Ollie Seay
1950 - 2023
Ollie Seay, PhD, passed away September 8, 2023 from a sudden medical complication. A life-long advocate for people with intellectual disability, she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1972, a master’s degree in school psychology from Southwest Texas State University in 1974, and a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Texas in 1991.
Dr. Seay’s work in the field began while volunteering at the Travis State School in 1972. Over her career, her professional roles included teacher and counselor at Wimberley Children’s Center, Chief Psychological Associate at the Brown School’s Ranch Treatment Center, and numerous positions at Austin Travis County Mental Health Mental Retardation Center (now known as Integral Care), including Director of Psychology and Associate Director for Coordination of Services.
In 2003, Dr. Seay opened a part-time private practice, which she continued up to the time of her death. She balanced her clinical practice with service to the field and teaching in the Department of Psychology at Texas State University in San Marcos, where she received the College of Liberal Arts Achievement Award for Excellence in Service in 2018 and was promoted to Clinical Associate Professor in 2022.
A member of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, since 1980, Dr. Seay was preferred to Fellow of the Association in 2019. She was extremely active in the Texas Chapter (TX AAIDD). She served on the board or convention committee of the chapter almost every year since 1999, including terms as president of the board, and routinely presented at the annual TX AAIDD conventions. In 2022, she was presented with the TX AAIDD Knowledge Award for Excellence in Education or Research.
A member of the Texas Psychological Association (TPA), Dr. Seay wrote numerous articles for its periodical, Texas Psychologist, and served as one of the editors (from 2010 to 2022) of its biannual reference book, Texas Law and the Practice of Psychology: A Sourcebook. She served on the board, and committees of the TPA routinely since 2002, including a term as president of the board.
Dr. Seay joined the board of Capacity for Justice in 2003 and served as president from 2010 until her death. The organization provides training for professionals who conduct evaluations and provide forensic testimony to Texas Courts regarding individuals with mental illness, intellectual disability, and/or substance abuse.
Dr. Seay was deeply committed to advocating for and educating others about people with intellectual disability, mental health issues, and forensic considerations for those with complex presentations. She will be missed by her family, those who benefitted from her services, and her many friends and colleagues.
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