William D. Parham, Ph.D.

WILLIAM D. PARHAM, PH.D., is a Professor in the Counseling Program and Interim Director of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership for Social Justice in the School of Education at Loyola Marymount University. He is a licensed psychologist, board certified by the American Board of Professional Psychology who has devoted his career of service to clinical, educational, training, administrative, and organizational consultation venues. He is Past-President of the Society of Counseling Psychology of the American Psychological Association where he also is recognized as a Fellow in Divisions 17, 45 and 47.

For most of his professional career, Dr. Parham has focused on working with athletes across levels (e.g., professional, elite, amateur, collegiate and youth) and across sports (e.g., basketball, football, gymnastics, softball, baseball, track and field, tennis, golf, swimming, volleyball, figure skating). He has also worked with performance artists in drama, theatre and music.

Currently, he serves as the Director of the Mental Health and Wellness Program of the National Basketball Association. In addition, Dr. Parham is a member of the Mental Health and Wellness Task Force of the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and a member of the Mental Health and Wellness Think Tank of the International Society of Sport Psychology (ISSP).

Dr. Parham’s emphasis on personal empowerment, discovering and cultivating innate talents and looking for hidden opportunities in every situation are trademark foci. Presentations and conversations with domestic and global audiences, articles and book chapters he has authored during the course of his career and his participation on local, state and national boards, committees, task forces, and positions of governance collectively represent the visible ways in which he has tried to make a difference.