A Brief Biography

Dr. Ellen, a William & Mary graduate alum, is an international photojournalist with major projects in South Africa, Namibia, Singapore, Australia, Suriname, Provence, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Florida wetlands over the last decade.

She also specializes in historic Williamsburg imagery, Virginia flora and fauna, Tennessee and Florida travel and conservation imagery, and photo-driven children's books. WILLI GETS A HISTORY LESSON is the first in a series of children's books to come.

Dr. Rudolph is well known in Virginia as an experienced Bowen family therapist, public speaker, educator, and photojournalist. She was a member of the psychology faculty at Thomas Nelson Community College from 2000-2005, and in prior years served as adjunct faculty at the College of William & Mary, Old Dominion University, and in Eastern State Hospital's psychiatric residency program. In addition, she was a senior staff psychologist in the Virginia community mental health system, a post which she held for many years.

Some of Dr. Ellen's consultative experiences over the year include: author of many family studies publications from 1970-1998; appearances on network television and public radio; mental health columnist for various Virginia newspapers; workshop presenter and keynote speaker for local, state and national conferences and conventions in social work, psychology, counselor education, primary school education, higher education, nursing, emergency rescue services, medicine, and law; long-time systems consultant for hospital ER's and ICU's and local governments; as well as psychology in the courtroom consultations to Virginia courts.

She is perhaps most well known for her 14 years as President of the Williamsburg Area S.P.C.A. where she spearheaded the establishment of a much-needed program of orphaned wildlife rehabilitation and rescue services, and raised public awareness about the welfare of all animals. Her work with animals is legendary.

As an educator, Dr. Ellen is also known for her diverse newspaper columns and essays. Go to Dr. Ellen's Weblog to sample some of her current writings.

Dr. Ellen is widely read in theoretical physics, conservation biology, and living systems theory. Besides physicist David Bohm, her personal mentors over the years have included physicist Fritjof Capra, biologist Paul Weiss, Dr. Murray Bowen of the Georgetown Family Center (a pioneer of family theory),GAIAN scientists James Lovelock and Lynn Margulis, and E.O. Wilson's work including her favorite of his, The Future of Life.

She is also a musician and noted photographer. You can explore her portfolio site at www.drellenrudolph.com. Upcoming collections include images of the higher elevations of the San Juans around Ouray, Colorado; hot air ballooning in Albuquerque, NM; and Williamsburg's Adams Garden.

She is, as well, a Miata enthusiast, having driven an MX-5 for the last 18 years.

A sequel to WILLI GETS A HISTORY LESSON is in the works. Dr. Ellen is currently writing a new children's book to teach children about the the future of space exploration and its critical role in how we as a species perceive our role in nature.

Other upcoming projects include a children's book on the Australia's wild dog, the Dingo, and also a fanciful one on the special shapes of hot air balloons that thrill children (and adults) worldwide.