Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Olubukunola “Bukky” Kolawole
Dr. Olubukunola “Bukky” Kolawole, a graduate of the Long Island University Clinical Psychology Doctorate Program, Class of 2009, is presently Clinical Assistant Professor for the Department of Population Health at New York University School of Medicine. In this appointment, she works with the Center for Early Childhood Health and Development (CEHD) and ParentCorps, where she is lead designer and trainer for early childhood educators and mental health professionals. She facilitates impactful change by delivering professional development workshops focused on evidence-based strategies for managing children’s behavior and effective family engagement practices in a fun and dynamic way that empowers families, educators, and mental health professionals. Some of Dr. Kolawole’s workshops include ParentCorps Fundamentals (Proactive, Reinforcement and Consequence Strategies in the Classroom; Parent Engagement), Selective Mutism in the Classroom, Effectively Engaging Teachers, and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Preschool Children.
While at Long Island University, Dr. Kolawole defended her dissertation on subtypes of perpetrators of intimate partner violence. She went on to complete her internship at New York University/Bellevue Hospital Center. In pursuit of her diverse interests, she has received training in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Culturally Sensitive CBT with LGBT Clients, Motivational Interviewing, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Establishing her commitment to lifelong learning and advancement in the field, she is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, International Centre for Excellence in Emotion Focused Therapy, and the New York Center for Emotion Focused Therapy.
In addition to Dr. Kolawole’s academic appointments, she has a private practice in New York City (www.drbukkyk.com), where she specializes in couples therapy and provides relationship and pre-marital counseling for all couples including those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community. She is currently in the process of expanding her practice into a larger venture focused on enhancing relationships through therapy but also utilizing other innovative and experiential approaches such as adventures and playful learning.
Between her academic commitments and private practice, Dr. Kolawole enjoys spending time with her friends and family and finds time to pursue personal interests such as traveling, exploring new cuisine, dancing, and writing poetry/spoken word. She is also dedicated to developing future psychologists and we are thrilled to have Dr. Kolawole return to her alma mater in a mentoring role in our Alumni Mentoring Program, which launched in the Fall of 2013.
Congratulations Dr. Kolawole on your many accomplishments!