Bio

Professional Bio


Dr. Christine Marie is a media psychologist, author, speaker, educator, activist and life story coach. In addition to her PhD, she has an MBA,  an MA in psychology, a specialization certificate in Positive Psychology and Media, and is a trauma-informed media consultant.

Dr. Christine’s doctoral research is titled The Traumatic Impact of Humiliation, Misrepresentation and Victim-blaming in the Media on Narrative Identity and Well-being.

In 2021, she won the Outstanding Dissertation Award from the American Psychological Association, Division of Media Psychology and Technology.

This is the first study to identify cruel media-based experiences as a unique form of trauma. Among other things, her contributions include two new psychological constructs – ‘mediated representation assimilation’ and ‘traumatic media misrepresentation.’ She continues to research these topics, is currently writing a book on media-based trauma, and has a support group for survivors of this type of traumatic experience.

Dr. Christine writes, trains or speaks on topics such as media psychology, media misrepresentation, humiliation and public shaming, cancel culture, victim blaming in the media, trauma bonds, the power of life story, life legacy and the digital afterlife.

Dr. Christine is the founder of Voices for Dignity, a nonprofit organization that promotes online kindness and compassion, and that contributes resources and advocacy for marginalized populations as well as survivors of public shaming, dehumanization and exploitation. She is also the founder of  victimblaming.com

Her unusual expertise and insight comes from her own experience. In an unexpected, harrowing life twist years ago, Christine became a survivor of cult-based human trafficking. When she finally decided it was time to share her story, she went through exploitative misrepresentation and humiliation in the media. However, her recovery from this experience resulted in post-traumatic growth and launched her personal quest to turn her life’s darkest moments into something that would make a difference in the world. She is a passionate educator on her media-based research topics as well as the life-or-death importance of treating others with kindness and dignity.

Discussing my research on a podcast about Cancel Culture

Discussing my research on a videoblog

She is a certified Sexual Assault Victim’s Advocate (UCASA), a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist (CCTS-I), and a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist for Sex Trafficking and Exploitation (CCTS-STE).

She currently lives in Southern Utah with her husband where she is an intermediary between the FLDS people and the United Effort Plan trust, which was formerly their religious land trust.

 

EDUCATION

Fielding Graduate University Jan. 2017 — May 2020

PhD, Psychology, emphasis in Media Psychology

Doctoral Dissertation Research: The Traumatic Impact of Media Humiliation, Misrepresentation and Victim-blaming on Narrative Identity and Well-being

 ▪ Topics in Media Psychology include neuromarketing, media persuasion and influence, branding, transmedia storytelling, social media behavior, online engagement, virtual reality, mobile media, fandom, emerging technologies, human cognition and behavior, user experience, film impact, viral marketing etc.

▪ This specialized, cutting-edge field researches psychological principles involved in traditional media –print, television, film, music, PR.

▪ Positive psychology is the scientific study of human flourishing, and an applied approach to optimal functioning that enables individuals, communities and organizations to thrive

▪ The exciting new field is founded on the belief that people want to lead meaningful and fulfilling lives, to cultivate what is best within themselves, and to enhance their personal and professional lives

▪ Positive psychology builds people’s strengths, boosts optimism and promotes happiness. Combining media with positive psychology creates an expertise in understanding how to use media and technology in the best ways possible to enhance the well-being and goals of individuals and society.

Fielding Graduate University 2020

            Additional diploma for the special concentration of Positive Psychology and Media

Fielding Graduate University Apr. 2014 — Jan. 2017

Master’s Degree, Psychology, GPA 3.98

Emphasis: Media Psychology | Personal, Business, Entertainment, Education, Advocacy, Communities, Social Good

University of Phoenix Mar. 2006 — Jun. 2008

Master of Business Administration, MBA, GPA 3.92

Emphasis: Transformational Leadership, Branding, Marketing

Brigham Young University Sep. 1980 — Jun. 1989

Bachelor of Science, Psychology

Emphasis: Parenting and Child Psychology

CERTIFICATIONS

2021 – Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist – Individual

                Arizona Trauma Institute

2020 – Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist – Sex Trafficking and Exploitation

                Arizona Trauma Institute

2017 – Certified Sexual Assault Victim Advocate

                Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

2021 – Outstanding Dissertation Award

American Psychological Association, Division of Media and Technology

2016 – Las Vegas 25 Most Beautiful People (Beautiful accomplishments)

L’Vegue Magazine honored 25 people in Las Vegas for ‘inner beauty’ as demonstrated by their work making the world a better place. Specifically mentioned in the presentation of my award was my work with human trafficking survivors.

2013 – VIP of the Year for Excellence in Online Media

Named VIP of the Year by Worldwide Who’s Who for Excellence in Online Media. “This special distinction honors individuals who have shown exceptional commitment to achieving personal and professional success, particularly in the digital world.”

1996 – National Community Service Award

1995 – Mrs. Michigan, United States of America Pageant

1992 – Young Mother of the Year (Virginia), American Mothers Association

Published 22 educational books, numerous articles, and is in the process of completing a Guidebook for Journalists, Producers and Other Media Professionals

PRESENTATIONS, PUBLICATIONS & PODCASTS (PARTIAL LIST)

Jan. 2021               Video blog: The Traumatic Impact of Media Humiliation, Misrepresentation and Victim-shaming

Jan. 2021                Podcast: Breaking the Spell of Cancellation

Mar. 2020              Trained Hostage Negotiator instructor Mark Lowther and assisted him in preparing for new trainings

on the difference btween cults vs. polygamists for police workshops

Jan. 2020               Traumatic Media Humiliation and Misrepresentation (poster session)

Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, CA

Jan. 2020               Media Misrepresentation and Humiliation (presentation)

Fielding Graduate University, Santa Barbara, CA

Nov. 2019               The Complications of Helping People from Plural Communities (presentation)

International Cultic Studies Association, Santa Fe, NM

July 2019                Human Trafficking and Combatting Human Slavery (presentation, panelist)

International Cultic Studies Association and Info-sect, Manchester, England

May 2018                Getting to Know the FLDS: An Outsider’s Perspective from a Media and Positive Psychology Lens.

Sunstone Conference

Jan. 2017                 Helping the FLDS in Crisis: What One Outsider Never Expected to Find Behind the FLDS Walls,

Sunstone Magazine

June 2016               Media, Victim-Blaming, Trauma, and Recovery: How Personal and Public Narratives Impact

         Survivors of Traumatic Psychological Manipulation (presentation)

International Cultic Studies Association, Dallas, TX

Sept. 2014              Human Trafficking as a Commercial Cult Mind-Control Phenomenon

International Cultic Studies Association, Washington DC (panelist)

 

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