Dr. Ryan M. Niemiec Joins VIA

March 31, 2009

Ryan M. Niemiec, Psy.D., has joined the VIA Institute on Character as Education Director.  

Ryan is a licensed psychologist who has developed a special focus on positive psychology, mindfulness, and behavioral health. He is co-author of Positive Psychology at the Movies: Using Films to Build Virtues and Character Strengths, emphasizing VIA character strengths. The third edition of his first book, Movies and Mental Illness: Using Films to Understand Psychopathology, is due this fall.  Dr. Niemiec is Associate Editor of the APA journal PsycCRITIQUES.

Ryan received his doctorate in clinical psychology in 2001 from Forest Institute. He graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Psychology and English, and received training in New York, Saint Louis, and Springfield, Missouri, working in medical, correctional, outpatient, and homeless agencies.

Most recently, Dr. Niemiec was an Assistant Clinical Professor at Saint Louis University School of Medicine and worked in the multi-disciplinary St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute, an outpatient psychology practice.  There, he co-created and directed an integrated care program that brought together behavioral health consultants and family physicians to improve patients’ overall care. He also served as a clinical psychologist in the Institute's Program for Psychology and Religion, its weight-management program, and the Headache and Pain Management Program.

As VIA's Education Director, Dr. Niemiec will develop science-based applications of the research on the VIA Classification of Character Strengths and Virtues, and educate psychotherapists, coaches, and other practitioners. Ryan's "Reflections on Character" blog is part of the VIA's  membership community.  You can reach him here.