maintaining relationships.
How to Cope
Sufferers of PTSD should participate in normal life as much as possible, Dr. Joseph Plaud says. Hobbies and interests can be a big help. Meditation exercises and positive affirmations can allay memories or negative thoughts. Loved ones should encourage sufferers to discuss their feelings, and then listen. Family members should also encourage self-care like healthy eating and exercise.
The Aftermath: Recovering from Sexual Abuse with Dr. Joseph Plaud
The majority of Dr. Joseph Plaud’s psychological practice centers on sexual abuse. Dr. Joseph Plaud commonly works with sex offenders but also helps victims recover. Joseph Plaud’s clients have experienced several aspects of sexual abuse, and as a talented doctor, Joseph Plaud understands each person’s recovery process is different. There are some common threads, however. Today, Joseph Plaud explores recovery from sexual abuse.
Talk About It
Victims are often reluctant to discuss sexual trauma because of the shame they feel, according to Dr. Joseph Plaud. Many victims were told to keep the abuse secret or that they would be in trouble if they told anyone. Some victims were also threatened with more abuse if they did not keep silent. However, discussing trauma is vital. The victim should seek a trusted counselor and gradually open up to selected friends and family members. Talking reduces fear and allows victims to explore all their feelings during and after abuse, Dr. Joseph Plaud says.
Seek Medical Attention
Many victims don’t seek medical attention after abuse. A doctor’s touch is frightening and perhaps traumatizing at this time, but medical attention is necessary. Dr. Joseph Plaud recommends seeking out a qualified physician with experience in sexual abuse and setting up a consultation before any physical exam. If the physician seems dismissive of trauma or otherwise makes the victim uncomfortable, the victim should leave. Victims should bring a trusted friend or family member to medical exams.
Pursue the Positive
Dr. Joseph Plaud says victims should involve themselves in hobbies and pursuits they love. Focusing on strengths builds confidence and reassures the victim that his or her identity doesn’t rest with abuse. Time with friends and family should also be a priority.
Dollars Stretched Thin: Coping with the Struggling Economy
Dr. Joseph Plaud is a passionate historian who particularly enjoys studying the FDR era. Joseph Plaud’s grandmother grew up during the Great Depression and shared several detailed, moving stories of the era with her grandson. Thus, Joseph Plaud became familiar with the thoughts, feelings, and struggles of people dealing with an injured economy. As a psychologist, Joseph Plaud wants to help today’s Americans cope with a struggling economy so they can remain mentally healthy. Below are a few tips from Joseph Plaud to help you feel confident during this time.
Educate Yourself
During the Great Depression, many people lost hope, becoming mired in anxiety and frustration. The results included starvation and suicide. Today’s Americans fear they will face struggles of the same magnitude, but this is not the case for most. Joseph Plaud suggests educating yourself. For example, if you must file for bankruptcy, learn which type of filing will ensure you keep the most property and get out of debt fastest. If you have never prepared a budget, Joseph Plaud recommends you obtain guidance on planning and sticking to one.
Take Care of Yourself
Do not focus solely on financial issues. Make sure you and your family are eating right, exercising regularly, and getting enough rest. Schedule some downtime wherever you can – five or ten minutes during the workday helps tremendously. On weekends, Joseph Plaud says, focus as much energy as possible on hobbies and family. Reward yourself for big accomplishments like paying off debts or finishing a big project. For example, you could read a novel or take a long, hot shower.
Code Red: Characteristics of Sexual Offenders
Dr. Joseph Plaud is one of Maine’s top psychologists, particularly in the field of sexual behavior. Joseph Plaud regularly works with both sexual offenders and their victims, providing counseling, applied behavioral analysis, and reintegration techniques as needed. Joseph Plaud often interacts with victims who did not know their attacker had a history of sex offenses. Here, Joseph Plaud educates readers on the signs that someone is a sex offender.
