Athena Project

Listen to WUMR's interview with Dr. Gayle Beck about the Athena Project.

Domestic violence, including physical, sexual or emotional abuse, affects millions of women each year. This abuse can result in not only physical injuries, but emotional problems as well. These problems can include but are not limited to:

Frequent Memories of the Violence and Abuse
Trouble Concentrating
Being Jumpy or Irritable
Depression
Anxiety

These reactions are normal but sometimes these feelings get in our way. We would like to help you move past these negative emotional responses to domestic violence and abuse.

The Athena Clinic offers free evaluation and treatment services for women who are experiencing emotional difficulties following relationship violence.

Benefits

Evaluations are free and confidential. If you request, the results of your evaluation may be given to your doctor or lawyer.

Evaluation

The evaluation takes 2-3 appointments at the University of Memphis campus. You will be asked to talk about the abuse and your current feelings.

Treatment

You may qualify for treatment at our clinic. If treatment is not the best choice for you, we will provide you with referrals for other kinds of treatment or support.

Support the Athena Project

If you would like to support the Athena Project, please visit the Online Giving form. Or contact Dr. Gayle Beck for other options.

Information

Click below to expand topic.

>Directions

From the East on I-40
Follow the Sam Cooper Blvd. signs (it will split off of I-40 to the left). Take the Highland St. exit and go left/south onto Highland. After four lights, turn left/east on Central.
See Map for directions to Psychology Building and Parking Options

From the West on I-40
Take the Riverside Dr. exit and go right/south onto Riverside Dr. Turn left/east on Union Ave. (Union will change names to Walnut Grove). Turn right/south on Highland. Turn left/east on Central.
See Map for directions to Psychology Building and Parking Options

From the North on I-55
Follow I-40 signsGo east on I-40Take the Riverside Dr. exit and go right/south onto Riverside Dr. Turn left/east on Union Ave. (Union will change names to Walnut Grove) Turn right/south on Highland. Turn left/east on Central.
See Map for directions to Psychology Building and Parking Options

From the South on I-55
Take the I-240 exit to Nashville (keep right). Take the Getwell North exit (exit 20B). Follow Getwell north until it ends at Park Ave. Turn right/east onto Park Ave.Drive one block and turn left/north onto Goodlett St. Cross the railroad tracks to Central Ave. Turn left/west on Central.
See Map for directions to Psychology Building and Parking Options

From the North on Hwy. 51
Just south of Millington, turn left/east onto Paul Barret Pkwy. (also TN 385)Turn right/west onto I-40Follow the Sam Cooper Blvd. signs (it will split off of I-40 to the left)Take the Highland St. exit and go left/south onto HighlandAfter four lights, turn left/east on Central.
See Map for directions to Psychology Building and Parking Options

From the South on Hwy. 78
Take the Perkins St. exit and go right/north onto Perkins. Turn left/west on Park Ave. Turn right/north on Goodlett. Turn left/west on Central.
See Map for directions to Psychology Building and Parking Options

>Information for Healthcare Providers

The Athena Project is a research clinic. Our focus is on working with women who have experienced domestic violence. We start off with an assessment that is focused on how the woman is coping emotionally. For many people, the assessment suggests that some form of treatment (counseling) might be helpful. We are in the midst of developing a specialized treatment for women who are having trauma-related problems stemming from their experience of domestic violence. We also have a large referral network and can suggest a care provider who has the skills to help if our program is not appropriate. Typically, we ask that the woman complete the assessment first, in order to personalize the treatment recommendation.

All of our services are offered at no charge. As well, if the woman would like a copy of her assessment report sent to her doctor or lawyer, we are happy to do that with a signed release.

>Related Publications

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Efficacy of Group Treatment for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, and Practice

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Understanding the relationship of perceived social support to posttrauma cognitions and posttraumatic stress disorder.

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What Predicts the Trajectory of Rumination?: A Prospective Naturalistic Evaluation.

Post-trauma symptoms following indirect exposure to the September 11th terrorist attacks: The predictive role of dispositional coping.

Understanding the relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and trauma cognitions: The impact of thought control strategies.