EDUCATION
2007 – 2009
Clinical Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship (APPCN member)
Pediatric Neuropsychology track
University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Psychiatry, Chicago, IL
2006 – 2007
Clinical Psychology Internship (APA approved)
Neuropsychology track
Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Psychology Service, Chicago, IL
2007
Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology (APA approved)
Clinical Neuropsychology Track
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL
(formerly Finch University of Health Sciences / The Chicago Medical School)
Dissertation Project: Structural Characteristics of Cognition in Late Life and its Relationship to Functional Capacity
2003
Master of Science in Clinical Psychology
Finch University of Health Sciences / The Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL
Thesis Project: Effects of Expressive Writing on Cognitive Processing in Men with Prostate Cancer
1996
Bachelor of Music Therapy with Honors in Music Therapy
Minor in Psychology
Summa Cum Laude
Radford University, Radford, VA
Senior Project: Effects of Music Listening on Spatial Reasoning Ability
LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION
2010 – present
Licensed Psychologist in Texas
License # 35048
2009 – 2012
Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Illinois
License # 071.007641
1997 – 2011
Board Certified by the Certification Board for Music Therapists
CLINICAL AND EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
2011 – present
Pediatric Neuropsychologist
Specializations: Stoke, concussion, demyelinating disorders, cardiac defects
Cook Children’s Medical Center, Neurosciences Department, Fort Worth, TX
2009 – 2010
Developmental Neuropsychologist
Private practice contractor with:
Michigan Avenue Neuropsychologists, Chicago and Wilmette, IL
Neurobehavioral Associates, Orland Park and Lake Barrington, IL
2007 – 2009
Postdoctoral Fellow in Clinical Neuropsychology
University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Psychiatry, Chicago, IL
Supervisor: Lisa D. Stanford, PhD, ABPP-CN
Teaching experience: Neuroanatomy Series course coordinator and presenter
Specialized training: Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) Clinical Training
2006 – 2007
Intern in Clinical Psychology
Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Psychology Service, Chicago, IL
Supervisor: Linda Wetzel, PhD, ABPP-CN
2005 – 2006
Extern in Clinical Psychology
Specialization: Pediatric psychotherapy
Lutheran General Hospital Counseling Center, Park Ridge, IL
Supervisor: Anne P. Montague, PhD
2003 – 2004
Extern in Clinical Psychology
Specialization: Pediatric neuropsychology
Lutheran General Children’s Hospital, Park Ridge, IL
Supervisors: Kira Armstrong, PhD, ABPP-CN & I. Casey Smet, PhD
2002 – 2003
Extern in Clinical Psychology
Specialization: Forensic neuropsychology
Isaac Ray Forensic Group, Chicago, IL
Supervisor: Diane S. Goldstein, PhD, ABPP-CN
Special training: Mental Health Law course (Instructor: S. Jan Brakel, J.D.)
2001 – 2006
Neuropsychology Technician
Lutheran General Hospital and Lutheran General Children’s Hospital, Park Ridge, IL
2000 – 2002
Extern in Clinical Psychology
Specializations: Cognitive assessment and rehabilitation psychology
University of Illinois at Chicago, Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Psychology, Chicago, IL
Supervisor: Linda Laatsch, PhD
2001 – 2002
Extern in Clinical Psychology
Specialization: Adult and pediatric psychotherapy
Niles Family Services, Niles, IL
Supervisor: Jan Syslo, PhD
2001
Training in Neurologic Music Therapy
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
2000
Extern in Clinical Psychology
Specialization: Adult inpatient psychotherapy
Elgin Mental Health Center, Elgin, IL
Supervisor: Peter Demuth, PsyD
1997 – 1999
Music Therapist
TriCare Behavioral Health Centers, Kingsport and Bristol, TN
1996 – 1997
Activities Therapist
Indian Path Medical Center and Indian Path Pavilion, Kingsport, TN
1996 – 1997
Music Teacher
Creative Learning Center preschool, Bristol, VA
1995 – 1996
Intern in Music Therapy
Specialization: Pediatric music therapy
William Patrick Day Early Childhood Center, Cleveland, OH
Supervisor: Jacquie Dimmick, MA, MT-BC
1995 – 1996
Music Specialist
Camp Virginia Jaycee, Blue Ridge, VA
SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE PRESENCE
Website: www.CarlaMortonPhD.com
Facebook: Carla Hearl Morton, PhD (@CarlaMortonPhD)
Dr. Carla Morton for Science and Social Justice (@VoteMortonTX)
Twitter: @CarlaMortonPhD
@VoteMortonTX
LinkedIn: Carla Hearl Morton (www.linkedin.com/in/CarlaHearlMorton)
MEDIA AND PRESENTATIONS
Morton, C.H. (2019). How do pediatric strokes affect cognitive functioning?