Deep Interest in Sexual Behavior
Most sex offenders were sexually abused themselves, according to Dr. Joseph Plaud. They often learned to cope through inappropriate sexual behavior, such as being overly affectionate with playmates or parents. This might include excessive kissing, hugging, or rubbing, especially in intimate areas. Sexual offenders often enjoy watching people get dressed or undressed, usually in secret. They may display symptoms of sexual addiction, though this is not always the case. Sexual offenders may masturbate more than normal, to the point that it interferes with other activities, according to Dr. Joseph Plaud.
No Sexual Boundaries
Sexual offenders don’t respect the sexual boundaries of others, says Dr. Joseph Plaud. For example, if an offender has a partner, he or she may not listen or respond when the partner refuses sex or asks to stop a particular sexual activity. Offenders who commit crimes against children may have “favorite” kids in the neighborhood or classroom. They may show inappropriate affection toward children and encourage the children to keep sexual behavior secret. Often, offenders tell children they are playing a special game or that the child will be in trouble if he or she tells anyone what happened.
More than Pavlov’s Dog: The Benefits of Behavioral Therapy
Dr. Joseph Plaud sees the benefits of behavioral therapy with his clients every day. Joseph Plaud’s deep interest in behavioral therapy has resulted in new and improved treatments as well as increased success in client rehabilitation. Joseph Plaud recognizes many people are skeptical of this type of therapy. They might mistakenly equate it to conditioning dogs to eat only when bells are sounded. Today, Joseph Plaud explores the myriad of benefits behavioral therapy carries for humans.
Changes in Thought Patterns
Behavioral therapy involves identifying negative thought patterns and replacing them with positive ones. For example, one of Joseph Plaud’s clients might say, “I’m dumb.” Most people would immediately respond with, “No, you’re not.” A better strategy Dr. Joseph Plaud recommends is the use of a positive thought like, “I am smart” or “I am creative.” The focus is positive and effectively replaces the original construct.
Tangible Feedback
A small child who constantly throws tantrums won’t understand intrinsic reasoning like, “No one will play with you if you do that.” However, the child will respond to sticker charts or tangible rewards for good behavior, like extra playtime or a small toy. Dr. Joseph Plaud believes older children and adults can benefit as well. For example, an older child with Aspergers syndrome might struggle with tattling when classmates don’t obey rules. The child must see there is a greater benefit to not tattling. For instance, he or she could be taught that not tattling for several days will result in being allowed to pursue a special interest. Similarly, constant tattling results in a tangible consequence.
Uncovering the Truth: Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse
Dr. Joseph Plaud’s psychology practice frequently deals with the treatment of sex offenders. Joseph Plaud has spent much of his career studying the signs, causes, and effects of sexual abuse in children and adults. Joseph Plaud and other psychologists know sexual abuse is difficult to disclose, particularly for children. With more knowledge, however, people are better able to protect themselves and their loved ones from harm. Today, Joseph Plaud explores the signs of sexual abuse.
Mix of Regression and Maturity
According to Dr. Joseph Plaud, a previously potty-trained child may frequently wet the bed. Children may start sucking their thumbs again. These children also often experience heightened fears of the dark or being alone. However, these same children may also seem unusually mature. They act overly compliant or devoted to responsibilities and may dress in clothes too old for them. These are signs something could be wrong.
Odd Interpersonal Behavior
Sexually abused children might become overly attached to one person while avoiding the company of others, even people they were once close to, according to Dr. Joseph Plaud. Some children express discomfort or fear when left alone with a specific person or express anxiety about that person’s presence. Be particularly vigilant about this behavior; children are as likely to attach themselves to an abuser as they are to avoid him or her.
Physical Clues
Most psychologists agree physical evidence won’t often be present, but physical clues exist. Sexually abused kids often have torn or stained underwear. They may have difficulty walking and sitting or express pain with no known cause. These kids also often fear changing clothes for gym or participating in physical activities at school. Dr. Joseph Plaud warns they might also become ill more often than normal.
Joseph Plaud: Heritage Museum, Sandwich, Massachusetts
Joseph Plaud attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He then enrolled at the University of Maine, in Orono, Maine, where, as a graduate student, he earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1993.
