2024 March - Career Achievement Award - Dr. Maureen Brennan

Dr. Maureen Brennan, the recipient of Connections' 2023 Career Achievement Award, is a licensed clinical psychologist. In 2022, Dr. Brennan retired from 39 years in private practice. For 38 of those years, she was co-owner of The Lafayette Psychology Center. As one of the very first female mental health professionals in Acadiana, Dr Brennan devoted her life to the welfare of children. Her dedication to cultural arts and education has profoundly enriched our community. 

Not only is Dr. Brennan regarded as a psychologist with a sterling reputation for her compassion, expertise, and professionalism, she is equally regarded for her dedication to Arts and Culture in Acadiana. She served as president of the Lafayette Community Theater, president of Festival International de Louisiane, and is the founder and executive director emerita of Cité des Arts. Dr. Brennan began working on bringing her vision to reality in 2000, as she sought to turn an abandoned area at the back of the old Evangeline Hotel into what would become Cité des Arts. Although many doubted the success of the project, through her determination and fundraising, her vision was realized, and Cité des Arts opened in 2002. Because of her tireless efforts, Cité des Arts has become a diverse and inclusive space for the development of grassroots Arts and Culture programming. She has received numerous awards and citations from the French Government, Rotary International, and many non-profit organizations.

Dr. Brennan earned her PhD from North Texas State University, her Masters of Science in Applied Psychology from University of Louisiana Lafayette, and her Bachelor of Science in Clinical/Industrial Psychology from the University of Tulsa.

Her work experience prior to making Acadiana her home included assignments in Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas, serving in both the private and public sectors of family mental healthcare.

She has presented her research and publications worldwide to audiences such as the European Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapies in Istanbul, Turkey, the Mid-South Sociological Association of Baton Rouge Louisiana, the Southwest Psychological Association of Dallas, Texas, the Biofeedback Society of America Annual Meetings in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and in San Diego, California.

She has given numerous workshops to local, state, national and international audiences. Topics have ranged from Women and Stress Prevention, Treatment of Sexual Abuse, to Treatment of Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse. She also provided training workshops to a variety of community groups including Louisiana Psychological Association, Louisiana Public Defenders’ Association, and a variety of other mental health organizations. Her forensic expertise has often been called upon by state and federal courts as expert witness for both the prosecution and the defense as her honesty and objectivity are known to be beyond reproach.

The Louisiana Psychological Association, Louisiana Public Defenders Association, Kerry (Ireland) Rape Crisis Center, Texas Association of Marriage and Family Counselors, and Texas Psychological Association are a few of the many organizations who have utilized Dr. Brennan’s expertise.

Dr. Brennan has served on the Boards of Directors of the Louisiana Council on Child Abuse and our local Rape Crisis Center. She was a founding member of the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Board, which began the teen court program in Lafayette Parish. She was the first Executive Director of Teen Court. Dr. Brennan has made frequent radio and television appearances, primarily on issues related to childcare, child abuse and perpetrator treatment. She has testified in the State House and Senate Committees regarding proposed legislation in these areas.

Her own theatrical production company, Benrose Productions, specializes in the development of new and multi-cultural pieces. She served ten years as president of Lafayette Community Theater, and has experience as an actress, director, producer, and “techie.” She has had two of her own plays produced locally and one in California. 

Dr. Brennan served also on the board of the Acadiana Arts Council, Artists’ Alliance. She is the President of France-Etas Unis and, as such, was honored at a reception in Paris by Ambassador Pamela Harriman at the Ambassador’s Residence. During the early days of the creation of the French Immersion language program, Dr. Brennan's contacts in France agreed to ship thousands of French books for our children here in Lafayette Parish schools.

Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of the South Louisiana Bluegrass Association.

Dr. Brennan is the mother of three grown children, and the grandmother of eight.

Many thanks to our March Meeting Sponsor:

Dr. Catherine McGee, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, Lafayette, LA

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