Dr. Black was born and reared in Gering, Nebraska and moved to Lincoln to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1983. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 1987 and then went to work for the Nebraska State Penitentiary as the first female caseworker. She worked there two years before returning to school to obtain her Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the University of Nebraska Clinical Psychology Training Program. She completed her pre-doctoral internship at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri and received her doctoral degree in 1994. She returned to the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services in January 1995. She provided services at the Penitentiary and Lincoln Correctional Center eventually taking over supervision of the sex offender program. She also provided coverage at the Hastings Correctional Center and Nebraska Correctional Center for Women at various times. She introduced and developed the use of Critical Stress Management (CISM) within the Nebraska Correctional system and joined the statewide team in 1995. She currently serves as the Clinical Director for the Headquarter’s Troop Area for the CISM program.
In 1999, Dr. Black became the clinical director of the Nebraska State Patrol Sex Offender Registry, completing risk assessments, community notification and testifying in administrative hearings relative to the risk level of registered offenders. She provided testimony to the legislature regarding various statutory changes specific to the registry. In 2008, she joined the Lincoln Regional Center sex offender program where she now serves as program director. She also maintained a private practice from 1996 until 2009.
Dr. Black has served on community and professional boards throughout her career such as the Rape/Spouse Abuse Crisis Center (nka Voices of Hope), CISM, and the Nebraska Psychological Association. She served as board member, secretary, treasurer, president-elect, president and past-president with NPA. She was awarded the Psychologist of the Year Award from NPA in 2009. This experience was one of the most rewarding of her career due to interactions that she experienced with others in the field and the opportunity to set the association on a sound financial track. She is also active with her church, serving as treasurer.
Dr. Black is an avid New York Yankees fan and plans vacations around opportunities to see them play. She loves to travel with her son and husband.