Joseph Plaud appreciates the arts and cultural activities in Boston and the general surrounding area. He supports many of Boston-area historical establishments including the Boston Athenaeum, Newport, RI Preservation Association,
The Worcester Club, MA, the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Heritage Museum, Sandwich, MA.
The Heritage Museum in Sandwich is the result of several families, throughout the history of Sandwich, dedicating their land and talent to specific purposes. Joseph Plaud supports the importance of this museum, which includes a 1700-era home re-assembled after being moved from it's original location, a lush and beautiful garden, and a small collection of 1800-era cars owned by the Lily Family, of Eli Lily fame.
Joseph Plaud is appreciative of the value with which others in the Boston area put on historical happenings and artifacts from past eras. Josiah Lily loved collecting such things, much in the way Joseph Plaud did as a child and later as an adult. Josiah's collections included 20,000 books and 17,000 manuscripts, which he later donated to Indiana University. He had a gold collection and gave 6,113 pieces of gold to the Smithsonian.
Joseph Plaud continues to support the Heritage Museum in Sandwich, along with other local culturally important institutions, including the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum and the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute.
Joseph Plaud: The Boston Athenaeum
Joseph Plaud received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1993 from the University of Maine in Orono, Maine. He went on to complete a clinical internship at the University of Mississippi and the Jackson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Jackson, Mississippi. Joseph Plaud started working with the clinical psychology faculty at the University of North Dakota in 1993, and remained on faculty for five years.
Joseph Plaud is a supporter of Boston-area arts and cultural centers. This includes the Boston Athenaeum, which was founded in 1807. It's purpose was to preserve and augment its collections of books and art, providing library services and cultural programs. The goal of the newly fledging Athenaeum was, according to the Boston Athenaeum's website, “to create an establishment similar to that of the Athenaeum and Lyceum of Liverpool in Great Britain.”
Joseph Plaud appreciates the work of this library and museum, which flourished in the culture-starved Boston of the 1800's. Today its collections comprise over half a million volumes, with a focus on Boston history, New England state and local history and “fine and decorative arts.”
The work of the Athenaeum is parallel to the work Joseph Plaud wanted to do for President Franklin Roosevelt. After amassing over 10,000 artifacts relating to the Roosevelts, Joseph Plaud established a museum which unfortunately closed after a short time. Today he serves as an Advisory Board Member of the National New Deal Preservation Association.
Joseph Plaud, in addition to his work with the National New Deal Preservation Association, continues to support the local arts and cultural programs in Boston.
Joseph Plaud: Every Day Life Research Articles
Joseph Plaud received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Maine in Orono, Maine, in 1993, after completing his clinical internship at the University of Mississippi and the Jackson Department of Veteran’s Affairs Medical Centers in Jackson, Mississippi.
Joseph Plaud focused his work on sexual offenders, and today he is a leading authority on the subject. Even before completing his clinical internship, he received an award for Best Research Article in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry.
Joseph Plaud has written many research articles. “I have over one hundred scientific publications in clinical and forensic psychology,” he says. The focus of many of his writings discuss the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders. He is currently the Executive Director of Applied Behavioral Consultants, LLC.
Through this practice, Joseph Plaud offers clinical assessment and therapy services on issues relating to sexually offending behavior. He also offers comprehensive assessment and treatment services to those adjudicated as sexual offenders.
“I have clinical and research interests in the application of behavioral principles to everyday life, as well as abnormal behavior,” Joseph Plaud says. “For example, research areas include the study of lifespan developmental psychology, including developmental disabilities and behavioral gerontology (esp. Alzheimer's disease), behavioral allocation and choice, behavioral momentum, quantitative analyses of human behavior, and stimulus equivalence.”
In addition to his work in psychology, Joseph Plaud is a supporter of many Boston-area cultural institutions, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Athenaeum which, at more than two hundred years old, is one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States.
Joseph Plaud: Teaching Behavioral Theories
Joseph Plaud attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He graduated summa cum laude, with High Honors in Psychology. He went on to enroll as a graduate student at the University of Maine, and received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1993.
