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
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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