In Memoriam
Doctor Ollie Seay
1950 - 2023
Dr. Ollie Seay entered this world in 1950 and sadly passed away all too soon on September 9, 2023. She was an active professional in psychology as well as in the field of intellectual disabilities. She will be missed by many.
Dr. Ollie Seay started her college career at El Centro College in Dallas, Texas in 1968. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1972 and a Master’s Degree in School Psychology from Southwest Texas State University in 1974. Dr. Seay returned to the University of Texas in 1982 and began working on her doctorate. She graduated with her doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Texas in 1991.
Dr. Seay was a strong advocate for persons with intellectual disabilities starting in 1972 when she served as a volunteer at Travis State School as well as a teacher and counselor at Wimberley Children’s Center. She served as the Chief Psychological Associate at the Brown Schools, Ranch Treatment Center from 1974 to 1978. Then, Dr. Seay became the Unit Manager for the Diagnosis and Evaluation Team at Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center (1978-1987), which is now known as Integral Care.
Dr. Seay took a leave of absence from Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center to complete her pre-doctoral internship at the University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston Medical School in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences from July 1987 through June 1988. She returned to Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center in July 1988 to become the Director of Psychology, Associate Director for Coordination of Services and Mental Retardation Psychological Services, and the Mental Retardation Resource Development Coordinator. Dr. Seay remained in those positions until August 2003.
In 2003, Dr. Seay started her own private practice part-time which she continued up to the time of her death. She also began her professional association with Texas State University in San Marcos at the same time. She was initially hired as a Lecturer and in September 2007 became a Clinical Assistant Professor. Dr. Seay taught a variety of psychology courses including an Introduction to Developmental Disabilities which provided an opportunity for younger students to develop an interest in serving these individuals.
Dr. Seay wrote numerous articles for the Texas Psychologist publication and some of them addressed forensic issues related to persons with intellectual disabilities. She also served as one of the editors, from 2010 to 2022, for a reference book which is published every two years entitled Texas Law and the Practice of Psychology: A Sourcebook.
Dr. Seay was also very active in two professional associations: American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Texas Chapter (AAIDD Texas Chapter) and the Texas Psychological Association (TPA). She served on the Board of both of these groups and was a Past President of each association. Dr. Seay served on the Board or Convention Committee of AAIDD Texas Chapter almost every year since 1999. She was on the Board or Committees of TPA routinely since 2001. In addition, Dr. Seay also gave presentations with colleagues routinely at both of these annual professional conferences.
Dr. Seay also served on the Board of Capacity for Justice beginning in 2003. She became the President of Capacity for Justice in 2010 and remained in that role until the time of her death. Capacity for Justice provides training for professionals who complete evaluations and offer forensic testimony to Texas Courts regarding individuals with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and/or substance abuse.
Dr. Seay was an active professional who was involved in advocating and educating others about persons with intellectual disability, mental health issues, and forensic problems including those persons who had more than one of these issues. She will be missed by many professionals, individuals who benefitted from her services, friends, colleagues, and family. RIP