Jocelyn Shealy McGee

Education

PhD, Clinical Psychology (Neuropsychology Track), Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California
MA, Psychology, Fuller Theological Seminary
MSG, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
BA in Psychology, Baylor University

Postdoctoral Fellowship

Gerontology Research, Aging Treatment Studies Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA

Clinical Neuropsychology, Baylor College of Medicine/University of Houston (APPCN Accredited), Houston, TX

Internship

Clinical Psychology (Clinical Neuropsychology & Geropsychology), VA Palo Alto Health Care System (APA Accredited), Palo Alto, CA

Professional Credentials

Licensed Psychologist
National Certification as a Health Service Provider in Psychology
Fellow, Gerontological Society of America

Research Interests

• International health and aging
• Contemplative practices and health
• Positive psychology and aging
• Living with complex health conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease)
• Caregiving
• Spirituality, Culture and Diversity
• Technology and Aging

Selected Publications

Jean-Charles, W., McGee, J. S., Jean-Baptiste, M. J., Joseph, V. I. and Rouzier, D. G. (2022). Development of the first telepsychology initiative in Haiti in response to COVID-19, [Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Mental Health]. The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, 17, 2, 110-122. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMHTEP-07-2021-0079

McGee, J. S., Davie, M., Meraz, R., Myers, D., McElroy, M. (2022). Does God work in all things to the good of those who love him? Caregivers of persons with early-stage dementia share their struggles [Spirituality and Existential Issues in Health]. Religions, 13, 7, 645. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13070645

Meraz, R., Osteen, K., McGee, J. S. & Noblitt, P. & Viejo, H. (2022). Applying stress and coping theory to understand diuretic adherence experiences in persons with heart failure. Western Journal of Nursing Research. https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459221106122

McGee, J. S., Myers, D. R., Meraz, R. L., & Davie, M. (2021). Caring for a family member with early-stage Alzheimer's disease: caregiver perceptions, connections, and relational dynamics with the sacred. Journal of Religion, Spirituality & Aging, 34, 3, 196-207. https://doi.org/10.1080/15528030.2021.1934771

McGee, J. S., Meraz, R., Myers, D. R. & Davie, M. R. (2020). Telehealth services for persons with chronic lower respiratory disease and their informal caregivers in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic [Recent Innovations and Challenges in Practice]. Practice Innovations, 5, 2, 165-177. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/pri0000122

Meraz, R. L., Osteen, K., & McGee, J. S. (2019). Applying multiple methods of systematic evaluation in narrative analysis for greater validity and deeper meaning. International Journal of Qualitative Methods. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F1609406919892472

McGee, J. S., Myers, D. R., & Groce, H. (2019). Community services, progression rate, and nursing home placement in persons with Alzheimer’s disease, American Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, 7, 1, 12-18. https//doi: 10.11648/j.ajpn.20190701.13

McGee, J. S., Zhao, H. C., Myers, D. R. & Eaton, H. S. (2018). Spiritual diversity and living with early-stage dementia [Cultural Aspects of Dementia], Clinical Gerontologist, 41, 3, 261-267. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2017.1393478

McGee, J. S., Zhao, H. C, Myers, D. R., & Kim, S. (2017). Positive psychological assessment and early-stage dementia, Clinical Gerontologist, 40, 4 307-319. https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2017.1305032

Karlin, B.E., Visnic, S., McGee, J.S., & Teri, L. (2014). Results from the multisite implementation of STAR-VA: A multi-component psychosocial intervention for managing challenging dementia-related behavior in veterans. Psychological Services (Journal of the American Psychological Association), 11, 2, 200-208. https://doi.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0033683

Pargament, K. I., Lomax, J. W., McGee, J. S., & Fang, Q. (2014). Sacred moments in psychotherapy from the perspective of mental health providers and clients: Prevalence, predictors, and consequences. Spirituality in Clinical Practice (Journal of the American Psychological Association), 1, 4, 248-262. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/scp0000043

McGee, J. S. & Myers, D. (2014). Sacred relationships, strengthened by community, can help people with mild or early-stage Alzheimer's disease [Relati0onships, Health and Well-Being in Later Life], Generations (Journal of the American Society of Aging), 38, 61-67. ttps://www.jstor.org/stable/26556031

McGee, J. S., Myers, D. R., Carlson, H., Funai, A. P., Barclay, P. A. (2013) Spirituality, faith and mild. Alzheimer's disease. Research in the Social Scientific Study of Religion, 24, 221-257. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1163/9789004252073_010

Background

Dr. Jocelyn Shealy McGee is an interdisciplinary scholar, researcher and social work educator who serves as an assistant professor at the Baylor University Garland School of Social Work. She has published and presented widely in the field of Gerontology on topics such as spirituality and health, caregiving, living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, the use of virtual reality and other technologies to assist older persons, positive aging, aging well in indigenous communities, and international aging and resilience. She is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) in the Behavioral and Social Sciences Section and the past co-chair of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Interest Group.

Dr. McGee has acquired several areas of research methodology expertise that inform her research program:

• Behavioral intervention development (see National Institute on Aging (NIA) webpage to learn more about the NIH Stage Model of Behavioral Intervention Development https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dbsr/nih-stage-model-behavioral-intervention-development
• Community-based participatory research (CBPR)
• Photovoice   
• Indigenous research methodologies

Dr. McGee has contributed to the development, implementation, and evaluation of several behavioral interventions over the course of her career such as Resources for Enhancing Caregiver Health (REACH) II which is an psychoeducational intervention for caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias; STAR VA which is an intervention that aims to reduce anxiety and agitation among residents with dementia in long-term care settings (and has been implemented across the VA system); and En-Rich (Enhancing Rural Interventions for Caregiver Health) which is a cognitive-behaviorally oriented telepsychology intervention for persons with complex chronic health conditions and their families.

Currently, Dr. McGee’s lab has a mixed methods study aimed at better understanding the role of positive psychology, health, & well-being in people living with an early-stage dementia and their family members. Additionally, Dr. McGee is working with collaborators from the University of Minnesota Duluth and the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska to culturally adapt the Saavy Caregiver educational program for use with Alaska Native families.

Courses Dr. McGee has developed and teaches at Baylor are:    

• Aging and Mental Health    
• Human Behavior and the Social Environment 1
• Introduction to Gerontology 
• International Social Research
• Social Work Research

Dr. McGee was the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Spirit of Hope Award for her humanitarian work and research in Malawi, Africa and Haiti. Recently, she was consulted by her colleagues in Haiti to develop the first telepsychology program in Haiti in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and activities such as photography, hiking, dancing, healthy cooking and traveling. She and her husband are in the process of training their puppy Mishka, which means, “Little Bear” to provide pet therapy.