Dr. Wood grew up in rural southern Idaho the youngest son of an entrepreneur and a renaissance woman. It was in this environment that his curiosity grew and he developed a love of learning, responsibility, integrity and a deep respect for others regardless of background or station. These values and attributes have been a rudder and foundation in his life.

Dr. Wood's curiosity led him to study engineering and then ultimately psychology and sociology at Utah State University. It was during these years that he started to be involved in basic behavioral research, intensive literature reviews and research on marital interactions, leading him to choose a path in marriage and family therapy. Dr. Wood continued his study of marriages through master's and doctoral degrees in Marriage and Family Therapy at Brigham Young University, to which he returned as an adjunct faculty member.

Dr. Wood has a love for variety in his personal and professional life. He thrives when he is able to practice therapy, supervise and teach students, and engage in scholarly research. His therapy work includes extensive experience with marriages, adult survivors of childhood abuse, domestic violence, divorce adjustment and residential treatment of severe eating disorders. He has also been active in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy being a legislative chair, president-elect and president of the Utah Division for Marriage and Family Therapy.

Dr. Wood's greatest achievement is marrying his high-school sweetheart and spending time with their three kids playing in the woods, water or wherever the adventure takes them. You may also find him hanging out at the golf course or fly-fishing (even in Kentucky). He is thrilled to be here at the University of Kentucky!

Research

• Exploring the effects of attachment on perception of couples.
• Exploring relationships between relational health and health behaviors.
• Studying the influence of therapeutic and educational interventions on health care utilization.
• Analyzing ways to apply spatial statistics to family data.