Joseph Plaud completed his clinical research for his Ph.D. degree at the University of Mississippi’s Division of Psychology. The University of Mississippi has a nationally recognized Clinical Psychology Residency Training Consortium. Joseph Plaud also did research with the Jackson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Jackson, Mississippi.
Joseph Plaud joined the clinical psychology faculty at the University of North Dakota in 1993. There he became involved in training clinical and experimental psychology graduate students in their Ph.D. programs. He also pursued teaching and research activities in psychology. His teaching and research studies at this time included behavior analysis, behavior modification and therapy, and behavioral assessment.
Joseph Plaud was at the University of North Dakota until 1998. He is currently licensed to practice clinical psychology in Massachusetts and New York. He is the executive director of Applied Behavioral Consultants, a practice dedicated to providing comprehensive, technologically advanced, and empirically validated services. He is a nationally recognized authority on sexual offenders, and has written and lectured widely on the issue. Joseph Plaud is also interested in the theoretical underpinnings of behaviorism and behavior therapy, and is committed to assuring that the theories of behavior analysis are correctly explained and understood in public forums.
Joseph Plaud: An Education In Psychology
Joseph Plaud is a clinical psychologist who is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and New York. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Clark University, where he took High Honors in Psychology, and earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Maine.
Prior to completing studies at the University of Main, Joseph Plaud did his requisite clinical internship at the University of Mississippi in Jackson. The University of Mississippi’s division of psychology has a rich history of conducting clinical research. Common areas of clinical research include substance abuse disorders, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, children’s psychological response to chronic illness, especially cancer, sleep disorders, personality disorders, suicide, obesity, and neuropsychology.
Joseph Plaud focused his research on sexual offenders. He has published and lectured widely on the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders, and today he is a recognized authority on the subject. His expert opinion is frequently sought in forensic cases. Even before he completed his research at the University of Mississippi, Joseph Plaud was given an award for Best Research Article in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry.
Joseph Plaud is currently the Executive Director of Applied Behavioral Consultants, LLC, where his research interests include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, sexual disorders and sexual dysfunctions, the study of lifespan developmental psychology, and quantitative analyses of human behavior. “In addition to these areas,” he says, “I am interested in the philosophical and historical foundations of psychology, with particular interests in the theoretical underpinnings of behaviorism and behavior therapy.”
Joseph Plaud: The Roosevelts as American Legacy
Joseph Plaud received his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Clark University in 1987, graduating summa cum laude and with High Honors in Psychology. He continued his education in psychology at the University of Maine and earned his Ph.D. in 1993.
Joseph Plaud developed a love of and appreciation for Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt when he was in junior high school. He listened to his grandmother's descriptions of the achievements made by the thirty-second President of the United States. Joseph Plaud recalled that his grandmother loved FDR, and as he listened to her stories about that era, he also grew to admire President Franklin Roosevelt.
Joseph Plaud started collecting FDT memorabilia as a result of his grandmother's, and then his own interest in the president. Over the years he collected books, letters, photographs, and other items. Joseph Plaud collected and stored such artifacts in a organized manner, and in his own estimate his collection eventually reached approximately ten thousand pieces. His lodgings were overwhelmed by the material, and he decided to create a space where the collections could be appreciated by others. He opened the Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Joseph Plaud remains committed to the historical importance of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's work even though the museum was eventually forced to close. He does what he can to preserve the Roosevelt Legacy and is currently a member of the Board of Trustees on the FDR Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York.
Joseph Plaud: A Patron of the Symphony
Joseph Plaud, a clinical and forensic psychologist who is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and New York, received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Clark University in 1987, where he graduated summa cum laude with High Honors in Psychology.
Joseph Plaud knows the importance of supporting the arts, and gives his support to many of Boston-area cultural institutions, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Currently considered one of the five top symphonies in the U.S., the BSO was founded in 1881 by Henry Lee Higginson. The others in the “Big Five” include the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra.
