He started out as a teacher and is now a well-respected clinical psychologist in the many countries that he has worked.
He is St. Lucian Dr. Alvin Thomas, holder of a doctorate in clinical psychology, which he attained just last year at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. This university’s psychology department is ranked number four in the USA by US News and World Report and has a clinical department that accepts less than six of almost 300 applicants annually.
Hailing from the small community of Dennery, his journey begun after his last teaching appointment at his alma mater, Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School.
Son of hardworking and encouraging parents, Fidelis and Thomas Thomas, he overcame many obstacles to eventually earn a scholarship to the prestigious Morehouse College, most proudly known for producing Civil Rights Leader Dr. Martin Luther King. There he enjoyed the honour of early invitation to membership Phi Beta Kappa, a highly esteemed, selective society of scholars.
Dr. Thomas story of triumph over despair and disillusionment is one that can inspire and embolden other dreamers from our Caribbean Sea.
Dr. Thomas is the first St. Lucian to be associated with projects at the two largest repositories of data in the world, the USA Institute for Social Research and Max Planck Institute in Germany.
He has been invited to present across the USA and internationally including Berlin, Switzerland, Bahamas, Haiti, Trinidad and St. Lucia.
His research included two separate projects in St. Lucia and he also travelled to India, Nepal, and Kathmandu, where he conducted research at Dhali Lama’s monastery. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at multiple conferences.
Dr. Thomas graduated with many awards and was chosen from psychology scholars from across the United States to attend the American Psychology Association (APA) Council of Representatives meeting to be mentored and to observe the governance process of the APA.
Dr. Thomas was elected a fellow to the International Max Planck Research School on Life Course (LIFE). This programme matches the most promising candidates in psychology with world-known leaders in the field. More recently Dr. Thomas was inducted into the Edward Bouchet Honor Society which recognises the contribution and future promise of early career professionals.
He is trained to provide evidence-based, culturally appropriate treatments in response to a range of mental health issues.
He focuses on research on non-resident African-American fathers and their relationship with their children, primarily their sons. He also investigates the protective and risk factors associated with youth violence (individual, interpersonal, neighborhood, cultural).
Dr. Thomas also works in clinical and hospital settings with children and families who present with a variety of mental health needs.
The University of Michigan Health System has saluted Dr. Thomas and wished him well in having a positive impact on many lives during his career.