Video for Cook Children’s Healthcare System, Ft Worth, TX
https://youtu.be/-oUe6yYpZlo
Morton, C.H. (2019). How Can A Child With A Neurological Condition Receive Academic Help?
Video for Cook Children’s Healthcare System, Ft Worth, TX
https://youtu.be/LG4AhSmTYg8
Morton, C.H. (2018 & 2019). Teaching Children How to Evaluate Information on Social Media
Invited presentation for community groups, including:
Rotary Club of Hurst-Euless-Bedford, Hurst, TX
Jefferson Unitarian Church, Ft Worth, TX
Morton, C.H. (2018). Engagement in Professional and Community Service
Invited presentation for Interact Club at Grapevine High School, Grapevine, TX
Morton, C.H. (2018). Sex Education and LGBTQ+ Issues in Texas
Invited presentation for Humanists of Fort Worth, TX
Guirola, R. & Morton, C.H. (2015). Concussion management and update
Presentation at Cook Children’s SPORTS Symposium, Ft Worth, TX
Morton, C.H. (2014). Cognitive, behavioral and emotional effects of concussion in children and adolescents
Grand Rounds presentation at Cook Children’s Medical Center, Ft Worth, TX
Available online at http://av.cookchildrens.org/media/morton090914/
Morton, C.H. (2014). A Stroke at Birth (four-part series)
Cook Children’s Medical Center Check-up Newsroom
http://www.checkupnewsroom.com/en-us/a-stroke-at-birth-1/
http://www.checkupnewsroom.com/en-us/stroke-at-birth/
http://www.checkupnewsroom.com/stroke-at-birth-3/
http://www.checkupnewsroom.com/stroke-at-birth-4/
Morton, C.H. (2014 & 2012). Cognitive and Academic Issues in Children with Sickle Cell Disease
Support group presentation at Cook Children’s Medical Center, Ft Worth, TX
Kelfer, H. & Morton, C.H. (2011). Concussion update
Presentation at Cook Children’s SPORTS Symposium, Ft Worth, TX
Morton, C.H., (2009). Medical Decision-Making in Children and Adolescents: Cognitive, Legal, and Ethical Considerations
Ethics Grand Rounds presentation at the University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL
Morton, C.H., Woodard, J.L., Shannon, K.D., & Gould, F. (2004). Practice Effects and Neuropsychological Change: A Comparison of Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Elderly
Paper presentation at the International Neuropsychological Society national meeting in Baltimore, MD and the Midwest Neuropsychology Group regional meeting in Evanston, IL.
Morton, C.H. (2002). Neuroanatomy and Brain Function: The Basics for Understanding Neurological Research in Music
Workshop presentation at the American Music Therapy Association national meeting in Atlanta, GA.
Bair, J.P., Morton, C.H., & Rodriguez, G. (2002). Music to Enhance Learning in Groups of Combat Veterans
Workshop presentation at the Illinois Group Psychotherapy Society meeting in Chicago, IL.
Morton, C. H. (1996). Music Activities for Young Children
Community presentation, Cleveland, OH
Morton, C.H. (1997). Music Therapy feature
WJHL-TV evening news, Johnson City, TN
PUBLISHED ARTICLES, ABSTRACTS, AND POSTERS
Morton, C.H., Ruocco, A.C. Shanahan, M.A., Voss, M., Stanford, L.D. (2009). Personality disorder assessment in the differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders in adults.
Poster presented at the International Meeting for Autism Research in Chicago, IL.
Morton, C.H., Shanahan, M.A., Kopald, B., Strickland, J.P.M., Stanford, L.D. (2009). Relationship between parental report of executive functioning using the BRIEF and child performance on the TEA-Ch.
Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological Society national meeting in Atlanta, GA.
Shanahan, M.A., Morton, C.H., Kopald, B., Strickland, J.P.M., Stanford, L.D. (2009). The relationship between written expression and executive dysfunction in ADHD.
Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological Society national meeting in Atlanta, GA.
Morton, C.H., Dorflinger, J., Stanford, L.D. (2007). Use of the ADOS in differential diagnosis of language versus autism spectrum disorders. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 21, 416-417.
Poster presented at the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology meeting in Denver, CO.
Morton, C.H., Woodard, J.L., Martin, P. Miller, & Poon, L. (2007). Are Men Super-Survivors?
Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological Society meeting in Portland, OR.
Morton, C.H., Woodard, J.L., Martin, P. Miller, S.L., Davey, A., & Poon, L. (2006). Factor structure of the Severe Impairment Battery.
Poster presented at the Southeastern Regional Student Mentoring Conference in Gerontology and Geriatrics in Lexington, KY and the Midwest Neuropsychology Group meeting in Chicago, IL.
Morton, C.H., (2006). Amazing grace. Voices, 42, 49-53.
Morton, C.H., Woodard, J.L., Dux, M.C., & Pica, A.A. (2005). Performance variations related to number of task trials on a computer-based neuropsychological measure. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 19, 153.
