François Diouf
Aurora,ON
Summary
Dynamic clinical psychologist, theologian, and Benedictine monk with global experience in integrating psychological science and spiritual care. Currently serving as President and Chief Clinical Officer at The Southdown Institute in Ontario, Canada, where I lead multidisciplinary mental health services for Catholic clergy and religious across North America and internationally. I bring a proven track record in strategic planning, clinical supervision, and accreditation compliance, with a particular focus on cultural competence in psychological assessment. My expertise spans neuropsychology, trauma-informed therapy, and vocational formation. Committed to interdisciplinary collaboration, I actively foster innovative research initiatives and promote excellence in care delivery, education, and spiritual accompaniment.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, USA
07.2022 - 12.2024
- Student academic programs and studies.
- Monitor statistics of student progress.
- Supervise Director of Opportunity program (this is a learning assistance program).
- Supervise Director of Academic Accommodations (she works with students with learning disabilities).
- Supervise Director of Global and Community Engagement (study abroad, international students).
- Work directly with Wellness Center and Contract Psychological Services for the direction of student mental health and academic counseling.
- Chair committee hiring for Director’s position.
- Work directly with students.
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
The Southdown Institute
Holland Landing, Canada
09.2021 - 12.2024
- Administer, score and interpret clinical assessments for individuals experiencing significant distress regarding personal problems, difficulty in ministry, or relationship using DSM-5/ICD-10 diagnosis, and offer specific treatment recommendations.
- Conduct candidate/vocational assessment for persons considering entry into priesthood, religious life, or pastoral ministry at a leadership level to underscore aspects of mature development and provide confidential feedback for the individuals and the diocese or community they hope to join.
- Compiled detailed patient histories using intake forms, interviews, and assessments to clarify the nature and scope of problems, identify contributing factors, set specific goals, and determine optimal therapeutic approaches and realistic expectations.
- Evaluate clergy/religious fitness for duty for individuals requesting incardination into a diocese or seeking a transfer into a new/different religious community.
- Provide individual psychotherapy with integrative approaches to therapy tailored to meet each patient's needs. Apply a psychodynamic and relational treatment model and utilize techniques from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), solution-focused therapy, and addiction counseling, as needed.
- Offer workshops and conferences to address a variety of psychological topics, including but not limited to the following: Importance of Sexual Identity Formation, Sexual Identity and Psychological WellBeing, Emotion Regulation and Emotional Intelligence, Sexual Addiction & Recovery, Personality Disorders, Being Alert to the Warning Signs of Depression, Anxiety, and Addiction.
- Provide consultation for formation directors, clergy personnel directors, and vicars for clergy and religious, as well as other leadership representatives to assist with ‘difficult personalities,' conflict resolution, non-violent communication, and other psychological aspects of human resource management and help locate appropriate referrals.
President & Chief Clinical Officer
The Southdown Institute
Holland Landing, Canada
01.2024 - Current
- Lead the clinical and strategic vision of a nationally recognized residential mental health institute serving Catholic clergy and religious.
- Supervise interdisciplinary teams providing psychodiagnostic assessment, individual and group psychotherapy, spiritual integration, and reintegration planning.
- Oversee research, clinical training programs, and accreditation readiness.
- Liaise with ecclesiastical authorities and major superiors for client care coordination and consultation.
- Champion cultural humility and neuropsychologically informed treatment for trauma, addictions, and personality dynamics in religious life.
Visiting Professor of Psychology
Vytautas Magnus University
Kaunas, Lithuania
05.2022 - Current
- Teach graduate-level courses in Clinical Psychology with a focus on cultural diversity in psychological assessment
• Provide academic mentorship and supervision to doctoral students in psychology
Visiting Professor
Université Jésuite d’Abidjan
01.2022 - Current
- Company Overview: Centre for Research and Action for Peace (CERAP)
- Teaching graduate classes.
- Teach courses in the psychology curriculum.
