Lance T. Laurence, PhD earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology in December 1980.  After spending three years working at the Regional Mental Health Center of Oak Ridge, he began his independent practice of psychology in September 1983.  He began his tenure with the University of Tennessee Clinical Psychology program in September 1981, initially beginning as a part-time supervisor.  Over the years his role in the Clinical Program evolved to an Associate Professor position where he taught doctoral level courses for the program and engaged in supervision of clinical students.  Courses taught include Clinical Psychopathology, Psychological Assessment I and II, Ethical/Legal/Clinical Practice Issues in Clinical Psychology and Peer Supervision.  In 2002 he assumed the Role of Director of the Psychological Clinic, the training clinic for UT’s Clinical Program.  Under his tutelage, the Clinic grew and moved from the dungeon of Austin Peay to the newly created Clinic in 2013 at the UT Conference Center.  He retired from UT in May 2017 and after teaching courses two more years, he stopped his University affiliation in 2019.

In addition to his private practice and his work at the University, Dr. Laurence has been actively involved in local, state and national professional associations.  He is a Past President of KAPA and successfully secured KAPA’s initial approval for offering APA approved continuing education offerings.  He is a Past President of the Tennessee Psychological Association on more than one occasion as well as holding the role of East Tennessee Vice-President.  He served as TPA’s Director of Professional & Legislative Affairs for more than two decades where he oversaw professional affairs issues, shepherded TPA legislative efforts and directed its lobbyists and political action committee.  For several decades he served as TPA’s conduit to the Practice Directorate of the American Psychological Association.  He has been a member of APA, TPA, KAPA and other professional associations for several years.  He had the privilege of serving as the sole Psychologist on  Bill Clinton’s White House Health Reform Committee in the 90’s when Clinton attempted to pass comprehensive health care reform.  He is the recipient of numerous local, state and national awards for his advocacy for psychology and those we serve.

Dr. Laurence continues to conduct his practice in Knoxville.  In his spare time you can find him visiting his daughter and three grandkids in Canada, or in his vegetable garden, or on his boat, or at Neyland Stadium, or Thompson Boling Arena, or floating in his pool.

Jenn Bishop, PhD, earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Tennessee. She has worked in community mental health, addiction medicine, and integrated primary and specialty care settings. She is now in full-time private practice at The Northshore Group. Jenn is experienced in treating children, adolescents, and adults, and specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, grief, trauma-related and adjustment disorders, psychoeducational and psychodiagnostic testing, and women’s health. She has specialty training in trauma-informed care, personality assessment, and reproductive mental health (infertility, pregnancy and infant loss, birth trauma, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders).

Alden Gaertner, PhD

President-Elect

Alden E. Gaertner, PhD, works in private practice as a clinical psychologist in Knoxville, Tennessee.  She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 2012, following internship and postdoctoral fellowship at The Institute of Living Hartford Hospital, in Hartford, Connecticut.  Dr. Gaertner provides treatment to adolescents, young adults, and adults, focusing primarily on relationship issues, adjustment concerns, anxiety, and depression.  Additionally, she has expertise in psychological assessment, and provides comprehensive evaluations to children, adolescents, and adults.  Dr. Gaertner recently joined KAPA, and looks forward to getting to know the community and serving as president elect.

Michael Hawthorne, PhD, has conducted a general outpatient psychotherapy practice at The Northshore Group since its inception in 1989. His practice is evenly split between adolescent, young adult, and adult populations. Over those years, he has also worked and consulted in inpatient, residential, and outpatient programs in both public and private settings. He has been a Clinical Assistant Professor in the doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at UT since 2001 and has consulted with the UT Athletic Department since 1994, meeting with athletes in all sports for concerns ranging from on-field performance to adjustment and emotional challenges unique to student-athletes. He previously served as both Treasurer and the Business of Practice representative for Tennessee Psychological Association and as President for KAPA.

Dustin Lamport, PhD

Secretary

Dustin Lamport, PhD, is a generalist psychologist serving adolescent and adult populations. He graduated from the Combined-Integrated Clinical and Counseling Psychology program at the University of South Alabama in 2015. He completed his pre-doctoral internship at a consortium in Battle Creek, Michigan, and postdoctoral training at Cherokee Health Systems in Knoxville. He worked as an outpatient therapist, behavioral health consultant, and led the clinical treatment team at Cherokee before moving into his current role in private practice. He currently practices outpatient psychotherapy for a range of issues including anxiety, depression, and trauma, as well as performing diagnostic and educational psychological evaluations.

Kathy B. Ehrnschwender, PhD

Continuing Education Coordinator

Kathy B. Ehrnschwender, PhD is a full-time private practitioner who earned her doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She works with older adolescents and adults and has specific training in trauma-based therapies (including EMDR), eating disorders, mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindful self-compassion.  In her generalist practice she also works with depression, anxiety, grief, and relational challenges and is open to all religious/spiritual orientations. Receiving referrals from local OB-GYNs, she is attuned to women’s health issues related to life transitions. 

“Dr. E” has also worked at the Cancer Support Community, the Sexual Assault Crisis Center, and volunteered with the Knox Area Eating Disorders Coalition. Post-master’s degree, she was Director of Counseling at a small liberal arts college and counseled adolescents in group foster care.  She also spent a year in the therapeutic recreation field counseling juvenile offenders in month-long backpacking experiences.