Episode 145: Paula Thomson

Paula Thomson, PsyD, is Professor in the Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Northridge (CSUN). She is a licensed Clinical Psychologist, certified Sport Psychologist, and works in private practice in California.

Paula is Co-Director of the Performance Psychophysiology Laboratory at CSUN, adjunct faculty at Pacifica Graduate Institute and Professor Emeritus at York University’s Departments of Theatre and Graduate Studies (Canada).

She was a professional dancer and continues work as choreographer and movement coach in dance, theatre and opera. In 2013, she was named one of the top 20 female professors in California.

In collaboration with Dr. S. Victoria Jaque, Dr. Thomson is an active researcher in the field of psychophysiology. Together they are investigating the effects of stress on performing artists, athletes and patients with functional disorders. They have extensive publications in journals and edited books, most notably Encyclopedia of Creativity, Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts, Creativity Research Journal, Attachment and Human Development, Journal of Trauma and Dissociation among others.