- Advise students on academic issues.
- Maintain active service and research agendas.
- Centre for Research and Action for Peace (CERAP)
Associate Professor
Saint Elizabeth University
Morristown, USA
09.2020 - Current
- Teaching undergraduate and graduate classes.
- Advising doctoral students and attending academic conferences.
- Teach courses in the psychology curriculum.
- Advise students on academic issues.
- Maintain active service and research agendas.
Associate Headmaster
Saint Benedict Preparatory School
Newark, USA
12.2021 - 07.2025
- Maintaining operations in compliance with school standards and within limitations of budget guidelines.
- Researching and incorporating new educational trends and instructional strategies to optimize education effectiveness.
- Helping SBP rethink, develop, and diversify instruction of Faith Transmission to serve students in their diversity better.
- Coordinating outreach events and all external relations regarding strategic initiatives at the international, domestic, and institutional levels to maximize education quality and improve students' togetherness.
Adjunct Professor
Saint Elizabeth University
Morristown, USA
06.2018 - 05.2020
- Used a variety of learning modalities and support materials to facilitate the learning process and accentuate presentations.
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to achieve student-centered learning.
- Encouraged class discussions by building discussions into lessons, actively soliciting input, asking open-ended questions, and using techniques to track student participation.
- Organized, prepared, and revised the personality course material and applied technological options for online and course-related software.
- Built relationships with students, mentoring on personal, professional, and academic goals while coaching effective study habits.
- Collaborated with the psychology department head to create dynamic, ongoing curriculum development and instruction improvement programs.
- Used exams, quizzes, and assignments to assess student comprehension.
- Worked with colleagues and administrators to create robust education programs.
- Identified academic strengths and obstacles and developed instructional techniques to accommodate different learning styles.
- Engaged students with insightful and compelling classroom discussions of topics relevant to coursework to boost student learning and retention.
- Evaluated and selected instructional materials and texts to prepare course materials and lesson plans.
- Completed classroom planning by creating and preparing exams, discussions, and lectures.
Counselor
Adelphoi Village
Latrobe, USA
01.2014 - 04.2016
- Assessed clinical risk and danger for juvenile detained girls and determined the appropriate level of response and intervention.
- Worked with prescribing professionals to get juvenile detained girls the necessary medications.
- Offered guidance and advice to help cultivate self-esteem and community involvement.
- Used cognitive behavior therapy to assist juvenile detained girls in recognizing and redirecting poor habits.
- Provided individual counseling services to juvenile detained girls with adjustment issues and partnered to facilitate weekly support groups.
- Led summer day treatment groups and therapeutic activities to teach functional living skills and address behavioral issues.
Volunteer Activities Coordinator
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
Dadaab Refugee Complex, Kenya
12.2007 - 07.2008
- Researched new ideas for programs and activities, considering children and adolescents' suggestions.
- Consulted with children and adolescent residents to identify social and recreational likes, abilities, and personal preferences.