Poster presented at the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology national meeting in Minneapolis, MN and paper presented at the Midwest Neuropsychology Group regional meeting in Madison, WI, May 2004.
Dux, M.C., Woodard, J.L., Morton, C.H., & Pica, A.A. (2005). Indexes of testing variability as measures of effortful performance in computer-based testing. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 19, 149.
Poster presented at American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology meeting in Minneapolis, MN.
Pica, A.A., Woodard, J.L., & Morton, C.H. (2005).The impact of executive functioning and information processing efficiency on semantic clustering during delayed and immediate recall trials of the HVLT-R.
Poster presented at the International Neuropsychological Society meeting in St. Louis, MO.
Zakowski, S.G., Ramati, A., Morton, C., Johnson, P., & Flanigan, R. (2004). Written emotional disclosure buffers the effects of social constraints on distress among cancer patients.
Health Psychology, 23, 555-563.
Morton, C.H. & Laatsch, L.K. (2002). Case example: A CRT – psychotherapeutic approach with a school-age child. Rehabilitation Psychology, 47, 374.
Poster presented at the American Psychological Association meeting in Chicago, IL.
Zakowski, S.G., Ramati, A., & Morton, C.H. (2002). Who benefits from emotional expression: An examination of personality difference among cancer patients.
Poster presented at International Congress of Behavioral Medicine meeting in Helsinki, Finland.
Zakowski, S.G., Ramati, A., Morton, C.H., Felch, N., Flanigan, R., Garrett, S., & Johnson, P. (2002). Individual differences moderate the effects of an emotional disclosure intervention on distress in cancer patients.
Poster presented at Society of Behavioral Medicine meeting in Washington, D.C.
Zakowski, S.G., Morton, C.H., Ramati, A., & Felch, N. (2002). Expressive writing moderates the effects of negative social interaction on distress in cancer patients.
Poster presented at the American Psychosomatic Society Meeting in Barcelona, Spain.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2013 – present
Collaborator, International Pediatric Stroke Society (IPSS) international research network
Cook Children’s Medical Center Stroke Program, Ft Worth, TX
2007 – 2009
Postdoctoral research projects included differential diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and psychiatric conditions in adults, pediatric language disorders, assessment of attention
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
Supervisor: Lisa D. Stanford, PhD, ABPP-CN
2005 – 2006
Sub-investigator, “Divalproex Sodium Extended-Release Tablets for Migraine Prophylaxis in Adolescents: An Open-Label, Long-Term Study”
Lutheran General Children’s Hospital, Park Ridge, IL
Principal Investigator: Nishant Shah, MD
2003 – 2007
Research Assistant, Projects included the NIA-funded Georgia Centenarian Study, sports concussions, computer-based testing
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL
Supervisor: John L. Woodard, PhD
1999 – 2003
Research Assistant, Projects included emotional expression and health in cancer patients
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL
Supervisor: Sandra Zakowski, PhD
1993 – 1995
Music therapy student, Projects included cognitive effects of music listening and influence of personality type on music preference
Radford University, Radford, VA
Supervisor: Joseph Scartelli, PhD
HONORS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
2019
Former Candidate
Fort Worth ISD School Board District 6 Trustee
2019
Lone Star Governance training for school board members
Texas Education Agency
2018 – present
Fort Worth ISD Special Education Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
(co-founder)
Vice President for Legislative Affairs (2018-present)
2018 – present
Key Navigation and Training Institute Task Force member
Key School, Ft Worth, TX
2018
Democratic Nominee
Texas State Board of Education, District 11 position
2017 – 2018
Civic Leaders Fellowship focusing on public education policy
Leadership ISD, Tarrant County, TX
2014 – 2016
Neurosciences Family Advisory Council staff member
Cook Children’s Medical Center, Ft Worth, TX
2007 – 2009
Ethics Committee Visiting Member
University of Illinois at Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL
2007 – 2008
Office for the Protection of Research Subjects
Committee on the Decisionally Impaired in Research
University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL
2006 – 2009
Government Relations Chair, Illinois Association for Music Therapy
AMTA/CBMT State Recognition Task Force, Illinois Chair
2006
National Endowment for the Arts Student Travel Stipend
2005 – 2006
Campus Representative for the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students Advocacy Coordinating Team
2001 – 2005
Court Appointed Special Advocate
Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Department of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chicago, IL
1998
Kids on the Block disabilities awareness puppeteer
Abilities Network, Abingdon, VA
1995
Volunteer Classroom Assistant
Head Start, Bristol, VA
1995
Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women
Sword of Honor
College Honor Certificate
1993
- Thayer Gaston Writing Competition National Winner
Research Title: A Comparison of Personality Type and Musical Preference
1992 – present
Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity for Women
President, Eta Upsilon chapter (1994 – 1995)
Recording Secretary, Eta Upsilon chapter (1993 – 1994)