University of St. Thomas : Graduate Psychology : James P. Burns

The University of St. Thomas

James P. Burns

FACULTY & STAFF

Burns, James P
Assistant Professor jpburns@stthomas.edu Phone: (651) 962-4653 Toll Free: (800) 328-6819, Ext. 2-4653 Fax: 651-962-4651 Graduate School of Professional Psychology, 1000 LaSalle Ave. Mail #TMH 451, Minneapolis, MN 55403 Office Location: TMH 451H
Ph.D., Northeastern University M.A., University of St. Thomas M.Div., University of St. Thomas B.A., University of St. Thomas A native of St. Paul, MN, Dr. Burns worked as an accountant for a pharmaceutical company before enrolling in seminary. Ordained as a catholic priest in 1993, he served as a parish priest for six years (three of these as a pastor) before returning to graduate school in psychology. After a predoctoral psychology internship at Yale School of Medicine he was awarded a Ph.D in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University's Bouve College of Health Sciences. He completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School as well as at the Danielsen Center for the Study of Religion and Psychology (where he retains a limited research appointment) and the Boston Psychoanalytic Society & Institute. He has been an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN since 2003. He has been an instructor at Harvard Medical School where he coordinated the Psychiatric Residents Year 2 Behavioral Health rotation. He is also a licensed psychologist in the State of Massachusetts, guest licensed in Minnesota and a Certified Group Psychotherapist. Dr. Burns' research to date has examined the relationship between levels of anger and aggression in adolescent males and their levels of spirituality. He continues to be interested in mental health issues in adolescence and the relationship of these issues to religion and spirituality. Current interests and research include the way the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church and church closings in Boston have impacted morale of priest, pastoral leadership and community dynamics. He is also interested in studies of peace and conflict particularly as these impact globalization and mental health resources. In his private practice he treats adult and adolescent individuals as well as families and couples with mood and anxiety disorders along with a focus on ministry personnel, especially priests.