In 2014 the BSO suffered the loss of Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos. who passed away on June 11 at the age of eighty. DeBurgos was a distinguished Spanish conductor and often a guest conductor of the BSO. Shortly before his death, deBurgos announced he was leaving his time with the BSO due to cancer. As Joseph Plaud recalls, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos did not hold an official position with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, though he did conducted the orchestra often more than those who were supposed to. “I can’t tell you how many times Rafael changed plans or did whatever he could to make himself available,” managing director Mark Volpe told the Boston Globe, after the conductor announced he was curtailing his activities. He was not just an artistic figure here, but a real friend of the orchestra.” Joseph Plaud continues to support the BSO and other numerous cultural institutions in Boston.
Joseph Plaud: Training Graduate Students
Joseph Plaud attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and graduated in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology. He graduated summa cum laude, with High Honors in Psychology.
He went on to enroll as a graduate student at the University of Maine, and received his Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1993. Joseph Plaud did his clinical research for that degree at the University of Mississippi’s Division of Psychology, and its nationally recognized Clinical Psychology Residency Training Consortium, and the Jackson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Jackson, Mississippi.
After completing his studies at the University of Maine, Joseph Plaud joined the clinical psychology faculty at the University of North Dakota in 1993, where he was actively involved in the training of clinical and experimental psychology graduate students in their Ph.D. programs, as well as pursuing his teaching and research activities in psychology. His teaching and research studies at this time included behavior analysis, behavior modification and therapy, and behavioral assessment. Joseph Plaud remained at the University of North Dakota until 1998.
Joseph Plaud is currently licensed to practice clinical psychology in Massachusetts and New York. He is the executive director of Applied Behavioral Consultants, a practice dedicated to providing comprehensive, technologically advanced, and empirically validated services. He is a nationally recognized authority on sexual offenders, and has written and lectured widely on the issue. Joseph Plaud is also interested in the theoretical underpinnings of behaviorism and behavior therapy, and the accurate dissemination of behavior analysis in public forums.
Joseph Plaud: Executive Director
Joseph Plaud is a clinical psychologist who is licensed to practice in Massachusetts and New York. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Clark University, where he took High Honors in Psychology, and earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Maine.
Before completing his studies at the University of Maine, Joseph Plaud did his requisite clinical internship at the University of Mississippi in Jackson. The University of Mississippi’s division of psychology has a rich history of conducting clinical research. Common areas of clinical research include substance abuse disorders, anxiety disorders, posttraumatic stress disorder, children’s psychological response to chronic illness, especially cancer, sleep disorders, personality disorders, suicide, obesity, and neuropsychology.
Joseph Plaud focused his research on sexual offenders. Today he is a recognized authority on the subject. He has published and lectured widely on the assessment and treatment of sexual offenders, and his expert opinion is frequently sought in forensic cases. Even before he completed his research at the University of Mississippi, Joseph Plaud was given an award for Best Research Article in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry.
Joseph Plaud is currently the Executive Director of Applied Behavioral Consultants, LLC, where his research interests include anxiety disorders, mood disorders, sexual disorders and sexual dysfunctions, the study of lifespan developmental psychology, and quantitative analyses of human behavior. “In addition to these areas,” he says, “I am interested in the philosophical and historical foundations of psychology, with particular interests in the theoretical underpinnings of behaviorism and behavior therapy.”
Joseph Plaud: FDR American Heritage Center
Joseph Plaud received his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Clark University in 1987, graduating summa cum laude and with High Honors in Psychology. He continued his education in psychology at the University of Maine and earned his Ph.D. in 1993.
“I am a professional forensic clinical psychologist,” Joseph Plaud says, “and have worked for decades in the preservation of the legacies of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt and the New Deal.”
The Roosevelts have been an interest of Joseph Plaud’s ever since he was in junior high school, when his grandmother’s descriptions of the achievements of the thirty-second President of the United States really sank in. “She loved FDR,” Joseph Plaud recalls, “and as a kid she regaled me with stories of him.”
That interest led to Joseph Plaud collecting FDR memorabilia. Over the years, he collected books, letters, photographs, and other items. There was nothing haphazard about it; Joseph Plaud collected things systematically, and in time he amassed an estimated ten thousand pieces. There was so much material that he had enough to open the Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center Museum in Worcester.
