About Dr. Gordon
My professional interests are generally in the area of couple functioning.
Most broadly, I am interested in how couples make sense of and respond
to major relationship traumas. Specifically that has translated into
research projects focusing on: (a) the forgiveness process, (b) infidelity
and couple therapy, (c) domestic violence, and (d) how children make
sense of their parents' discordant relationships and the effects of
these discordant relationships on offspring's own romantic relationships.
One of the newest projects is examining the role of self-compassion
and compassion in couples' responses to relationship betrayals.
Furthermore, currently I am working on a project funded
by the National Cancer Institute that involves a couple-based smoking cessation
intervention for Latinos in collaboration with faculty at Duke University.
This intervention capitalizes on a potential teachable moment, a new
pregnancy, that is likely to highlight a smoker's motivation to quit
smoking for the health of his family. This project will run for the
next 5 years and will yield a great deal of data on Latino couple
relationships. Applicants with interest in this area are highly encouraged
to apply.
Personally, I used to have hobbies until I had my
two daughters, ages 8 and 4, and now my hobby is folding laundry and
driving kids around. When I do have some time, I love to read, hike,
do yoga, and dream about gardening. I also have a small private practice,
which gives me fresh ideas for supervison, teaching, and research.
