Sally Schwer Canning, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology | Wheaton College
Wheaton, IL, UNITED STATES
Dr. Canning's work supports the healthcare and educational objectives of faith-based community organizations serving poor neighborhoods.
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Biography
A community/clinical-child psychologist, Dr. Canning is committed to learning from and serving urban, low-income, children and families-of-color, to linking the resources of faith-based community and campus organizations for the benefit of under-resourced communities, and to training psychologists for competent practice with underserved populations. Dr. Canning's work in the community supports the healthcare and educational objectives of faith-based community organizations serving poor, urban neighborhoods. Her current projects include a program of research on pregnancy and post partum mood disorders in low-income Latinos and African American populations and an integrative examination of the idea of "self-care" for helping professionals. Articles published by Dr. Canning may be found in Journal of Prevention and Intervention in the Community, The Community Psychologist, Early Childhood Research Quarterly, Health and Development, Professional Psychology: Research & Practice, Journal of Psychology and Theology, and the Journal of Psychology and Christianity. Dr. Canning and her husband and daughter are grateful to belong to a church on the West-side of Chicago that is committed to faith-based community development and racial reconciliation.
Education (6)
University of Pennsylvania: Ph.D., Professional-Scientific Psychology (APA Approved) 1994
Institute for Juvenile Research, UIC, Chicago, IL: Post-doctoral training 1994
Hahnemann University Hospital (APA Approved), Philadelphia, PA: Internship 1992
University of Pennsylvania: M.S. Ed., Psychological Services 1988
Gettysburg College: B.A., Music Performance 1982
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation: Licensed Clinical Psychologist 1997
Areas of Expertise and Research Interests (4)
Pregnancy
Community Psychology
Child Psychology
Post Partum Mood Disorders
Accomplishments and Awards (1)
Recipient of APA's Committee on Women in Psychology Leadership Award (professional)
2017-08-09
This prestigious award is given to psychologists who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in their service to psychology, particularly in ways that have addressed research, policy, and improved clinical care for women.
Professional Affiliations (4)
- American Psychological Association : member.
- Society for Community Research & Action : member.
- Christian Community Health Fellowship : member.
- Christian Association for Psychological Studies : member.
Links (1)
Presentations and Event Appearances (1)
Beyond the Institutional Review Board: Doing justice in community-based research
Transformation of the Person in Christ, sponsored by the Christian Association for Psychological Studies Philadelphia, PA, March 2007
Academics and Published Research (2)
Courses Taught
- Psyc 837 Developmental Psychopathology - Psyc 845 Child and Adolescent Interventions - Psyc 797 Practica-Seminar III-IV - Psyc 739 Community and Preventive Psychology - Psyc 714 Professional Development and Ethics I
Research Lab
Dr. Canning directs the Urban Community Health Lab. The aim of this lab is to foster the health and flourishing of children, adults, and families living in poor, urban communities as well as the professionals and volunteers who serve there. Currently, there are two active streams of research, affectionately known as Sisters’ Keepers & Going the Distance. The first seeks to understand & support the health of patients at the Lawndale Christian Health Center in Chicago. Current projects target depression & domestic violence in women & low birth-weight in their babies. Another examines language & perceptions of Spanish-speaking online discussion group participants describing pregnancy & postpartum and mood experiences. Future projects could involve other patient groups & concerns within behavioral health. The second line of research is aimed at understanding & encouraging healthy practices, wellbeing & faithfulness in individuals & faith-based community organizations serving in high-stress, poor contexts.
Select Articles, Chapters, Reviews, and Other Publications (5)
Community and preventive psychology
Modern Psychotherapies: A Comprehensive Christian Appraisal
Canning, S. S. & Jones, S.
2011
Psychological resources in faith-based community settings: Applications, adaptations, and innovations
Psychology and the church
Canning, S. S.
2005
Invitation to the table conversation: A few diverse perspectives on integration
Journal of Psychology and Christianity
Canning, S. S., Yangarber-Hicks, N., Behensky, C., Flanagan, K.S., Gibson, N. J. S., Hicks, M. W., Kimball, C. N., Pak, J. H., Plante, T., & Porter, S. L.
2006
Is cognitive bibliotherapy effective in treating depression?
Clinician’s Research Digest
Canning, S. S., Gregory, R. J., Lee, T. W. & Wise, J. C.
2004
Mental health: The hole in holistic Christian, community-based healthcare?
Health and Development
Canning, S. S., Neal, M., Fine, M. & Meese, K. J.
2002