“The purpose of the Franklin D. Roosevelt American Heritage Center, Inc.,” Joseph Plaud said at the time, “is to provide educational and other learning opportunities concerning Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, with focus on the New Deal in American history during the 1930s and 1940s, the continued importance and relevance of the New Deal legacy in the world today, and to promote dissemination of such topics to the public.”
Ultimately, the museum was forced to close. But Joseph Plaud remains committed to doing what he can to preserve the Roosevelt legacy, and is currently a member of the Board of Trustees on the FDR Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York.
Joseph Plaud: Not Defending Anybody
Joseph Plaud understands that the nature of this work can be easily misunderstood, and can generate controversy. He says that as a clinical psychologist, his role is to provide expert testimony that is grounded in scientific research about the likelihood that a sex offender suffers from a mental defect that would make him likely to commit new crimes if he were released.
“I’m not defending anybody,” Joseph Plaud said. “I have no vested interest in people being defended or not defended.”
Experts like Joseph Plaud play a key role in court hearings. Before hearings, they interview offenders and get their life histories. Their evaluations help determine whether the offender will commit new sex crimes. The state has its experts, including some in-house psychologists, and the accused has his. The state pays for both.
But as Joseph Plaud well knows, it is a jury, in the final analysis, which decides whether the offender does suffer the mental defect. And if that is the decision, it is up to a judge to decide whether the offender goes to a state psychiatric facility for sex offenders, or to a program monitored by parole officials.
Joseph Plaud attended Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and earned his Ph.D. from the University of Maine.
Joseph Plaud: The Boston Symphony Orchestra
Joseph Plaud is licensed to practice clinical psychology in Massachusetts and New York. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Maine.
Joseph Plaud is also a supporter of numerous cultural institutions in the Greater Boston area. He supports the Heritage Museum and the Worcester Club, as well as the Boston Athenaeum which, at more than two hundred years old, is one of the oldest independent libraries in the United States.
He is also a supporter of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The BSO is one of the nation’s five major symphony orchestras, commonly referred to as the “Big Five.” The others are New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra.
The BSO suffered a loss in 2014 with the death of Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos. As Joseph Plaud knows, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, who passed away on June 11 at the age of eighty, was a distinguished Spanish conductor and a frequent podium guest of the BSO. About a week before his death, the conductor had announced that he was ceasing his professional activities because of cancer.
As Joseph Plaud recalls, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos never did hold an official position with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. But in certain seasons he conducted the orchestra more often than those who did. “I can’t tell you how many times Rafael changed plans or did whatever he could to make himself available,” managing director Mark Volpe told the Boston Globe, after the conductor announced he was curtailing his activities.” He was not just an artistic figure here, but a real friend of the orchestra.”
Joseph Plaud: The FDR Museum
Joseph Plaud is a clinical psychologist who is dedicated to providing comprehensive, technologically advanced, and empirically validated clinical services. “I have clinical and research interests in the application of behavioral principles to everyday life,” he says, “as well as abnormal behavior.”
“I received my B.A. in psychology in 1987 from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude, with High Honors in Psychology,” Joseph Plaud recalls. “I enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Maine, in Orono, Maine, where I received my Ph.D. in clinical psychology in 1993, after completing my clinical internship at the University of Mississippi and Jackson Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Jackson, Mississippi.”
From there, Joseph Plaud joined the clinical psychology faculty as an assistant professor at the University of North Dakota, and served as Director of Research for the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies. For the past ten years he has actively worked in sexual offender evaluations, particularly in relationship to civil commitment.
Joseph Plaud also has a long-standing interest in Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the New Deal era. “I have also founded my own Franklin D. Roosevelt Museum in Worcester, Massachusetts, and am a Trustee of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library in Hyde Park, New York.
By the time he opened his museum, Joseph Plaud had amassed what has been called the largest collection of FDR memorabilia in private hands. The museum was forced to close in 2008 after the City of Boston, which owned the space housing it, converted it to private offices. He decided to sell his entire collection at auction. “This is really killing me,” he told reporters at the time. “It’s been a difficult process, but some things you just have to resign yourself to.”