I'm Dr. Harry Voulgarakis, usually know to my patients and students as Dr.V., but otherwise, I'm just Harry. I wear a lot of hats, at least professionally - professor and teacher, psychologist, behavior analyst, researcher, writer. But something was missing - something that combined my experienced in a more cohesive and in some ways, personal way. In light of that, this blog has been in development for quite some time, I just didn't know it. In recent months, I moved, started a new job, moved my practice, but was still striving to find a way to "document" the things I loved doing most: meeting kids and families and finding smalls ways to make their lives better.
I was talking with a few of my graduate students last week and they asked me why I wanted to become a psychologist and professor, why I love to do research. The answer was simple: I wanted to help change peoples lives, especially for young people and their families. What came next wasn’t quite as easy to answer...the “how.” I thought I had to be the founder of some big clinic, which I failed pretty miserably at. I thought I had to conduct big research trials with million dollar funding, but running large RCT’s wasn’t my thing either. What I’ve learned in my time as a teacher, advocate, and writer is that small things can change lives in big ways. Reading to a child, helping them learn, being an ear for a stressed mom...these are all “small”, less prestigious and meaningful gestures than the former...or so I thought - until the people’s lives I sought to changed began to change mine. So, this blog is devoted to documenting my travels - across town or across the world - doing small things that I hope make an impact in a bog way. Keep up with me here, or on instagram @drharryv
When I'm not in a train or a plane, I live on Long Island with my dog, Tucker. You can find more information about me professionally and my practice at drharryv.com.