- Recruited and trained adolescents on leadership roles and creative programs goals and objectives for their co-residents.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy - Clinical Psychology
Saint Elizabeth University
Morristown, NJ05.2021
Master of Science - Counseling
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, PA05.2016
Doctor of Philosophy - Philosophy
Catholic University of Paris
France06.2009
Sacred Theology License (S.T.L) -
Catholic University of Paris
France05.2006
Master of Art - Clinical Psychology
University of Paris Descartes Sorbonne
Paris, France06.2005
Master of Art - Philosophy
Catholic University of Paris
France05.2004
Sacred Theology Bachelor (S.T.B) - Biblical And Systematic Theology
Catholic University of Paris
France05.2004
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations And Diplomacy
Saint-Cyr Military School
Guer, France06-2000
Skills
- Clinical supervision
- Strategic planning
- Accreditation compliance
- Research oversight
- Cultural competence
- Mental health assessment
Affiliations
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- American Counseling Association (ACA)
- New Jersey Psychological Association (NJPA)
- Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi)
- Coalition of Clinical Practitioners in Neuropsychology
- National Academy of Neuropsychology
- Society for Neuronal Regulation
- Society for Personality Assessment
Certification
- Tomatis Therapy Certificate, Paris, France
- QEEG Training Certificate, Lexicor Corporation, Boulder, Colorado
References
- Pfarrer Dr. Stephan Kappler, Director & Clinical Psychologist, ERZBISCHÖFLICHES ORDINARIAT M
- NCHEN, Landsberger Straße 39, München, 80339, Germany, +49 171 6496418, SKappler@eomuc.de
- Rt. Rev. Martin R. Bartel, O.S.B., Archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey, 300 Fraser Purchase Road, Latrobe, PA, 15650, USA, (724) 537-4593, martin.bartel@stvincent.edu
- Thomas C. Barrett, Ph.D., Professor, College of Saint Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morristown, NJ, 07960, USA, (973) 290-4106, tbarrett@steu.edu
Training
- Praying the Psalms: Humans Saying, God’s Word?, Diouf, F., 04/01/22, Newark’s Oblates gathering
- When Two Worlds Collide: Spirituality and Mental Health, Diouf, F., 04/01/22, Critical Personnel Issues Virtual Conference
- Making our Way Through the Wilderness Created by Covid-19, Diouf, F., Heiderscheit, D., 03/01/21, Gathering Sisters of St Francis
- Non-Violent Communication: A Language of Compassion to Foster Psychological Well-Being, Diouf, F., 2021, Group Psychotherapy Psycho-Ed to Southdown Institute Resident
- Resilience, a Light at Dawn of Trauma, Diouf, F., 2021, Webinars focused on learning skills to deal with the wounds and scars left by Covid-19
Publications
- The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Psychological Well-Being of Catholic Priests in Canada, Kappler, S., Okozi, I., Diouf, F., Hartinger, K., 2022, Religions, 13, 718, https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13080718
- Nonviolent Communication and Spirituality: Nurturing Empathic Communication, Diouf, F., 2022, Covenant Newsletter, 37, 1, Summer
- L’écartèlement anthropologique et psychologique de l’homme religieux : Des hommes et des femmes ?, Diouf, F., 2022, Cerf, Paris, In press
- Resilience and the Quest for a Transfigured Self, Diouf, F., 2021, Covenant Newsletter, 37, 1, Special Ed.
Languages
- French
- English
- Spanish
- Oulof
- Serere
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
French
Native/ Bilingual
Websites
Timeline
President & Chief Clinical Officer
The Southdown Institute
01.2024 - Current
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs
Saint Vincent College
07.2022 - 12.2024
Visiting Professor of Psychology
Vytautas Magnus University
05.2022 - Current
Visiting Professor
Université Jésuite d’Abidjan
01.2022 - Current
Associate Headmaster
Saint Benedict Preparatory School
12.2021 - 07.2025
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
The Southdown Institute
09.2021 - 12.2024
Associate Professor
Saint Elizabeth University
09.2020 - Current
Adjunct Professor
Saint Elizabeth University
06.2018 - 05.2020
Counselor
Adelphoi Village
01.2014 - 04.2016
Volunteer Activities Coordinator
United Nations Development Programme - UNDP
12.2007 - 07.2008
Doctor of Philosophy - Clinical Psychology
Saint Elizabeth University
Master of Science - Counseling
Saint Vincent College
Doctor of Philosophy - Philosophy
Catholic University of Paris
Sacred Theology License (S.T.L) -
Catholic University of Paris
Master of Art - Clinical Psychology
University of Paris Descartes Sorbonne
Master of Art - Philosophy
Catholic University of Paris
Sacred Theology Bachelor (S.T.B) - Biblical And Systematic Theology
Catholic University of Paris
Bachelor of Arts - International Relations And Diplomacy
Saint-Cyr Military School
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