Bio
Professor Donna-Maria Maynard has over 30 years of experience in psychology and counselling, with a focus on education, training, and research in the Caribbean. After completing her Masters and gaining clinical experience in the UK, she transitioned to school counselling in Barbados before moving into academia. She has taught psychology and counselling at both undergraduate and graduate levels for over two decades.Her scholarly contributions include research, peer review, and editorial work. She serves on the editorial board of the
Caribbean Journal of Psychology and reviews for international journals. A leader in regional psychology, she has held executive roles in CANPA and served as President of the Barbados Society of Psychology. Professor Maynard remains committed to advancing psychology and counselling in the Caribbean through mentorship, supervision, and professional development.
Qualifications
- Ph.D., The University of the West Indies, 2007
- M.A, The University of Sussex,1994
- B.Sc., The University of Warwick, 1992
- Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning
- The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados, 2011
- Certificate in Personal Coaching.
- The Coaching Academy, The British Psychological Society, London, England, 2008.
- The UWI CETL Research Supervision Development Certificate Course, 2022.
- Registered Clinical Psychologist
- Registered with the Paramedical Professions Council, Ministry of Health, Barbados. Registered under Act Cap. 372C. First registered 1998.
Research Areas
Research Interests and Achievements:
Professor Maynard's teaching and research interests span the subfields of clinical, counselling, and educational psychology. Her work focuses on adolescents, identity development, disabilities, mental illness, sexuality, and psychoological assessment. She also examines critical issues affecting young people, parents, and teachers, contributing to a deeper understanding of psychological well-being in various settings.
She has received the following awards for research and teaching:
- The University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, Principal's Award for Excellence in Research (2019).
- The UWI, Cave Hill, CETL/Guild Recognition Award for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2018).
- The UWI, Cave Hill, Principal’s Award for Excellence in Teaching (2014)
- The UWI Inaugural Campus Research Day Award for best collaborative research (2010)
Main Research Projects:
Ongoing research focuses on ego-resiliency measurement in Barbados, mental health resilience and thriving in the Caribbean, and capacity building for future Caribbean psychologists. She also examines Barbadian teachers’ identification of childhood behavioural challenges and explores Black-Caribbean hair identity through social media. Her work emphasizes cultural relevance and psychological well-being.
Teaching Areas
Undergraduate:
- PSYC1025 – Discovering Psychology: The Science of Humanity
- PSYC1030 – Exploring the Social Self in the Wider World
- PSYC1035 – Psychology of Intimate Relationship & Human Sexuality
- PSYC2004 – Personality Psychology
- PSYC2035 – Positive Psychology: Happiness, Hope & Humanity’s Strengths
- PSYC3017 – Contemporary Personality Theories and Assessment
- PSYC3028 – Psychological Counselling Skills
- PSYC3030 – Clinical Psychology
- PSYC3065 – Psychology of Addiction & Recovery
- PSYC3068 – Health Psychology
- PSYC3069 – Psychology Field Experience
- PSYC3011 – Capstone Research Project in Psychology (Psychology Special & Major)
- PSYC3016 – Psychology Research Proposal (Psychology Minors only)
Graduate:
- EDCL 6000 – School Counselling: Guidance Programmes & Professional Knowledge
- EDCL 6001 – Individual and Group Counselling
- EDCL 6002 – Fundamentals of Practice in Educational and Career Guidance
- EDPS 6900 – Field Placement Practicum
Publications
Maynard, D-M.B., (2023). Capacity Building in Mental Health: Preparing Caribbean Psychologists for the Future. Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, 13(3), 195-204.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JMHTEP-08-2022-0067/full/pdf?casa_token=9SKtUAWLh4AAAAA:0Xs28eqvkpHHiQuKkQKCQJDdLxI3Sn43CfOLsCeXGIbdg_BXS94bAesVLsFvxWsBN6RTWyo7efs6uJKJiuQK_5jxlYgtYyapblN9SYtvdONt9vFMOh2i
Maynard, D. M. B., Jules, M. A., & Marshall, I. A. (2023). Unearthing the common core for reflective teacher training in Antigua and Barbuda, England, and Canada. Power and Education, 15(1), 85-101. https://doi.org/10.1177/17577438221109916
Jules, M. A., Maynard, D-M. B., & Atherley, P. (2022). Exploring Caribbean Lecturers’ Psychological Competencies for Blended-Learning Practice [Special Issue] Social and Economic Studies, 71(1&2),
Marshall, I. A.,z & Jules, M. A. (2022). Exploring Organisational Commitment of Teachers in Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. Journal of Education and Development in the Caribbean, 20(1&2). Advance online publication. https://www.mona.uwi.edu/soe/publications/jedic/article/1569
Griffith, S. F., Maynard, D. M. B., & Bagner, D. M. (2022). Barbadian teachers’ identification of social-emotional, behavioral, and learning challenges in young children. International Journal of School & Educational Psychology, 10(1), 29-45. https://doi.org/10.1080/21683603.2020.1802377
Jules, M. A., Maynard, D-M. B., Lowe, G., Lipps, G. A., & Gibson, R.C. (2021) A psycho-social analysis of depression, anxiety, and student engagement: Effects of parenting practices. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 26(1), 110-120. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104520972447
Maynard, D-M.B., & Jules, M. A. (2021). Exploring Her Roots: Black-Caribbean Hair Identity and Going Natural Using Social-Media Networks. The Journal of Black Psychology, 47(1), 3-30.
Jules, M. A., Maynard, D.-M. B., & Coulson, N. (2021). Youth Drug Use in Barbados and England: Correlates with Online Peer Influences. Journal of Adolescent Research. 36(3), 274 – 310. doi:10.1177/0743558419839226
Additional Info
- Registered Clinical Psychologist under the Paramedical Professions Act Cap. 372C, Barbados
- Past President of the Barbados Society of Psychology
- American Psychological Association, International Affiliate Member
- Former member of the Paramedical Professions Council of the Ministry of Health
- Past President of the Barbados Association of Guidance Counsellors
- Member of the Caribbean Alliance of National Psychological Associations (CANPA)
Keywords
Psychology, Education, Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, Counselling, Group Process, Career Guidance, Psychoeducational Assessment, Learning Disabilities, Adolescence, Emerging Adulthood, Pre-Service Teacher Training, Special Needs Education, Friendships, Peer Influence, Health-Risk Behaviours, Sexual Prejudice, Sexuality, Learned Helplessness, Depression and Anxiety, Identity, Coping Strategies, Sexting.
